NATIONAL AND LOCAL NATIONAL AND LOCAL GENDER INSTRUMENTS GENDER INSTRUMENTS

AND INSTITUTIONSAND INSTITUTIONSWomen and Government

The National Democratic Institute

• Introductions• Ground rules• Ice breaker exercise

INTRODUCTIONS/INTRODUCTIONS/GROUND RULESGROUND RULES

Photo by Marie-Eve_NDI-Pakistan

SESSION OBJECTIVESSESSION OBJECTIVES

• To increase awareness of instruments for promoting gender equality at all levels of government

• To identify challenges and strategies for promoting gender equality in government institutions

TOPICSTOPICS

• National Gender Machineries• Constitutional and Legal

Frameworks for Gender Equality• Gender and the Legislature

KEY TERMSKEY TERMS

• Gender equality• Gender mainstreaming• Gender machinery• Gender committee• Gender caucus

NATIONAL GENDER NATIONAL GENDER MACHINERIES (NGMS)MACHINERIES (NGMS)

• Mechanisms can include: Ministries for women's affairs,

gender and development Gender desks/focal points Local level mechanisms

Photo: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

WOMEN’S AND GENDER WOMEN’S AND GENDER AFFAIRS MINISTRIESAFFAIRS MINISTRIES

• Role of Women’s Affairs Ministry: promote women’s empowerment coordinate all women related

policy

• Role of Gender Affairs Ministry: identify discrepancies between

sexes implement and monitor gender

mainstreaming policy

WOMEN’S AND GENDER WOMEN’S AND GENDER MINISTRIESMINISTRIES

• Advantages: high-level coordination of policy

implementation

• Disadvantages: can be an excuse to ignore or

limit gender mainstreaming efforts

often grouped with other issues

GENDER FOCAL POINTS GENDER FOCAL POINTS AND GENDER DESKSAND GENDER DESKS

• Role: Ideally an expert in gender and

the ministry focus area Mainstreaming gender into each

ministry Monitoring progress Advising on gender policy

GENDER FOCAL POINTS GENDER FOCAL POINTS AND GENDER DESKSAND GENDER DESKS

• Advantages: integrated potential to affect policy and

budgetary provisions

• Disadvantages: lower-level staff lack of support of ministry

leadership

LOCAL LEVEL MECHANISMSLOCAL LEVEL MECHANISMS• Role:

Gender equality in local policy and programs

Local concerns to national level Direct services and training to

women

Photo: The Advocacy Project

LOCAL LEVEL MECHANISMSLOCAL LEVEL MECHANISMS

• Advantages: Direct connection with

grassroots Can adapt to local needs

• Disadvantages: Inconsistency Lack of resources Entrenched interests

CHALLENGES FOR NGMSCHALLENGES FOR NGMS

Can be•Marginalized•Political tool to gain women’s support•Lack data and research capacity•Lack adequate funding and authority

STRATEGIES FOR NGMSSTRATEGIES FOR NGMS

• Independent advisory council • Adequate authority and funding• Transparency and inclusion• Engage grassroots and NGOs • Public awareness and strong leadership• Capacity building

EXERCISE: NGM Role PlayEXERCISE: NGM Role PlayRead through your role play scenario

- What tools are at your disposal?

CONSTITUTIONS & LEGAL CONSTITUTIONS & LEGAL FRAMEWORKSFRAMEWORKS

Where are the women??

Photo: Thomas B. Rossiter

CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFTING PROCESSDRAFTING PROCESS

• Composition of drafting committees

• Consult and educate citizens • Influence the political and

electoral system

Photo: From NDI South Sudan Citizen Guide

GENDER SENSITIVE GENDER SENSITIVE CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL

PROVISIONSPROVISIONS• A blanket equality clause• CEDAW and human rights

treaties • Full and equal citizenship• Full and equal inheritance and

land rights• Political quotas across sectors• Temporary special measures

INTERNATIONAL LAW & INTERNATIONAL LAW & CUSTOMARY/RELIGIOUS CUSTOMARY/RELIGIOUS

LAWLAW

EXAMPLE: SOUTH AFRICA EXAMPLE: SOUTH AFRICA

Photo: NDI, 1994

EXERCISE: Constitutional Gender EXERCISE: Constitutional Gender MainstreamingMainstreaming

Libyan women active in transition, lined up to vote.

Photo: Megan Doherty for NDI

GENDER EQUALITY LAWSGENDER EQUALITY LAWS

• Anti-discrimination laws• Employment opportunity• Equal pay for equal work• Educational equality• Land rights• Inheritance• Citizenship• Travel

FORMULATION OF FORMULATION OF GENDER EQUALITY LAWSGENDER EQUALITY LAWS

• Participatory and inclusive• International standards• Cover all spheres• Gender mainstream existing laws• Institutionalize implementation

and monitoring

Always conduct a baseline analysis to know what is already in effect and what has been tried before.

Always conduct a baseline analysis to know what is already in effect and what has been tried before.

GENDER ACTION PLANS GENDER ACTION PLANS

• Commitments to promote equality• Specific targets• Tool for monitoring progress• Increase accountability

Be Specific! Specific Actions Specific Targets Specific Timelines Specific Responsibilities Specific Resources

Be Specific! Specific Actions Specific Targets Specific Timelines Specific Responsibilities Specific Resources

EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

Harmonize with international standards

Assign authority Dedicate financial resources Monitor and report on progress Gender training

Photo: Wakalani (Flickr)

GENDER IN THE GENDER IN THE LEGISLATURELEGISLATURE

• Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses Informal women legislators

group Provides capacity building

• Gender Affairs Committees Wide gender mainstreaming

mandate• Gender Commissions

Institutionalized

GENDER IN THE GENDER IN THE LEGISLATURELEGISLATURE

• Challenges: Limited budget or staff Marginalization

• Opportunities: Point of contact Cross-party support Connect with civil society

STRATEGIES FOR GENDER STRATEGIES FOR GENDER IN THE LEGISLATUREIN THE LEGISLATURE

• Use international conventions and holidays

• Use research and data• Work with men

STRATEGIES FOR GENDER IN STRATEGIES FOR GENDER IN THE LEGISLATURETHE LEGISLATURE

• Develop relationships• Establish a staff• Focus on a few priority actions

each session

EXERCISE: Caucus EXERCISE: Caucus Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning

Photo- UN Photo, 1946 Birth of the Commission on the Status of Women

GENDER INSTRUMENTS AND GENDER INSTRUMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONS REVIEWREVIEW

• National Gender Machineries• Constitutional and Legal

Frameworks for Gender Equality• Women and Legislatures

Gender Affairs Committees and Caucuses

Questions? Feedback?