| Definition |
Gender mainstreaming is an organisational strategy to bring a gender perspective to all aspects on an institution?s policy and activity, through building gender capacity and accountability. The Beijing Platform of Action in 1998 specifically called on governments to adopt this approach so that the interests and needs of women (as well as those of men) must be systematically pursued in the formation of all government policies and programmes. Responsibility for the implementation of gender policy is diffused across the organisational structure, rather than concentrated in a small central unit. Such a process of mainstreaming has been seen to take one of two forms. The agenda-setting approach to mainstreaming seeks to transform the development agenda itself whilst prioritising gender concerns. The integrationist approach brings women?s and gender concerns into all of the existing policies and programmes, focusing on adapting institutional procedures to achieve this. |
