Practical and Theoretical Limitations of Inclusion of Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in Development Activities of Agencies

Abstract

The paper examines some practical and theoretical constraints accompanying the inclusion of gender mainstreaming as a gendered strategy of equality in development by agencies. The paper employs the documentary method of research with reliance on the secondary sources of data collection. The thrust of the paper is that as a transformative strategy, gender mainstreaming transcends focus on women concerns only and embraces women and men equality matters. The incorporation of the concerns and experiences of both women and men into policy-making, planning and decision-making of organisations and governments as envisaged with the gender mainstreaming strategy holds the potential for huge success for development and society. Yet, the paper argues that the implementation of gender mainstreaming by agencies largely seems to lack proper coordination due to conceptual, institutional, operational, and political problems, making it difficult for the strategy to achieve the expected outcome. The paper recommends that reaching a consensus on the concept of mainstreaming and its approaches among stakeholders and a radical reorganisation of the institutional and political structures of organisations are central to achieving the gender equality goal of mainstreaming.