Why do gender mainstreaming?
Gender mainstreaming makes good policy sense: • Every policy and activity has a gender perspective or implication. Decisions in economic and social policies and programmes influence and impact women and men differently. • Experience shows policies and programmes are most effective when the impacts on gender are considered and addressed. For example, mainstreaming a gender perspective in the peace-building sector has been instrumental in making personnel aware of the ways in which armed conflict affects women and girls differently and that post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building is more effective and long-lasting if gender analysis takes place from the outset. It has been recognized internationally that this significantly improves peace-building operations. • Gender mainstreaming contributes to the redresses of systemic gender-based discrimination. For example, while trade liberalization can provide new employment opportunities for both men and women, the market access opportuni
