what is gender mainstreaming

Gender mainstreaming is a public policy concept that takes into account both womens and men's interests and concerns in policy-making, including legislation and programs. The concept was first proposed at the 1985 Third World Conference on Women and was formally featured in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, where it was cited in the document that resulted from the conference, the Beijing Platform for Action. Gender mainstreaming means integrating a gender equality perspective at all stages and levels of policies, programs, and projects. It is a long-term strategy that aims to transform discriminatory social institutions, laws, cultural norms, and community practices, such as those limiting women's access to resources, power, human rights, and institutions, including the justice system. Gender mainstreaming ensures that policy-making and legislative work is of higher quality and has greater relevance for society, making policies respond more effectively to the needs of all citizens, women, and men, girls, and boys. It is a transformative approach with great potential for social change.