What is GETs understanding of gender mainstreaming and diversity?
Gender mainstreaming is at the core of the CIVICUS Gender Equality Policy. To understand the concept, one needs first to understand what “gender” means. In simple terms, we take gender to mean the rules, norms, customs and practices by which biologically associated differences between men and women are translated into socially constructed differences which give them unequal value, opportunities, power over resources and life opportunities. Gender is therefore a social construct as opposed to sex which is biological. We take gender mainstreaming to be an approach or strategy to promoting equality between women and men, boys and girls in matters affecting their lives, which includes equal access to resources and opportunities, decision making and participation. The ultimate goal of gender mainstreaming is to achieve gender equality and it is about making gender considerations key or central in our work and making conscious and systematic efforts to eliminate gender based bias, discrimina
