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Institutionalising Gender Equity Goals in the Policy Process

Author: N Kabeer
Date: 2003
Size: 36 pages (10 KB)

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Summary

Is there a trade off between gender equality and pro poor growth? How gender sensitive have Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) been and how effective are gender-responsive budget (GRB) analyses? Naila Kabeer, for the Commonwealth Secretariat, examines evidence and case studies from a range of developing countries to assess these issues. Women’s agency and the promotion of gender equality can and should play a central role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This paper is part of a book focusing on gender equality as an MDG in its own right and as a route to more effective achievement of other MDGs. Pro-poor growth has been identified as a key route to poverty reduction. The interaction between promoting gender equality and economic growth is explored as well as the various strategies for institutionalising gender competencies in the policy process. The relationship between macro economic policies and human development is examined. Evidence is also considered from PRSP consultation processes and implementation, GRBs and examples of women actively influencing policy from various countries.

Promotion of gender equality and pro poor economic growth are complementary objectives, yet have not been sufficiently pursued through the initial round of PRSPs.

• There is little evidence to support the view that there is a trade off between gender equality and pro poor growth. It is not possible to move directly into a virtuous cycle of human development and economic growth via an emphasis solely on economic growth.
• Economic growth per se has a weak effect on gender equality. Achieving gender equality is as much a question of social values, political commitment and public action as it is availability of resources.
• There is no one-size fits all formulae; macro economic strategies must be based on understanding various synergies, trade offs and prejudices in different contexts. Women’s interests and agencies are critical here.
• Less than half of the first round of PRSPs discussed gender issues in detail. Even fewer integrated gender analysis into strategy, resource allocation and monitoring and evaluation sections.

PRSPs have been heavily influenced by the World Bank and IMF, and have not been sufficiently gender sensitive or nationally-owned. Insights for future action for more gender sensitive policy making include:

• Orthodox economic thinking including ‘deflationary’ bias, ‘marketisation’ bias and the ‘male breadwinner’ bias are gender biased. Policy makers should understand that public expenditure to promote human development can feed into longer term economic growth, and achieve other goals of poverty reduction and social justice. More should also be done to promote market access for the exports of the world’s poorer countries.
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  Participation and ownership is critical to effective policy making at national as well as sectoral level, and should be grounded in gender-aware poverty analysis.

• GRBs can promote greater transparency of the policy process, help to match policy intent with resource allocation, strengthen accountability and highlight new policy options.
• A Gender Management System (GMS) has been developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat. It offers concepts and methodologies to address the continuing lack of mainstreaming of gender in policy-making institutions.
• Grassroots civil society action is critical and the new stress on participation must be seized as an opportunity by both women and men.

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Source: Kabeer, N., 2003, ‘Institutionalising Gender Equity Goals in the Policy Process’ in Gender Mainstreaming in Poverty Eradication and the MDGs A handbook for policy-makers and otherstakeholders’ ed., N Kabeer, Commonwealth Secretariat/IDRC/CIDA, London, Chapter 8