Gender Mainstreaming

from theory to praxis

Overview
Changing thinking and practice on women, gender and development
WID, WAD and GAD Rise and fall of gender mainstreaming

Understanding gender mainstreaming

Defining the terms Moving forward with change in organisations

Changing Thinking and Practice on Women, Gender and Development

Theory and Policy: WID, WAD and GAD

Women in Development
Rooted in modernisation theory and liberal feminist ideas on equality Economic change = empowerment Rise of micro-credit policies and the recognition of women in productive economy

Theory and Policy: WID, WAD and GAD

Women and Development
Rooted in dependency theory and Marxist feminist ideas Economic change = empowerment Advocated no real policy change around involving women in the development process

Theory and Policy: WID, WAD and GAD

Gender and Development
Rooted in post-development theory and post-structuralist critiques in feminism Economic change empowerment (e.g. micro credit) Refocus on gender relations and roles above women as a category Gender women Effective poverty reduction is gender aware

GAD Ideas and Concepts

Equality vs. inequality Roles, identity and value Empowerment and power Beyond household analysis Practical vs. strategic interests Double burden Men and masculinities Gender mainstreaming

Where are we today?

Rise of gender mainstreaming as solution to global gender inequality and poverty Disillusionment with gender mainstreaming as solution Re-emergence of womens rights as focus in development policy
Tempered by GAD thinking

Dual approach adopted in organisations Gender mainstreaming is still important

Understanding Gender Mainstreaming

What is Gender Mainstreaming?

5 minutes discussion in groups of 2-3 Note down key ideas

the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. It is a strategy for making womens as well as mens concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality. (ECOSOC 1997/2)

an organisational strategy to bring a gender perspective to all aspects of an institutions policy and activities, through building gender capacity and accountability. [] With a mainstreaming strategy, gender concerns are seen as important to all aspects of development; for all sectors and areas of activity, and a fundamental part of the planning process. Responsibility for the implementation of a gender policy is diffused across the organisational structure, rather than concentrated in a small central unit. (Baden and Reeves, 2000: 9)

All clear now? Perhaps not

Three point definition:
Process organisational change Output gender aware policy and practice Goal gender equality in society

Lack of process element is the short fall of current definitions and actions Confusion over means with ends

Moving forward
Understanding institutional vs. developmental politics Creating institutional change around GAD is not just a technical process Need to tackle norms and values move beyond organisational imperatives to staff and their beliefs

Creating change involves

Norm change:
Organisational structures, policies, checks and balances

Value change:
Creating desire (challenging beliefs) Building capacity Raising confidence

Mentoring on Gender
Pilot project in Commonwealth Education Fund programme (4 out of 16 countries) Promoted a long term process approach to gender mainstreaming Mentor responsible for supporting staff in partner organisations on gender Provided formal training workshops on issues relevant to them but also work with them after meetings The mentor helped the staff work through issues not provide the answers or technical advice The impacts were substantial on the way staff in the organisations embraced gender and carried out their work

Further reading
Chant, S (2000). From 'Women-blind' to 'Man-kind': Should Men have More Space in Gender and Development. IDS bulletin 31(2). Cornwall, A, E Harrison and A Whitehead (2007). Feminisms in Development: Contradictions, Contestations and Challenges. London, Zed. Pilek, N (2008). Is this really the end of the road for gender mainstreaming? Getting to grips with gender and institutional change in The challenge of development alternatives: Can NGOs make a difference? edited by S Hickney, A Bebbington, and D Mitlin. London: Zed Books. Sweetman, C (2005). Gender and Development: Mainstreaming - A critical review 13(2).