|
Task Force on Gender Mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF
|
Background
The United Nations Development Group (UNDG) decided at the end of 1999 to discontinue the UNDG Sub-group on Gender. This created a serious gap in the inter-agency work on strengthening the mainstreaming of gender concerns into the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). As highlighted in a number of reports and assessment workshops, gender is still not systematically and effectively mainstreamed into the UN reform process. As a result, the Inter-Agency Meeting on Women and Gender Equality (IAMWGE) recommended the establishment of a Task Force on Gender Mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF process to address the continuing need expressed by UN country teams for expertise and technical advice on how to systematically and effectively address gender issues both in the analysis and assessment of national development challenges and in strategic planning processes.
Terms of Reference
The Task Force on Gender Mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF is chaired by UNIFEM and acts as a technical working group to bring together critical thinking on the CCA/UNDAF process from a gender perspective and to create a common understanding of gender mainstreaming. Its members include representatives from DAW, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNIFEM. The Task Force's main objective is the development of a common and coherent UN agency approach to gender mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF process. For more detailed information on the Task Force's terms of reference.
Members
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
- Division for the Advancement of Women
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) (Task Manager)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Methods of Work
The Task Force manager has been calling meetings when the need to address specific issues arises. In 2004 and 2005 these have been occurring every six to eight weeks.
Activities
Desk Review of Gender Mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF Process
The Task Force commissioned an external
consultant to undertake a desk review of CCAs and UNDAFs to
assess the extent to which gender perspectives were included
in final documents as well as preparation processes. It provided
a comprehensive assessment of the status of gender mainstreaming
in the selected CCA/UNDAF case studies and mapped out different
approaches and gaps in mainstreaming gender into these UN
reform tools. The review will also developed a set of guidelines
for stakeholders working on gender mainstreaming in the CCA/UNDAF
process to capture the qualitative aspects of the process.
The review was completed in May 2002.
Resource Guide for Gender Theme
Groups
In January 2004 work on the development
of a Resource Guide to help strengthen the capacity of UN
Gender Theme Groups began. This Resource Guide builds on the
model of the Resource Guide for Theme Groups Working Together
on HIV/AIDS developed by UNAIDS. Issued in January 2005, this
Resource Guide provides practical suggestions for UN Theme
Groups working on gender equality. It is based on accumulated
experience of such groups. Drawing on information collected
from the Resident Coordinator System, the Guide focuses on
how to more effectively collaborate and coordinate activities
to mainstream gender equality in key coordination mechanisms
such as CCA/UNDAF exercises, MDG monitoring and Poverty Reduction
Strategy Papers (PRSPs).
Copies
are available in English, French and Spanish:
Strengthening Gender Equality in the TCPR Resolution
From October through December 2004, when the General Assembly was in session, the Taskforce set out to bolster the gender section of the upcoming Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system (TCPR) resolution. The result of the Taskforce’s advocacy with Member States is reflected in the stronger and more results oriented language adopted in the TCPR resolution (A/RES/59/250) which calls for greater accountability of the Resident Coordinator system in integrating gender equality in its work and reporting.
Contacts
For further information on the work of this Task Force or documentation it produced you can contact the Task Manager
Ms.
Ingrid Arnò at ingrid.arno@undp.org
External Relations Specialist
Office of the Executive Director
UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Related Links
Download A/RES/59/250 [ Arabic | Chinese |
English
| French
| Russian
| Spanish]
|
