Gender mainstreaming is the globally accepted strategy for sustainable development. The concepts of women empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and sustainable development are illustrated in this chapter. Numerous strategies are proposed from different parts of the globe, but these strategies are contextual in the sense that those applicable and successful in one country may not prove to be effective in another country. Since gender operates in innumerable subtle ways and its implications vary with time and space, the gender mainstreaming strategies also would vary accordingly. Women do not represent a homogenous group, and hence, the question of intersectionality should be of prime importance while designing strategies for women empowerment. The inclusion of all genders including transgender and other sexual minorities also should be taken care of to ensure sustainable development. The new dimensions and the shift in focus required with regard to the existing strategies of women empowerment are discussed in the chapter.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. (Ki-Moon, 2015)
TopConcept Of Gender Mainstreaming
Mainstreaming is not an end in itself but a means to achieve the goal of gender equality by ensuring that gender perspective is central to all activities - development, research, advocacy, dialogue, legislation, resource allocation and planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects. Whenever new programs or policies are formulated, their implications on the lives of men and women, their specific needs and requirements, whether both the groups will be equally benefitted or whether one group requires more inputs, and if so, the underlying reasons, whether more allocation of funds or relaxation is needed for one group etc are analyzed before making the final decision regarding the design and scope of any program. Since women have been discriminated and sidelined for centuries together, they need to be compensated for the past discriminations through gender mainstreaming, thus giving a special focus on women empowerment.
Gender mainstreaming is a concept focusing on establishing equality through policies and institutional practices. The concept of “mainstreaming” must be understood as opposite to “undercurrent” policies and practices, and it implies that the gender equality policies, procedures, and practices are built into the general policies, and not something remaining on the sidelines. Gender mainstreaming implies that gender equality policies and perspectives are integrated and mainstreamed (Faber et al., 2017).The general objective of gender policies is to achieve gender equality and equity in all sectors and at all levels, considering the link between gender and development (Guzura, 2017).