By Lovemore Nyawo
The roots of gender-responsive policymaking can be traced back to the late 19th-century women’s rights movement. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights marked a significant turning point by recognizing gender equality as a basic human right. Buttressed by the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) at the United Nations was a pivotal moment in the advancement of gender-responsive policymaking.
Lovemore Nyawo
In 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action was built upon previous conventions’ agendas on equality and women’s empowerment. With millennium came the rise of gender-responsive budgeting and planning, which was followed by Millennium development goals (MGDs) then Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2010s, which broadened the scope to include human rights and gender as fundamental themes. This progression underscores the growing acknowledgment of gender equality as an essential element of policymaking, leading to the creation of gender-responsive policies and practices.
Zimbabwe’s journey in gender-responsive policymaking dates back to its pre-colonial period, where women held significant societal roles. However, colonial influences and patriarchal norms diminished women’s rights. Key milestones in Zimbabwe’s path include the 1980s, when the government committed to gender equality by ratifying Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1982. In the 1990s, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and other civil society groups pushed for gender-sensitive policies, and in 1996, the Zimbabwean government established the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender, and Community Development.
By the turn of the millennium, gender-responsive policies and programs emerged, focusing on areas like education, health, and economic empowerment. In 2013, Zimbabwe’s Constitution enshrined gender equality and women’s rights, three years later, the National Gender Policy was introduced, emphasizing gender mainstreaming and equality. The 2020s saw Zimbabwe’s adoption of gender-responsive budgeting and the integration of gender considerations into the National Development Strategy (NDS1). Zimbabwe’s journey in gender-responsive policymaking is a testament to the country’s gradual commitment to gender equality, driven by governmental efforts, civil society advocacy, and international commitments.
Gender-responsive policymaking is a strategy that takes into account the diverse needs, experiences, and viewpoints of both men and women in the development, implementation, and assessment of policies. Its goal is to advance gender equality and tackle gender-based discrimination, stereotypes, and inequalities. It’s an in-depth examination of how policies impact men and women differently, while employing gender-neutral language and steering clear of gender stereotypes yet incorporating gender perspectives into every stage of policy design and execution.
Applying a gender perspective in policy development leads to policies that support equal opportunities and treatment for everyone, irrespective of gender. This approach brings in varied viewpoints, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of policymaking, and tackling specific issues related to gender, such as gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and the burden of unpaid care work.
Furthermore, policymaking that is sensitive to gender fosters social justice by addressing the historical disparities based on gender and achieving better results in sectors like healthcare, education, and reducing poverty. It ensures that a wide range of voices are represented in the goal of crafting policies that are more inclusive, fair, and impactful for all.
The Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) is a registered not for profit membership-based women’s rights organization empowering women to lead through promoting women’s participation in governance processes. Dedicated to boosting women’s involvement in politics and leadership worldwide, offers training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support the empowerment of women in politics. WDN Zimbabwe chapter in collaboration with the International Republican Institute (IRI) organized a two-day workshop on gender-responsive policymaking in Harare. Participants included members of parliament, politicians, local government officials, city of Harare representatives, civil society leaders, and advocates for gender equality, media professionals, business people and student leaders.
This highlights the growing acknowledgment of gender equality as a critical element of policymaking, leading to the creation of gender-responsive policies and practices in response to the numerous challenges women face in politics, leadership, and society. Gender-responsive policymaking can help create an environment that is supportive, safe, inclusive, enabling women to engage, share their ideas and contribute to the advancement of our society and governance.