CAPACITY BUILDING FOR GENDER MAINSTREAMING TOPIC MODULE NOTE: This topic module is part of a "Gender Mainstreaming Information Pack" compiled by UNDP's Gender in Development Programme (GIDP). Used as core resource material in the GIDP-managed capacity-building programme of "Learning, Consultation, Briefing" workshops on gender mainstreaming, the Information Pack has been developed to reflect UNDP’s needs in particular, but we hope that it will have wider utility. The complete Information Pack contains material for overheads, speakers' notes and background readings on gender mainstreaming. Materials in the summary section of the collection can be easily used for flip charts, overhead transparencies or computer presentations, as needed. The speaker’s notes amplify the summary section and can be used to help prepare a presentation on gender mainstreaming. For a copy of the Information pack, please contact GIDP. TOPIC MODULE: CONTENTS WHAT IS GENDER MAINSTREAMING? DEFINITIONS OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING SKILLS REQUIRED FOR GENDER MAINSTREAMING GENDER FOCAL POINTS WHAT IS GENDER MAINSTREAMING?   WHAT IS THE MAINSTREAM? WHAT ARE WE BRINGING INTO THE MAINSTREAM? HOW DO WE DO IT? HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE HAVE DONE IT? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MAINSTREAM?   WHAT IS THE MAINSTREAM? Interrelated set of dominant ideas and development directions, and the decisions or actions taken in accordance with those Two aspects: Ideas (theories and assumptions) Practices (decisions and actions) Mainstream Ideas and Practices Determine who gets what Provide a rationale for the allocation of resources Example: Girls are discouraged from taking scientific and technical education (by parents and teachers) because these are considered fields more suitable for boys and men. WHAT IS BEING MAINSTREAMED? The legitimacy of gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in development choices and institutional practices gender equality is recongised not just as "women's issue" but a societal one gender equality goals influence mainstream economic and social poicies that deliver major resources gender equality pursued from the centre rather than from the margins Women as decision-makers about social values and development directions women as well as men in a position to influence the entire agenda and basic priorities Collective efforts by women to redefine the development agenda WHAT IS THE TARGET OF MAINSTREAMING? With a mainstreaming strategy, who or what are we trying to change? the developing country (governmental programmes and the general society) development cooperation programmes development cooperation agencies   WHAT IS THE GOAL OF MAINSTREAMING? Main result or primary goal -> progress towards gender equality in partner countries (Source: Johanna Schalkwyk, Consulant)   UNDP DEFINITION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING "Taking account of gender concerns in all policy, programme, administrative and financial activities, and in organisational procedures, thereby contributing to a profound organisational transformation." Specifically…. "Bringing the outcome of socio-economic and policy analysis into all decision-making processes of the organisation, and tracking the outcome. This includes both the core policy decisions of the organisation, and the small every-day decisions of implementation."   ECOSOC DEFINITION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING "Mainstreaming a gender perspective is the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in any area and at all levels. It is a strategy for making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 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." (E.1997.L.10.Para.4. Adopted by ECOSOC 17.7.97)   BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION ENDORSEMENT The Beijing Platform for action endorses gender mainstreaming as the approach by which goals under each of its thirteen Critical Areas of Concern are to be achieved: "….governments and other actors should promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes, so that, before decisions are taken, an analysis is made of the effects on women and men, respectively." (Platform for Action, Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 1995, paras. 79, 105, 123, 141, 164, 189, 202, 229, 238, 252, 273. Quoted in: Gender Mainstreaming: a strategy for achieving equality between women and men. Schalkwyk, Thomas and Woroniuk. SIDA, 1996.)   SKILLS REQUIRED At both management and operational levels, Gender mainstreaming requires: analytic skills (social and economic analysis) communication/advocacy skills; and decision-making skills.   1. Gender Analysis The Gender Focal Point must be able to act as a principal resource person and reference point in the country office on gender disaggregated information   Identify and understand the cross-cutting hierarchies of difference and inequality, including gender inequalities, in all aspects of political, social and economic life identify the gender impact of macro-economic policy and planning decisions monitor changes in the status of women in the programme country, developing locally-relevant indicators if necessary   2. Advocacy/Communication Gender focal points must be able to advocate successfully for the inclusion of gendered information in all country office products and dialogue: Influence KEY PEOPLE Influence KEY PROCESSES in order to influence development products, such as: Workshops; Speeches and Statements; Programme Documents; Country Cooperation Framework and National Human Development Reports. 3. Decision-making skills Gender Focal Points must understand and contribute to the key decision-making processes in the country office. Listen carefully to, and respect, all points of view Articulate your own point of view assertively Assist colleagues to "survey the field" of relevant information, and remain open-ended and flexible Remain focused on the issue, and assist colleagues to do the same Develop the ability to summarise and consolidate ideas, facilitating the reaching of conclusions Keep good records of the "evolution" of a desired decision   SOME INDICATORS OF SUCCESSFUL GENDER MAINSTREAMING ACTIVITY A gender mainstreaming strategy in place and used, reported upon regularly A gender mainstreaming Briefing Kit prepared on an inter-agency basis, and updated regularly A gender profile for the country in place, developed consultatively Gender mainstreaming training and capacity building activities, planned and completed Responses to the Five Main Challenges in Direct Line 11 recorded, with tracking commitments Programme(s) to support the national programme to implement the Beijing Platform for Action operational Programme(s) to support national efforts in one or more of the strategic priorities for the achievement of gender equality set out in the Human Development Report, 1995, operational A mechanism for regular consultation with women’s and gender-sensitive organisations in place Country specific sets of indicators for tracking progress on gender equality, gender-sensitive policies and changes in gender relations over time, in place and in use.