Gender mainstreaming in selected non-governmental organisations in Lusaka
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Date
2012-12-24
Authors
Chilufya-Nkandu, Njavwa
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Abstract
Against a background of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) promoting gender equality as a key component for addressing poverty and enhancing human development, this study presents findings on the extent to which selected NGOs in Lusaka have mainstreamed gender. The purpose of the study was to investigate how NGOs had mainstreamed gender through policy formulation, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Fifteen organisations were selected through a non-probability sampling technique from a population sample of twenty two organisations registered as members of the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Committee, for the period 2008-2009. Questionnaires were administered to Programme Officers and in-depth interviews conducted for Programme Managers. Secondary data was collected to compliment the primary data through the review of organisations' strategic documents. Data was coded and analysed based on emerging trends, whilst recorded responses were manually transcribed, using grid analysis to capture respondents' verbatim. The findings of the study revealed that despite the efforts by NGOs to address gender inequality, gender mainstreaming has been effectively implemented. This is largely attributed to the approach taken by the organisations to focus mainly on women as beneficiaries, at the expense of men. There is an absence of gender analysis to inform policies and programmes. Most organisations have not prioritised gender policies and development of indicators to monitor the outcome of their interventions. Mechanisms for gender accountability are not in place, as evidenced in the absence of gender focal persons. Resource allocation for gender mainstreaming activities is very low. The capacity of NGOs to effectively mainstream gender is also hampered by the lack of leadership at national level to drive the agenda for a coordinated mechanism. To a considerable extent, Non-Governmental Organisations have displayed a willingness to bridge the gap between women and men resulting from the adoption of the Beijing Platform of Action in the 1990s, however gender mainstreaming within the organisations still requires more efforts.
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Keywords
Gender , Gender Mainstreaming