Summary 8-16 February 1999                  Back to Summaries

To all members of the Working Group on National Machineries for Gender Equality:

Let us look back on the initial days of our discussion. We had a very fruitful exchange of experiences, thanks to all of you who shared their information. We are looking forward to hearing more from you in the days to come.

Many members have reported on strategies that strengthened the National Machinery in their country. The experiences posted fall into three categories:

1. Institutional structures to promote gender in all areas of policy making
2. Cooperation between the government and non-governmental organizations
3. Gender training for government officials

1. Institutional structures to promote gender in all areas of policy making

The Basque Country has established an institutional mechanism designed to promote gender mainstreaming in the government. The Head of State chairs an Interdepartmental Commission on Gender Issues. This Commission comprises representatives from each department in the government and of the National Machinery. Each department develops an action plan for gender equality in its respective area; at the beginning of each year, the Interdepartmental Commission discusses and approves these plans. Parallel to the Interdepartmental Commission, there is an ongoing working group of staff members from each department. The group's function is to implement the government's gender policy on a daily basis.

The above mentioned mechanism at the level of the central government is complemented by a similar structure for the local level; the Interterritorial Commission, which comprises representative from all territories in the Basque Country, is responsible for co-ordinating and implementing the government's gender policy in the territories.

2. Cooperation between the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Members from Central and Eastern Europe highlighted the crucial role NGOs play in their region; "without the pressure of NGOs, there would not be any National Machinery or National Action Plan in most of the countries." (Kinga Lohmann). Some governments in the region have established a permanent forum for consultations with NGOs. In Poland, for example, this forum met monthly to develop a National Action Plan. In Hungary, the "Civil Forum" comments on government policies and can initiate new programmes. In Slovakia, representatives of NGOs are members of the National Machinery. One participant reported on a joint project of the government and NGOs to establish a National Machinery in Georgia.

A member from Africa reported on an interesting project to promote cooperation between the government and NGOs. The goal is to mobilize NGOs so that they support the work of National Machineries. The project team conducted research on the work of National Machineries in six African countries. The research finding will be discussed with NGOs. Based on the findings, NGOs will then define their potential role in strengthening the National Machinery.

3. Gender training for government officials

Some members reported on efforts by their governments to build capacity for gender mainstreaming. In Trinidad and Tobago, the National Machinery launched a gender training programme for Permanent Secretaries, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and members of the Judiciary. In the Basque Country, professionals from all departments in the government meet regularly to exchange experiences on gender issues and to learn from each other.

Some members talked about the obstacles they face with establishing or strengthening a National Machinery. Contributions from Central and Eastern Europe spoke about a lack of gender awareness, both in the government and in society. Many governments in the region do not have the capacity to address gender issues; national machineries are not functioning or are not even established. Problems are different in other countries. A member from Canada pointed out that the National Machinery in her country may look impressive from the outside. However, due to budget cuts, the machinery is now restricted in its activities, and some parts even disappeared.