4. How can the justice sector advance gender
equality and integrate a gender perspective?
To achieve a justice sector which integrates a gender perspective and promotes gender
equality, measures need to be taken at all levels. A holistic, multisectoral approach –
integrating different actors and undertaking a number of different measures – offers the
greatest potential to effect lasting change. Drawing upon documented good practice from
different regions, this section gives an overview of key strategies that can be considered
individually, but ideally in combination. Figure 3 illustrates some of the ways that key
elements in gender-responsive justice reform intersect.
Section 5 includes case studies that illustrate some of these approaches, and prompts to
think about these steps for change are included in the self-assessment guide in Section 6.
Figure 3: Integrating a gender perspective in the justice sector
Gender
mainstreaming in
justice reform
Gender-sensitive
decision-making
Throughout reform
process
Inception and
planning
Justice sector and
reform actors
sensitized to gender
In policy and
legislative
development
Implementation
Gender-responsive
legislative and policy
framework
Throughout the
justice sector
Monitoring and
evaluation
Justice sector
responsive to the needs
of diverse groups
Training and
mentoring
Justce sector
institutions
Representing
justice sector and
refroms actors
Equal access to
justice irrespective
of gender
Management and
oversight bodies
Legal empowerment
of women and LGBTI
people
Including programmes
to address sexual
violence and GBV
Throughout reform
process
Requisite budgetary
and political support
including
management and
oversight bodies
Throughout the
justice sector
Gender equality and
human rights public
awareness raising
Barriers to equality
and inclusion
addressed
In leadership and
decision-making roles
Cultural, structural and
institutional barriers to
equality and inclusion
addressed
Active and meaningful
participation of
diverse groups
Excercise influence
(not just presence)
Gender
mainstreaming is
comprehensive
… is not
reducible to
tokenistic
recruitment
… is long term
and wide-ranging
… is inclusive and
context-specific
Image: Men in Cameroon
participating in the campaign,
“Women in Action against
Gender Based Violence”, 2008
© Center for Women’s Global
Leadership.
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