The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

Table of Contents
Women in Development (WID)
WID is a concept, which denotes an approach that advocates for women Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................... ii
targeted interventions within the mainstream of development so as to improve 1.0 BACKGROUND...................................................................................................... 1
their condition. 1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Legal and Policy Context........................................................................................ 2
Gender and Development (GAD) is an approach that affirms and supports
2.0 Situation Analysis................................................................................................... 3
women's equal role in development. It also questions the direction of develop-
ment, advocates for structural transformation, and insists on the transformation 3.0 Goal, Objectives and Guiding Principles
of gender relations. GAD does not mean a de-emphasis on women, rather its 3.1 Goal........................................................................................................................... 13
goal is women's empowerment and equality of women and men in the 3.2 Purpose of the Uganda Gender Policy................................................................. 13
reproductive as well as productive spheres. 3.3 Objectives................................................................................................................ 13
3.4 Guiding Principles for the implementation of the Uganda Gender Policy............ 14
4.0 POLICY STRATEGIES...................................................................................... 16
5.0 POLICY PRIORITY ACTION AREAS.......................................................... 17
5.1 Gender and Livelihoods......................................................................................... 17
5.2 Gender and Rights.................................................................................................. 18
5.3 Gender and Governance........................................................................................ 19
5.4 Gender and Macro-economic Management....................................................... 14
6.0 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE UGANDA GENDER POLICY................................................................... .22
6.1 Institutional Framework Matrix............................................................................ 23
7.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION............................................................ 29
7.1 Overall evaluation indicators.............................................................................. . 29
8. 0 ENTRY POINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.................................................. 30
8.1 The PEAP................................................................................................................ 30
8.2 The National Integrated M&E Strategy (NIMES)............................................ .30
8.3 Sector Investment Plans and Budget Framework Papers............................... .30
8.4 Local Government Development Plans, Programmes and Budgets.................30
8.5 Data collection systems......................................................................................... 31
9.0 TIME FRAME OF THE UGP............................................................................ 31

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
Acronyms and Abbreviations
and equity budgeting does not produce a separate budget but is an analytical
BFP - Budget Framework Paper tool applied to mainstream budgetary processes.
BPfA - Beijing Platform for Action
CBO - Community Based Organisation
CD - Community Development
Gender based discrimination, is a distinction made on the basis of sex, race,
CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of religion, disability, etc. This leads to exclusion of groups people and individuals
Discrimination Against Women and/or preference being given to others.
CMES - Community Mobilization and Empowerment Strategy
COMESA - Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Gender mainstreaming, is a conscious approach of an organisation to take
CSO - Civil Society Organisation
DRB - Domestic Relations Bill
into account gender equality concerns in all policy, programme, administrative
DWD - Directorate of Water Development and financial activities as well as organisational structures and procedures.
E.O.C - Equal Opportunities Commission
EAC - East African Community It's based on a political decision to work towards and finally achieve the goal of
EC - Electoral Commission gender equality within the organisation thus contributing towards gender
EPRC - Economic Policy Research Centre
FAWE - Forum for Women Educationists
equality in the respective society.
FLS - Forward Looking Strategies
FPAU - Family Planning Association Uganda It involves applying a variety of measures, providing resources (financial,
GAD - Gender and Development human, time, information) and ensuring a process of learning and transforma-
GDP - Gross Domestic Product tion.
HRM - Human Resource Management
ICPD - International Conference on Population and Development
IDPs - Internally Displaced Persons Gender responsive, is the ability of an individual or agency, to take into ac-
IGAD - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development count the social relations of women and men as well as differences in their needs
IMF - International Monitary Fund in any undertaking or decision.
JLOS - Justice, Law and Order Sector
L/MTEF - Long and Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks
LG - Local Government
Gender sensitivity, is being conscious of the different situations and needs of
LGBFP - Local Government Budget Framework Paper women and men, throughout the decision-making process. It entails the ability
LGDP - Local Government Development Programme to recognize the differences in perception and interests between males and fe-
M&E - Monitoring and Evaluation males arising from their different social position and different gender roles.
MAAIF` - Ministry of Agricultural, Animal Industry and Fisheries
MDG - Millennium Development Goals Women's Empowerment, is the process of enhancing women's capacity to
MEMD - Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development take charge of their own development, the process involves enabling women to
MFPED - Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development make their choices, have a say in decisions that affect them, ability to initiate
MGLSD - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development actions for development, change in attitudes, and increased consciousness of
MoD - Ministry of Defence equal access to and control of resources and services in order to take charge of
MoES - Ministry of Education and Sports their opportunities.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

socio-cultural, economic and political development. It can be captured in three MoH - Ministry of Health
MoJCA - Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
dimensions equality in capabilities as in education and health levels; opportuni-
MLH - Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
ties to utilize capabilities to earn incomes and live to full potential; and agency MoLG - Ministry of Local Government
which is the ability to influence outcomes. MoPS - Ministry of Public Service
MSSC - Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee
Gender Equity, is fairness and justice in the distribution of resources, benefits, MTTI - Ministry of Tourism,Trade and Industry
and responsibilities between men and women, girls and boys in all spheres of MWHT - Ministry of Works and Transport
life. MWE - Ministry of Water and Environment
NAADS - National Agricultural Advisory Development Services
Gender Issue, is a point of gender inequality that is undesirable and requires NARO - National Agricultural Research Organisation
NCDC - National Curriculum Development Centre
intervention. It results from some form of gender discrimination or oppression. A DDP - District Development Plan
Gender issue arises when there is inequality, inequity or differentiated treatment NEMA - National Environment Management Authority
of an individual or a group of people purely on the basis of social expectations NEPAD - New Economic Partnership for African Development
and attributes. NGO - Non-Government Organisation
NIMES - National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy
Gender relations, are principally about power. The term gender relations NPA - National Planning Authority
refers to those dimensions of social relations that create differences in the NUDIPU - National Union for Disabled Persons of Uganda
OCHA - Office in Charge of Humanitarian Agencies
positioning of women and men in social processes. Through gender relations, OPM - Office of the Prime Minister
men are often given greater capacity than women to mobilize a variety of PEAP - Poverty Eradication Action Plan
resources and cultural roles. Gender relations consist of social distribution of PMA - Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture
space, the norms governing the space, and the social, political and economic PPA - Participatory Poverty Assessment
rights. Hence, gender relations entail the ways in which a culture or society PPA2 - Second Participatory Poverty Assessment
PSF - Private Sector Foundation
defines entitlements, responsibilities and identities of men and women in relation RDC - Resident District Commissioner
to one another. SDIP - Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan
SME - Small Micro Enterprise
Gender Identity, is our own conception of being male or female and of the SWAPs - Sector Wide Approach to Planning
roles that we consider should accompany that conception of ourselves. This UAC - Uganda Aids Commission
conception often arises from our individual attributes, as well as society's defini- UBoS - Uganda Bureau of Statistics
tion of one's conduct, roles, perceptions and expectations. Gender identity is UGP - Uganda Gender Policy
UHRC - Uganda Human Rights Commission
strongly based on the cultural set up of specific societies. One can be identified UN - United Nations
with either a masculine identity or a feminine identity. UNFA - Uganda National Farmers' Association
UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund
Gender and equity budgeting, is a type of resource allocation that includes UNHS - Uganda National Household Survey
analysis of public revenues and public expenditures from a gender and equity UNICEF - United Nations Children Education Fund
perspective. This means that the budgetary implications for, and impacts on, UPE - Universal Primary Education
UPPAP - Uganda Participatory Poverty Assessment Process
women and girls, compared to men and boys, are considered. Gender
WB - World Bank
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

Foreword Sex roles, arise from the biological differences between women and men and
cannot be changed. Pregnancy is an example of a sex role for women, as only
women have the ability to bear children.
The development of a National Gender Policy (NGP) in 1997, and its revision
in 2007, confirms the Government of the Republic of Uganda's unequivocal Gender roles, are the socially constructed and defined responsibilities for ex-
commitment to take actions that will bring about more equal gender relations. ample, child rearing is a female gender role rather than a female sex role as it
The policy will ensure that all Government policies and programmes, in all areas can be done equally by men or women. Unlike sex roles, gender roles are not
and at all levels, are consistent with the long-term goal of eliminating gender universal and differ in different places and from time to time. They are also
inequalities. changeable and interchangeable.

The Uganda Gender Policy is an integral part of the national development poli- Gender Division of Labour, is the allocation of different tasks, responsibilities
and activities to women and men in households, communities and society
cies. It is a framework for redressing gender imbalances as well as a guide to all
considered socially and culturally appropriate. Gender roles arise from gender
development practitioners. The aim of this policy is to guide all levels of plan-
division of labour.
ning, resource allocation and implementation of development programmes with
a gender perspective. The emphasis on gender is based on the recognition that Gender Needs, are requirements that arise from people's positioning in soci-
"gender" is a development concept useful in identifying and understanding the ety, determined by the socially constructed attributes. Gender needs are nor-
social roles and relations of women and men of all ages, and how these impact mally classified as either practical or strategic.
on development.
Practical Gender Needs, (PGN) are the immediate requirements for addressing
The policy gives a clear mandate to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social an existing problem related to socially ascribed roles and responsibilities. If these
were met, the lives of women and/or men would be improved without changing
Development and other Line Ministries to mainstream gender in all sectors. It
the existing gender division of labour or challenging women's subordinate posi-
sets priority areas of action at the National, Sectoral, District and Community
tion.
levels. The ultimate objective of this policy, therefore, is to evolve a society that
is both informed and conscious of gender and development issues and con- Strategic Gender Needs, (SGN) arise out of the analysis of women's position
cerns. Indeed sustainable development calls for maximum and equal participa- relative to that of men. If SGN are addressed, the existing relationship of un-
tion of both men and women in economic, political and social cultural equal power between men and women is transformed. Intervention at the level
development. of SGN challenges the existing gender division of labour and the position of men
relative to that of women. In the Ugandan context, intervention at the level of
Since the National Gender Policy came into force, it has institutionalised gender SGN may include promoting women's ownership of land.
as a key concept in development work. We have noted over the years that
Gender equality, is the ability of men and women, boys and girls to enjoy the
in the beginning we were mostly concerned with dialogue, advocacy and
same status and have equal opportunity to realise their potential to contribute to
sensitisation.
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assessing progress and impact of service delivery on women and men at local In the first days we had to negotiate and persuade stakeholders for more
level. The development of local government plans and budget frame work integration of women into the development agenda. Later we moved on to
papers too, provide key entry-points for strengthening M&E of gender documentation, capacity building, organizing and reorganizing the National
equality, in line with this policy. Machinery for gender mainstreaming and women's advancement. The recent
past has been a time of re-examining strategies and moving towards gender and
8.5 Data collection systems development. Today, gender mainstreaming is no longer optional but an
obligation. This is exactly what the National Gender Policy has provided for the
The collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination of data and information last ten years.
through the already established periodic surveys, censuses, participatory pov-
erty assessments and other related activities as well as sector MIS are critical This policy makes gender responsiveness mandatory for development
entry points and opportunities for generating gender and sex disaggregated practitioners. In addition it provides an appropriate entry point for those who
data and information for M&E on gender equality. always say, "we do not know how to engender our programmes". For this
category of development workers, my Ministry will provide technical guidance
9.0 TIME FRAME OF THE UGP and back up support. This shall include promotion of gender analysis and
planning skills among all relevant sections, in order to build their capacity to
The time frame for the UGP shall be 10 years (2007-2017). A mid-term evalu- identify, analyse and implement gender responsive programme interventions.
ation of the policy will be carried out within the fifth year of implementation.
Terminal and ex-post evaluations will also be conducted as appropriate. The initiative taken by my Ministry to appraise the effectiveness of the National
Gender Policy is indeed in the right direction. The national development
Glossary process in Uganda has not been static. The adoption of a Poverty Eradication
Action Plan and the Decentralization Policy are major policy shifts that
Affirmative Action, refers to preferential treatment measures for redressing warranted the revision of NGP. This Policy therefore makes clear links to all
inequalities or imbalances in accessing resources, power or opportunities. It is major policy initiatives in Uganda.
a commitment, but of temporary nature.
The challenge ahead of us, therefore, is to ensure that we build on the best
Gender, is the social and cultural construct of roles, responsibilities, attributes, practices and measures articulated in this policy so as to achieve gender equality for
opportunities, privileges, status, access to and control over resources and women and men in Uganda. As we move forward, we now need to keep the gender
benefits between women and men, boys and girls in a given society. mainstreaming process on track in order to accelerate the pace towards achieving
our gender equality targets.
Sex, refers to biological characteristics that make an individual male or female.
Sex differences are God given, universal and unchangeable.
Syda N. M. Bbumba (MP)
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

1.0: BACKGROUND . Proportion of businesses registered by type and sex of owners/promoters.

. Adult literacy rate by sex and location.
. Proportion of girls in leadership positions by level
1.1 Introduction
8. 0 ENTRY POINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Government of Uganda's first National Gender Policy (NGP) was approved
in 1997. The policy provided a legitimate point of reference for addressing 8.1 The Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) 2004/05 - 2007/08
gender inequalities at all levels of government and by all stakeholders. The
PEAP monitoring provides a strategic opportunity and entry point for assessing
major achievements of this policy include among others, increased awareness
progress in the promotion of gender equlity across sectors and levels. This re-
on gender as a development concern among policy makers and implementers at
quires that established mechanisms, indicators and benchmarks for tracking PEAP
all levels; influencing national, sectoral and local government programmes to performance institutionalise reporting on gender outcomes and impacts.
address gender issues; strengthened partnerships for the advancement of
gender equality and women's empowerment and increased impetus in gender 8.2 The National Integrated M&E Strategy (NIMES)
activism.
The NIMES coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is a frame-
work for harmonizing sectoral M&E systems to reduce duplication of efforts
There are however, emerging development issues that have necessitated the and enhance timeliness, quality of data generated and actual use of M&E infor-
mation by decision makers. Monitoring and evaluation of the UGP shall be
revision of the policy. These include among others, government's emphasis on
aligned to and integrated within this framework.
accelerating economic growth; poverty eradication; sector-wide approach to
planning; effective service delivery through decentralization; privatisation; pub- 8.3 Sector Investment Plans and Budget Framework Papers
lic-private-partnership and civil service reforms.
Development and review of Sector Investment Plans, Ministerial policy State-
These emerging developments present new opportunities and challenges in ments and Budget Framework Papers provides opportunities for strengthening
pursuit of gender equality and women's empowerment. To this end, the policy M&E of gender equality, in line with this policy. Sector Management Informa-
has been designed to guide and direct at all levels of planning, resource tion and M&E Systems are therefore critical entry points. Equally important
allocation and implementation of development programmes with a gender entry points for reporting on progress by sectors in addressing gender inequality
are the periodic sector reviews and the public expenditure review.
perspective. The priority areas of focus are, improved livelihoods, promotion
and protection of rights, participation in decision-making and governance, 8.4 Local Government Development Plans, Programmes and Budgets
recognition and promotion of gender in macro-economic management.
The local government assessment processes conducted annually as well as the
Joint Review on Decentralisation (JARD) present an opportunity for
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7.0: MONITORING AND EVALUATION Gender is the social and cultural construct of roles, responsibilities, attributes,
opportunities, privileges, status, access to and control over resources and
Gender issues cut across all development sectors and levels. Therefore assess-
ment of progress, outcomes and impact of interventions to address gender benefits between women and men, boys and girls in a given society.
inequality is a shared responsibility for all development actors and agents. How-
ever, MGLSD shall be responsible for coordinating M&E of the UGP within 1.2 Legal and Policy Context
the overall government monitoring systems and frameworks. The ministry will
act as a catalyst to other sectors on gender responsive monitoring. Process and
output indicators shall be periodically designed and reviewed within the Action The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides overall legal frame work
Plan for the implementation of this policy. Key entry points and opportunities for the Uganda Gender Policy (UGP). It recognizes equality between women
for linking the UGP monitoring and evaluation into existing M&E system is out- and men. Specifically, it provides for gender balance and fair representation of
lined below;
marginalised groups; recognises the role of women in society; accords equal
7.1 Overall Evaluation indicators citizenship rights, freedom from discrimination, affirmative action in favour of
women; and articulates specific rights of women including outlawing customs,
The following overall indicators, among others, will be used to assess the extent traditions and practices that undermine the welfare, dignity and interests of
to which the purpose of the policy is achieved as well as evaluate impact of the
women.
policy on gender equality and women's empowerment.

. Proportion of population below the poverty line by sex of household head. The Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), the overarching national planning
. Proportion of women in decision-making by sector and level. framework, guides public actions to eradicate poverty. The Uganda Gender
Policy is an integral part of the national development process. This, therefore,
. Proportion of population accessing justice by sex.
provides a firm foundation for the PEAP implementation to be based on gender
. Percentage of population accessing public services by sex, sector and
location. responsive strategies. Sector Wide Approaches to planning (SWAPs) and the
. Maternal Mortality Ratio. Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as mechanisms for PEAP
implementation, have the potential to enhance gender focused programming,
. Proportion of girls completing formal education by level.
gender and equity budgeting so that national and local government interventions,
. Incidence of gender based violence by region/location.
expenditures and services benefit both women and men. The UGP contributes
. Proportion of population with registered land by sex and location.
to achieving the national vision and aspirations as espoused in Uganda's Vision
. Proportion of population accessing and utilizing credit schemes sex and
2025.
industry.

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
Institution Roles and responsibilities
The Policy is in conformity with regional and global obligations on gender
equality and women's empowerment that Uganda is party to. At the regional - Promote affirmative action and non-discrimination in the
Equal
level they include: The East African Community (EAC) Treaty (2000), The treatment and enjoyment of human rights irrespective of
Opportunities gender and age;
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Gender Policy Commission (EOC)
(May 2002), The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (July 2003), the - Promote public awareness and acceptance of the equal
Inter Government Authority on Development (IGAD) ,Gender Policy and opportunities and gender equality and treatment in
employment and occupation;
Strategy (July 2004), The New Partnerships for African Development
(NEPAD) through its programmes which is expected to enhance women's - Publish and disseminate guidelines for the implementation
of equal opportunities and gender equality;
human rights through the application of Social Development indicators and The
AU Heads of State Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality (July 2004). - Guide the communities and other organisations on the
awareness of acts, practices, usage, customs, tradition
or cultures that undermine equal opportunities, gender
The global level instruments include: The Convention on Elimination of All Forms equality, treatment in employment, education, social and
of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and its Optional Protocol cultural construction of roles and responsibilities in society;
(adopted October 1999 entered into force December 2000), The Beijing
- Examine any law, policy, culture, tradition, usage, custom or
Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), The Commonwealth Plan of plan which is likely to impair equal opportunities and gender
Action on Gender and Development; Advancing the Commonwealth Agenda equality to persons in employment or enjoyment of human
rights.
into the New millennium (2005-2010), The International Conference on Popu-
lation and Development (1994), The United Nations Declaration on Violence
Against Women (DEVAW, 1993), The Millennium Declaration (2000), and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1990).

2.0 Situation Analysis

2.1 Over the past decade, Uganda has made significant progress in the
advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women in
political, economic and social spheres. This is evidenced by among
others: -

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
Institution Roles and responsibilities

Academic & - Undertake research in line with the priorities of the UGP;
. The Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme has increased overall
enrollment from 2.7 million in 1995 to 5.3 million in 1997 and to
Research
- Share research evidence on gender to influence policy, 7.3 million in 2002 with girls constituting 49% (3.6 million); in 2005 it rose
organisations planning and legislation;
to 49.6% (3.6 million) and 2006 it stood at 50% (3.65 million).
- Build capacity in gender oriented research;
- Design training and educational programmes on gender
and women's empowerment;
. Affirmative action in Public Universities (Makerere University)
increased enrolment of girls/females from 23.9% in the
- Allocate sufficient resources towards gender related academic year 1989/90 to 29.2% in 1990/91 when it was
research projects; introduced and to 49.5% in 2003/04 and presently 45.2% in 2005/06.
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender
mainstreaming; . The Constitution of Republic of Uganda provides for reservation
- Translate the UGP into organisational policies, of one seat for a woman member of Parliament for each district and at
projects and activities least one third of local council seats are reserved for women. This
has resulted in increased number of women in leadership
National - Mainstream gender into primary, secondary and tertiary and decision-making. For example, the proportion of women in
Curriculum syllabus;
local councils rose from 6% in early 1990s to 44% in 2003; noteworthy
Centre
- Design education programmes on gender and girl child is that there is only one female district chairperson out of 80. In
empowerment in schools.
Parliament, it rose from 18.8% in 1996 to 24.4% in 2003 while in 2006 it
rose to 30.4% and in cabinet, from 9.4% in 1996 to 32.8% in 2003
decreased to 19.4% in 2006. In civil service (Permanent Secretaries,
- Be cognizant of and use the UGP in development
Development Heads of Department and Divisions), women constitute 17.4%, whereas
cooperation partnerships;
Partners
men account for 82.6%.
- Establish appropriate institutional/ donor coordination
mechanisms for ensuring gender responsiveness of
development cooperation; . Other supportive laws, policies and strategies in place include the Local
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming; Government Act (Cap243), the Social Development Sector Strategic
Investment Plan, (2003 - 2008), the Community Mobilisation and
- Develop incentives for promoting gender equality and
women's empowerment in development cooperation. Empowerment Strategy (2006) and the National Women's Council Act
(Cap 318. )

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
Institution Roles and responsibilities
. Overall, there has been declining trend of HIV infection from a peak Civil Society - Translate the UGP into organisational policies, programmes and
of 18% in 1992 to 7% in 2005. The percentage of women who are Community and activities;
HIV positive are 7.8% as compared to 6.4% of men, among 15-49 Faith Based - Collaborate with MGLSD and local governments on matters of
year olds, HIV prevalence for females is 12.8% in urban and 6.5% Organisations gender mainstreaming;
in rural areas. - Advocate for gender sensitive policy formulation and legislation;
- Monitor the implementation of international instruments that
. Total fertility rate is at 6.7 children per woman. Sixteen percent promote gender equality and women's empowerment;
(16%) of women are married by age 15 and 53% by age 18. - Participate in Sector Working Groups and local government
( UDHS 2006). planning and budgeting processes to advance gender equality;
- Develop and implement programmes that address key UGP
. Sixty percent (60%) of women aged 15-49 years experience physical intervention areas.

violence, 39% sexual violence and 16% have experienced violence Private sector - Ensure that corporate policies and practices incorporate gender
during pregnancy (UDHS 2006). equality principles;
- Ensure that essential products, supplies and services are accessible
. Rural water coverage increased from 54.9% in 2002 to 61% in to both women and men, especially the poor;
- Provide incentives and support to women entrepreneurs;
2006. Access to safe water and sanitation facilities and appropriate
management and utilization are necessary conditions for sustainable - Collaborate with MGLSD and other appropriate institutions on matters
of gender mainstreaming;
development.
- Broaden corporate social responsibility initiatives and interventions

. Women's land rights have been recognized in the Land Act (Cap 227) that promote gender equality;
- Institute and implement Affirmative Action measures.
and Land acquisition Act (Cap 226), spousal consent is a
requirement on all matters relating to land from which the family Media - Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming;
derives sustenance. Organisations - Translate the UGP into organisational policies, projects and
activities-Publicise, inform and educate the public about the UGP;

. The employment status of employed persons aged 10 years and - Promote the positive coverage of women in the media and eliminate
gender stereotypes;
above stands at 89.6% for the self employed, with 84.0% male and
- Create awareness of the masses about gender equality;
95.3% female in the rural areas and 54.3% for the male and 68.7%
- Build capacity for gender sensitive research and reporting;
female in the urban areas.
- Expose cases of gender based violence;

. The country's labour force has increased from 9.8million in 2002/03 to - Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender
mainstreaming and women's advancement.
10.9 million persons in 2005/06 representing an annual growth
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
Institution Roles and responsibilities
- Promote gender equality in all political party policies, structures, rate of 3.6%. The proportion of females in the labour force remains
Political
Organisations / activities and systems; high though it has declined from 52.6% in 2002/03 to 51.4 percent
Parties - Disaggregate data and information by sex and gender where applicable; in 2005/06. The annual growth rate for males (4.4%) is one and half
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming; times higher than that of females 2.9%
- Promote Affirmative Action measures in party structures, processes
and mechanisms. . Fifty five percent (55%) of Micro Finance Institution (MFI) borrowers
are female. Female borrowers constituted a large proportion
Autonomous - Translate the UGP into institutional specific policies strategies and
activities; in commerce (72%), in services (63%), in animal husbandry (60%)
government
bodies and - Support staff to build capacity in gender analysis, planning and and 48% in manufacturing (MFPED, Poverty Status Report 2003);
institutions budgeting;
- Monitor and evaluate sector programmes for their impact on gender
equality;
. Literacy rates increased from 54% in 1991 to 69.6% in 2002. The
imbalance emanates from varying levels of enrollment and
- Commit adequate resources for implementation of gender related attandance of education at all levels. 77.4% of the males are
activities;
literate compared to 62.4% of the females. (2002 Population
- Disaggregate data and information by sex and gender where applicable; and Housing Census)
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming.

Higher and - Translate the UGP into local government and administrative unit
. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda guarantees equality
lower local specific strategies and activities; between women and men before and under the law in the spheres
government, - Build capacity of staff and leadership in gender analysis, planning of political, social and cultural life. A number of laws have been
and and budgeting; reformed to be in line with this constitutional provision. These
administrative include; the Local Governments Act (Cap 243) , the Land
- Monitor and evaluate local government and other programmes for
units their impact on gender equality; Act (Cap 227), Land Acquisition Act (Cap 226) and
- Commit adequate resources for implementation of gender related National Agricultural Advisory Services Act (NAADS).
activities;
- Disaggregate data and information by sex and gender where applicable; . There are existing policies and mechanisms for stimulating
- Collaborate with gender and women's empowerment organisations economic growth and poverty reduction for both men and women
e.g. Women Councils, CBOs and NGOs on matters of gender in Uganda. Among these are: The Strategic Exports Strategy, the
mainstreaming and women's empowerment; Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture, the Rural Development
- Enact gender specific laws and ensure that by-lawsenacted redress Strategy, the Medium Term Competitive Strategy for the
gender-based discrimination; Private Sector , the Uganda Public Private Partnership Strategy-
- Institute and implement affirmative Action measures. (UP3) and the Micro-Finance Outreach Plan.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

Institution Roles and responsibilities

2.2 Despite the significant progress highlighted above, challenges to attain
gender equality still persist. An analysis of the 31% (UBOS 2006) Ministry of - Mobilise, allocate and release resources for gender mainstreaming
Finance activities;
of the population currently living below the poverty line
Planning & - Ensure that the national planning framework (PEAP) and all other
indicates that poverty impacts differently on different groups. The Economic national policies and sector investment plans are gender responsive;
Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP) indicates Development - Revise the national/local government planning and budgeting
that women (33%) tend to be poorer than men (30%). This is more guidelines so that gender mainstreaming and gender targeted
severe for widows (34%) including people living in households, which activities are given priority and visibility in budgets and are
adequately funded;
are headed, by widows. Further, there are an estimated 1.8 million
- Monetize the contribution of the care/domestic economy of women's
orphans (13% of Ugandan children), Population and Housing
and men's contribution in the national accounts;
Census, (2002). The Social Development Sector Strategic Investment
- Undertake gender audit of sector budgets;
Plan (SDIP) indicates that 41% of boy-orphans and 36% of girl-
- Collect, document and disseminate gender disaggregated data and
orphans fall below the poverty line.
information where applicable (UBOS)
- Ensure that growth and investment policies benefit both women and men;
2.3 The Participatory Poverty Assessment (2002) reveals that women's
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming.
inadequate control over livelihood assets such as land, labour, skills
and information, networks, technology, and financial capital remains Ministry of - Ensure that the local government development plans, programmes and
Local budgets benefit women, men, boys and girls;
one of the root causes of poverty. For instance although 83% of women
Government - Monitor gender mainstreaming in local governments to ensure services
are engaged in agricultural production, only 25.5% control the land
benefit women, men, boys, girls, people with disabilities and people
they cultivate (UDHS, 2001/01). This scenario creates enormous living with HIV/AIDS;
challenges for the women as they are increasingly taking on the burden
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender Mainstreaming;
of family provisioning, thus seriously undermining
- Ensure disaggregation of data and information on local governments
t h e sustainability of the household livelihoods. Therefore, by sex and gender where applicable.
gender inequality is a key area that has to be tackled through
Parliament - Establish appropriate mechanisms to monitor gender equality
systemic removal of the constraints to women and men's livelihoods. and equal opportunities;

2.4 A gender analysis of Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS - Review ministerial policy statements and budget frame work
papers for their gender responsiveness;
1992-2003) data indicates that around 20% of Ugandan - Ensure that all legislation is free from gender based discrimination;
households are chronically poor and more than 10% of the poorest
households moved into poverty between 1992 and 1999. The - Monitor the implementation of international instruments that
promote gender equality and women's empowerment e.g. CEDAW;
analysis further shows that with regards to income poverty, higher
proportions of women headed households are chronically poor - Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender mainstreaming.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

6.1 Institutional Framework Matrix and move into poverty, and fewer have never been in poverty. Selling
assets to avoid moving into poverty is more common in female-headed
This matrix outlines the generic roles and responsibilities for institutions than in male-headed households.
at all levels in the implementation of the Uganda Gender Policy.
2.5 Women continue to suffer very high time burdens in pursuing their
Institution Roles and responsibilities livelihood strategies. The Uganda Strategic Country Gender
- Establish appropriate mechanisms for coordinating Assessment (World Bank 2005) reveals that women work
Ministry of Gender,
Labour & Social gender mainstreaming at the different levels; considerably longer hours than men (between 12 and 18 hours a
Development day, with a mean of 15 hours), compared with an average male
- Provide technical support on gender mainstreaming to
sectors, institutions, local governments, civil society working day of 8 to 10 hours. Women bear the brunt of domestic
organisations and the private sector; tasks, in addition to agricultural and other productive work. The time
- Set standards, develop gender guidelines, disseminate and effort required for these tasks, in almost total absence of
and monitor their operationalisation; even rudimentary domestic technology, is staggering. This has a
negative effect on food security, household income, children's
- Provide support to Gender Focal Points, Sector Gender
Working Groups and Local Governments with a view to schooling, participation in community life, health, and overall
improving their effectiveness; productivity.
- Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of the UGP and
gender responsive development in the country. 2.6 The right to human development encompasses a wide range of entitle-
ments ranging from security of the person, to the ability to access justice.
Sector Ministries - Translate the UGP into sector-specific strategies and
However a number of laws, legal processes and enforcement proce-
and activities;
Sector Working dures continue to discriminate against specific categories of women.
Groups - Build capacity of staff in gender analysis, planning and Gender differences exist in men and women's legal status. This has a
budgeting;
bearing on how each enjoys the rights and accesses protection under
- Monitor and evaluate sector programmes for their impact the law. Critical gender related barriers to access justice, include;
on gender equality; substantive law issues relating to gender biased laws (particularly
- Commit adequate resources for implementation of concerning divorce, adultery and defilement) and differences in
gender related activities; burden of proof requirements, administration of law issues
- Disaggregate data and information by sex and gender including physical access, training and orientation of staff and delays
where applicable; in delivery of justice. Other barriers are the low status of women,
- Collaborate with MGLSD on matters of gender
power imbalances in the household as well as inadequate knowledge
mainstreaming. and information on legal rights.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
2.7 There are significant gender inequalities with regard to the right to
property. Land is a critical resource for over 90% of households in The specific strategies shall include:
Uganda, and women own only 16% of the registered land. (Gender
Baseline Study: Land sector, 2004). Apart from a few, economi- (a) Institutionalising gender budget initiatives in central and local
cally advantaged, the majority of women have only user rights government budget cycles;
determined by the nature of the relationship they have with a male
land owner - father, husband or brother. A large part of women's (b) Reforming investment regulations and domestic/local revenue
contribution at household level tends to be non-monetary and hence generation systems to make them accessible to the poor and
does not directly go into what is generally understood as property. vulnerable and protect them from exploitation;

2.8 The right to livelihood for young people has increasingly become an (c) Building national capacity for mainstreaming gender in macro economic
issue of concern. Young women and girls' rights are violated through policies.
early marriages, 16% of women are married by age 15 and 53% by
the age of 18. The average Ugandan girl gets married at the age of 17 6.0: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTING
years (UDHS 2006) teenage pregnancy rate is at 34% and women's THE UGANDA GENDER POLICY
age for sexual debut is 16.7 years compared to men at 18 years. The
UDHS 2006 further reveals that 24% of the girls have had sexual Implementing the Uganda Gender Policy will be multi sectoral. It is premised in
intercourse by the age of 15 and 69% by the age of 18. The right to the acknowledgement that the pursuit of gender equality and women's empow-
liveli-hood of young men and boys remains a challenge. Out of erment is a responsibility for all sectors in the development arena. All actors in
school male youth in rural and peri-urban areas are unable to find the public and private sectors have a role to play in the implementation of this
viable livelihood opportunities, due to inadequate skills, lack of policy. Institutions are expected to identify entry points and opportunities for
assets and limited options in other lucrative sectors As a result male networking and collaboration to ensure synergy and maximum impact in ad-
youth are vulnerable to alcohol, drug abuse and crime. The UGP dressing gender inequality. The cross cutting nature of gender implies that the
recognises that gender disparities in rights to property and different actors/sectors have the responsibility to finance the gender mainstreaming
livelihoods on the part of the youth undermines the future of the interventions pertinent to their respective sector. However, some institutions
country as a whole. that will play a key role have been listed in the framework below: -

2.9 Regarding health rights, high maternal mortality and morbidity rates
Ministry of Gender , Labour and Social Development has the overall responsi-
remain a challenge. Evidence from the Uganda Demographic and Health
bility of spearheading and coordinating gender responsive development, and in
Survey (2006) shows that infant mortality is 76 deaths per 1,000 births
particular ensuring improvement in the status of women. In performing this role,
and under five mortality is 137 per 1,000 births. Similarly, the
the ministry will work within the systems and mechanisms of public policy
UDHS 2000/1 puts maternal mortality ratio at 505 per 100,000
management.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

The specific strategies shall include: live births.The high total fertility rate at 6.9 has a bearing on the rapidly
increasing growth rates (3.3% ) per annum, which in turn has
(a) Formulating and implementing capacity building programmes negative consequences on provision of health services for women
for women leaders; and increases the dependence ratio. The high incidence of teenage
pregnancies is associated with high risks to health and life of both mother
(b) Developing strategies to address discrimination against and child. As a signatory to the International Conference on
women in elective and appointment structures and systems of Development and Population (ICDP) (1994) Government is
governance; committed to promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights by
putting gender relations at the centre of health and population
(c) Broadening the scope of affirmative action to enhance its
interventions.
effectiveness in reducing gender disparities;

(d) Developing strategies to address gender inequalties in 2.10 Gender based violence in its various forms (domestic violence, sexual
policies, plans and programmes at all levels. harassment, trafficking, rape and defilement) is a critical concern.
UN data reveals that more than 40% of Ugandan women have
(e) Developing strategies to empower the girl child to take up suffered domestic violence. The 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health
leadership positions in schools and tertiary institutions . Survey indicates that 60% of women and 53% of men aged 15-49 years
5.4 Gender and Macro-economic Management experience physical violence, 39% of the women sexual
violence while 16% experience violence during pregnancy. 48%
The key macro-economic management challenges identified for action of ever married women reported physical violence by their husband
include; limited capacity among technocrats to integrate gender into or former husband. Violence against women has serious consequences
macroeconomics, unequal benefits to women in trade expansion, low for their mental and physical well being including reducing their
representation of women informal employment, discrimination of women productivity. Gender based violence intensifies in situations of armed
in labour markets, the lack of markets, prohibitive regulatory and administra- conflict. There are 1.5 million IDPs in Uganda, 80% of whom are
tive requirements for business registration and public tendering and the insuffi- women and children (PEAP 2004). Conflict has a differential impact
cient reflection of women's care activities in the system of national accounts. on women and men, with critical gender specific (often grave)
Government is committed to tackling these challenges by addressing gender consequences for women. Ending conflict and insecurity is a key
inequalities in macro-economic policy formulation, implementation and land mark in the achievement of gender equality.
evaluation.

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

The specific strategies shall include:

2.11 Education and literacy are key human development indicators.
Historical factors have hindered women's enjoyment of their (a) Designing and implementing programmes to improve women and men's
right to education and literacy. According to the Uganda access to justice;
Population and Housing Census (2002) the current illiteracy rate for
(b) Enacting and reforming laws to eliminate gender discriminatory practices,
Uganda is 32%. However, sex disparities still exist with 23.6% of
norms and values;
the males being illiterate compared to 37.6% females who
are illiterate. The illiteracy rate for persons with disabilities is (c) Developing and implementing interventions to prevent and
estimated at 63%. Adult literacy services currently reach only respond to gender based violence in all its forms and at all levels;
4.3% of the non-literate adults with men attendance and
(d) Developing and implementing sexual and reproductive health rights
participation being much lower due to the socio-cultural perception
programmes;
and misconception that men ought to be educated. There are
(e) Developing and implementing legal literacy programmes to improve
persistent disparities in formal education attainment by socio-
women and men's awareness of their legal rights.
economic, region as well as by gender. Strategies to increase
men's involvement and participation in adult literacy programmes (f) Developing strategies to sensitise communities about children's
need to be developed. rights and responsibilities so as to protect the girl child from abuse.

2.12 Some cultural norms and values often condone gender discrimination. 5.3 Gender and Governance
Combined with low levels of education and limited access to Good governance entails respect for the rule of law, democratization, participa-
information, norms and values instil fear on the part of the victims of tion in decision-making, transparency and accountability, and protection of
abuse. As a result, abuse of rights continues and becomes socially human rights. Gender equity is critical for good governance as it ensures the
" acceptable." Extensive legal literacy will be necessary in order to effective participation of women and men in the democratization process, lead-
change gender discriminatory values and create an enabling ership, decision-making and law enforcement.
environment for all women and men to know, demand and enjoy their
rights. The main governance challenges identified for action include; obstacles to women's
engagement in elective processes, limited capacity to participate effectively
2.13 In the political arena, women face constraints in engaging in elective in leadership and decision making, low presence of women in technical
processes due to factors such as limited resources for and management positions in public and private sector, limited articulation of
campaigning, spousal control, and the misconception that leadership gender in sectoral policies and programmes. Government is committed to
is a male domain. Low literacy among women, inadequate skills in address these concerns by strengthening women's capacities and
public speaking, r esource mobilisation and networking and limited presence in decision making for their meaningful participation in administrative
and political processes.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

The specific strategies shall include: access to vital information are challenges that undermine their
competence. For example only 38% female headed households own
(a) Developing and implementing interventions that respond to diverse radios compared to 53% for male headed. In addition cultural
livelihood needs of women and men; factors and poverty constrain effective participation of women in
decision-making.
(b) Developing and promoting labour and time saving technologies
for the poor women and men; 2.14 The articulation of gender needs in policy and programmes is still
limited due to gender biases in the choices and actions in programming.
(c) Developing incentive frameworks to improve the earning Many a time it is defined narrowly to refer only to numerical
potential of poor women and men for improved productivity and presence of women. Sufficient gender mainstreaming in the
output;
determination of policy choices and how these affect the quality of life
for both women and men is still lacking. In addition, women's
(d) Promoting social protection interventions for poor and vulnerable
presence in management positions in professional and
women and men; and.
technical spheres is small indicating that women's
(e) Developing strategies to eradicate the child labour incidence with opportunities are still very low (30.2%) compared to those of men at
emphasis on the exploitation of the girl child. all levels.

5.2 Gender and Rights 2.15 Uganda has experienced rapid economic growth over the past
decade. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at
The right to human development encompasses a wide range of market prices has averaged 6.5% per annum since 1990/
entitlements ranging from security of the person, to the ability to access 1991. The central objective of Uganda's macroeconomic management
justice. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda guarantees the rights of is inflation control, export and private sector led growth.
women. In line with the constitution, the policy shall address the following Strategies to achieve this include, among others, removal of
priority issues, gender inequality in access to justice, socio-cultural discrimina- administrative barriers to investment, improvement in transport
tion against girls and women, gender based violence limited awareness about infrastructure and utility services, modernization of agriculture,
rights among women and men, high maternal and child mortality and morbidity,
improving rural access to finance, enhancing environmental
low literacy eespecially among women, and high levels of fertility. Government
sustainability and improving security in northern Uganda. Women
is committed to increasing knowledge and understanding of human rights among
and men play significant though different economic roles.
women and men so that they can enjoy their rights.

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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

For instance women make up 39% of business owners with fixed (x) Promoting a gender sensitive approach to technical
premises. Women's contribution, particularly care provision, is co-operation among the various actors in the development arena.
not sufficiently captured in the system of national accounts.
(xi) Advocating for gender equity and equality at all levels.
There is a strong relationship between gender inequality and
growth performance. The macro and micro level analysis reveal
5.0: POLICY PRIORITY ACTION AREAS
that the interrelationship between asset inequality and labour
constraints have a bearing on economic growth.
The priority interventions and action areas are arranged into four thematic areas;
livelihoods, rights, governance and macro-economic management. The
2.16 Women's equal benefits from trade expansion are hampered by their
interventions and proposed strategies are derived from the situation analysis
inability to acquire assets such as land and technology. More men than
section. Responsibility for undertaking these interventions shall lie with central
women are successful in credit applications and women normally
government ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, civil
receive smaller amounts. However, women have benefited more
society organisations and the private sector.
than men from community cooperatives and loans. Gender
inequality in access to and control over productive assets and
5.1 Gender and Livelihoods
resources acts as a hindrance to women's economic participa-
tion and limits economic growth with significant consequences for
Livelihoods refer to the means of earning a living. These include sources of
agricultural productivity in the context of strategic exports. Gender
revenue, employment, occupation or trade. Gender has a strong influence on
imbalance in agricultural division of labor and lower incentives for
improved livelihoods. A major challenge to improved livelihoods is the
women affects investment in agricultural production for the market.
prevalence of poverty, which is manifested in inadequate access, control and
ownership of assets, resources, incomes, and power. The manifestations impact
For example:-
differently on men and women given the gender relations and division of labour

. Generally, women are more dependent on farm self-employment than

in a given society

on non-farm and formal employment, compared to men, due to

Three priority livelihood constraints identified for redress under this policy are
inadequate skills, discrimination in formal labour markets, and
gender differences in livelihoods, time poverty and inequalities in access to and
difficulties of combining employment with care-giving, particularly, to
control over productive resources. These are compounded by lack of time and
children and the sick.
labour saving technologies which hinder productivity as well as livelihood choices

. Lack of markets and exploitation, especially through tax

of men and women. Government is committed to address these concerns by
reducing gender inequalities so that all women and men, girls and boys, are able
administration, pose serious but different constraints on poor women
to move out of poverty and to achieve improved and sustainable livelihoods.
and men.
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 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)

4.0: POLICY STRATEGIES

. The regulatory requirements for business registration and public
The policy objectives shall be achieved through the following strategies: tendering differentially affect women and men's capacity to engage
in large business activities. Consequently, women's businesses are
(i) Sensitisation on gender issues at all levels and promoting largely confined to the informal sector, unable to grow and to create
community dialogue to address gender issues at household level. jobs.
(ii) Promoting a Gender and Development (GAD) approach that is
based on the understanding of gender roles and social relations of It is critical that growth enhancing and poverty reducing
women and men as well as the Women in Development (WID) policies take account of these issues and seek to tackle the gender
approach, which focuses on women specifically. based inequalities not only to promote equity and justice, but also
to promote efficiency in economic growth.
(iii) Ensuring that the gender policy shall be disseminated, translated,
understood and implemented by all sections of Uganda society. 3.0: GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
(iv) Promoting appropriate education, sensitisation and creation of
awareness on the responsibility of all concerned parties in each 3.1 Goal
sector to address the specific gender inequalities within the sector.
This shall entail consultation with both women and men in specific areas Achieve gender equality and women's empowerment as an integral
of relevance to identify gender inequalities. part of Uganda's socio-economic development.

(v) Ensuring gender responsive development planning at all levels 3.2 Purpose of the Uganda Gender Policy
namely, community, district and national.

(vi) Promoting a holistic and integrated approach to development The purpose is to establish a clear framework for identification,
planning to ensure that gender issues common to different implementation and coordination of interventions designed to achieve
sectors are adequately analysed and addressed. gender equality and women's empowerment in Uganda. The policy is a
guide to all stakeholders in planning, resource allocation, implementa-
(vii) Promoting and carrying out gender oriented research in order to identify tion and monitoring and evaluation of programmes with a gender
gender inequalities. perspective.
(viii) Ensuring the collection, retrieval, compilation, packaging and dissemi-
nation of gender disaggregated data (GDD) 3.3 Objectives
1) To reduce gender inequalities so that all women and men,
(ix) Establishing gender responsive monitoring and evaluation girls and boys, are able to move out of poverty and to achieve
mechanisms for development. improved and sustainable livelihoods;
17
14
 The Uganda Gender Policy (2007) The Uganda Gender Policy (2007)
and investments. All actors (state and non-state) shall take appropriate
action to address gender inequalities within their areas of mandate, in
2) To increase knowledge and understanding of human rights line with this policy. This requires women as well as men to play an
among women and men so that they can identify violations, active role in shaping development directions and choices in all
demand, access, seek redress and enjoy their rights; sectors and at all levels.

3) To strengthen women's presence and capacities in 3) Affirmative Action

decision making for their meaningful participation in Bridging gender gaps in the various development sectors requires
administrative and political processes; preferential attention for the disadvantaged. Affirmative action as
enshrined in the Constitution will be pursued to redress historical and
4) To address gender inequalities and ensure inclusion of present forms of discrimination against women and girls in political, eco
gender analysis in macro-economic policy formulation, nomic and social spheres.
implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
4) Household and family relations
3.4 Guiding Principles for implementation of the Uganda Gender
Policy Intra household power relations determine appropriation, ownership and
control of livelihood assets among women and men, girls and boys. This
Implementation of this policy is guided by the following principles. in turn influences individual participation in and benefits from develop-
ment processes at all levels. Interventions that address these intra-house-
1) Gender equality hold dynamics are therefore critical for this Policy.

Gender equality is an integral part of national development processes 5) Promotion of GAD and WID approaches
and reinforces the overall development objectives in the country. This
Advancement of gender equality requires the promotion of two
policy emphasises government's commitment to elimination of
approaches: The Gender and Development (GAD) approach is based
gender inequalities and empowerment of women in the development
on the understanding of gender roles and social relations of women and
process.
men, with emphasis on the disadvantaged. While the Women in Devel-
2) Gender cuts across all sectors and levels. opment (WID) approach focuses specifically on improving the
conditions of women. This is essential in light of evidence from
Attainment of the gender equality goal will depend on the extent to which various sectors showing the disadvantaged position of women. This calls
public and private sector institutions and agencies engage both women for all data and information that inform planning and decision-making at
and men as providers and or producers and beneficiaries of services all levels to be disaggregated by sex, gender, age and other socio-
economic characteristics such as disability.
15 16