Gender

Gender and Human Development

Objective

Our objective is to ensure that gender equality and gender mainstreaming (click here for definition) become legitimate, non-controversial and integral parts of the structure, systems, laws and culture of governments.

Relevance

Advancing gender equality and mainstreaming gender across the Commonwealth will directly contribute to the achievement of development goals and targets in a way that is meaningful in the lives of women, men, girls and boys. Gender equality is a key factor in:

• Promoting economic growth and accountability in the management of public goods and services
• Eradicating poverty and stimulating economic empowerment for marginalized groups especially women
• Enhancing democracy and peace
• Eliminating discrimination and violence against women
• Ensuring education for all
• Improving maternal health
• Reducing child mortality
• Combating HIV/AIDS

We respond to emerging global priorities and concerns relating to gender, and are accountable to mandates received from Commonwealth Ministers for Women, Law and Finance, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.

Impact

Since 1995 we have led the way in pioneering analysis, influencing policy work and developing frameworks which promote gender equality and mainstreaming. For example, we have developed a ‘Gender Management System’ (GMS) which provides a practical framework for applying gender analysis to sectors such as finance, education, trade and industry as well as handling cross-cutting development issues such as poverty, the Millennium Development Goals, and HIV/AIDS.