Week 6- Gender & Governance.pptx in Africa

Gender & Governance.pptx in Africa

1. GENDER & GOVERNANCE WEEK 6

2. THEMATIC AREAS:

3. What is Governance? Governance refers to the systems, processes, and structures through which authority is exercised, decisions are made, and resources are managed within a group, organization, or society. It encompasses the mechanisms that ensure accountability, transparency, and participation while balancing power and responsibility to achieve collective goals.

4. Key Elements of Governance Authority and Decision-Making : Governance defines who has the power to make decisions and how those decisions are made (e.g., through democratic processes, hierarchies, or consensus). Accountabilit y: Mechanisms to hold decision-makers responsible for their actions, ensuring they act in the interest of stakeholders. Transparency : Openness in processes, allowing stakeholders to understand how and why decisions are made. Participation : Inclusion of stakeholders (e.g., citizens, employees, or members) in decision-making processes, ensuring diverse perspectives. Rule of Law : Governance operates within a framework of agreed-upon rules, laws, or policies that guide behavior and resolve conflicts.

5. Types of Governance Corporate Governance : Focuses on managing businesses, balancing the interests of shareholders, management, and other stakeholders. It includes board structures, ethical practices, and financial oversight. Public Governance : Concerns government institutions managing public resources and services, emphasizing democratic principles, public welfare, and policy implementation. Global Governance : Involves international cooperation to address global issues like climate change or trade, often through organizations like the UN or WTO. Community/Nonprofit Governance : Applies to organizations like NGOs or community groups, focusing on mission-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

6. Principles of Good Governance Legitimacy: Authority is recognized and accepted by those governed. Efficiency : Resources are used effectively to achieve goals. Equity and Inclusiveness : Ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all stakeholders. Responsiveness : Addressing the needs and concerns of stakeholders promptly.

7. Introduction to Gender and Governance Gender and governance refer to the ways in which gender influences the structures, processes, and outcomes of governance systems. Governance encompasses the mechanisms, institutions, and processes through which authority is exercised, decisions are made, and resources are allocated in society. Gender, as a social construct, shapes power dynamics, participation, and representation in these systems. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION : How can governance systems be designed to ensure equitable participation and representation across genders, addressing systemic inequalities?

8. Key Issues in Gender and Governance Underrepresentation of Women in Governance : Globally, women remain underrepresented in political and governance institutions. ( What are the barriers to women’s participation) Gender-Based Violence in Governanc e: Women in governance roles often face harassment, intimidation, and violence, both online and offline. This discourages women from participating in politics or public administration, perpetuating male dominance. Policy and Decision-Making Gaps : Governance processes often fail to incorporate gender perspectives, leading to policies that overlook the needs of women and gender minorities. Economic and Resource Inequities: Women and gender minorities often have less access to economic resources, education, and networks necessary for participating in governance. This creates a cycle of exclusion, where lack of resources limits political influence, and lack of influence perpetuates resource inequity.

9. Principles of Gender-Responsive Governance 1. Equity Equity in gender-responsive governance refers to creating conditions where all genders—women & men,—have fair access to opportunities, resources, and benefits within governance processes. Unlike equality, which assumes uniform treatment, equity recognizes that different genders face unique barriers and may require tailored support to achieve fairness.

10. Significance: Addresses systemic inequalities rooted in historical and structural disadvantages, such as limited access to education, economic resources, or political networks for women and gender minorities. Ensures that governance outcomes (e.g., policies, budgets) are distributed in a way that corrects imbalances and meets diverse needs. Promotes social justice by enabling marginalized genders to participate fully in decision-making.

11. Principles of Gender-Responsive Governance 2. Inclusivity Inclusivity ensures that governance processes involve diverse gender identities. It emphasizes meaningful participation and representation in decision-making at all levels. Significance: Enhances the legitimacy of governance by reflecting the diversity of the population. Ensures policies address the needs of all genders, preventing marginalization of underrepresented groups. Fosters innovation by incorporating diverse perspectives into governance solutions.

12. Principles of Gender-Responsive Governance 3. Accountability: Accountability in gender-responsive governance involves ensuring that institutions (e.g., governments, parliaments, public agencies) are answerable for addressing gender disparities and implementing gender equality commitments. It requires mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and enforce gender-responsive policies. Significance: Ensures that promises of gender equality are translated into action, preventing superficial commitments. Builds public trust by demonstrating that governance systems prioritize fairness and justice. Empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable for gender-related outcomes.

13. Principles of Gender-Responsive Governance 4. Transparency Transparency ensures that governance processes, decisions, and resource allocations are open, clear, and accessible to all genders. It involves providing information in ways that enable women, men, to understand and engage with governance systems. Significance: Enables informed participation by ensuring all genders have access to information about policies, budgets, and decision-making processes. Reduces corruption and bias by making governance processes visible and accountable to scrutiny. Builds trust in institutions by demonstrating fairness and openness in how decisions are made.

14. Strategies for Promoting Gender Equality in Governance Gender Quotas and Affirmative Action : Implementing quotas for women in parliaments, cabinets, and local governments (e.g., Rwanda’s 30% quota led to women holding over 60% of parliamentary seats). Legal and Policy Reforms : Enacting laws that promote gender equality (e.g., anti-discrimination laws, equal pay legislation). Capacity Building : Training women and gender minorities for leadership roles through mentorship and political education programs.

15. Strategies for Promoting Gender Equality in Governance Institutional Reforms : Creating gender units within government institutions to monitor and promote gender equality. Public Awareness Campaigns : Challenging cultural norms and stereotypes that discourage women’s participation in governance. Addressing Gender-Based Violence : Implementing policies to protect women in politics from harassment and violence and Creating safe spaces for participation in governance processes.