Mainstreaming Concept and Strategy

Egalité hommes femmes regards sur l’EuropeNarbonne March 4th, 2011

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Outline

Small History of the concept The Definition and analysis Tools How it works in Belgium and Flanders

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History

Idea of GM started in UNO environment Western Countries 1995 Women’s World Conference in Beijing Picked up by Council of Europe and European

Union Focus now on Council of Europe

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Council of Europe (CoE)

Committee on Equality for Women and Men (CDEG)

Working group on Mainstreaming Pioneering work Report in 1998

started an informal network on MS that meets every year in september

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What is Mainstreaming ?

Definition

Gender Mainstreaming is the (re)organisation, improvement, development and evaluation of policy processes, so that a gender equality perspective is incorporated in all policies at all levels and at all stages, by the actors normally involved in policymaking.

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When Mainstreaming ?

Which moment in the policy process ? Policy preparing and planning stage Policy deciding stage Policy implementing stage Policy evaluating stage

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Mainstreaming What ?

Which policy areas ? Most policy fields are relevant for gender mainstreaming

because they directly or indirectly have an impact on the life of women and men

One can start with the crucial areas of concern

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Mainstreaming Where ?

Which policy levels ? All levels

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Mainstreaming Who ?

The actors usually involved in policy making process

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Mainstreaming Why ?

One tool – next to others Transversal strategy Systematic Preventive Complementary to EOP

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Prerequisties for Mainstreaming Political will Specific gender equality policy Statistics Comprehensive knowledge of gender relations Knowledge of the administration Necessary funds and Human Resources Participation of both sexes in decision-making

processes

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Tools for Mainstreaming

Gender Budgeting Gender Impact Analysis Research Legislation Statistics and indicators …

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Belgium and Flanders

Flanders started in 1995 Tool: interdepartmental Commission Belgium: law on gender mainstreaming January

12th 2007 Flanders: Open Coordination Method Flanders: decree on anti-discrimination July 10th

2008

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MS Successful Strategy ?

What do you think ?

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