Presentation: promoting innovative approaches –experience made from an international perspective by Annie Demirjian UNDP presented at UNDP Regional Forum on Equal participation in decision-making, Istanbul, 16 November, Session V: Integrating gender equality in public administration

1. Promoting Innovative
Approaches to Gender Equality
Annie Demirjian
Bratislava Regional Centre

2. Innovative Approaches to Gender Equality
• Challenges facing our region – regression in
women’s participation in political life & in public
administration
• General agreement that the issue has to be tacked
at the political, institutional, societal and cultural
levels.
• Concerns raised by women’s groups, bureaucrats,
politicians and community organizations, NGOs for
pro-active measures to have women fully participate
in socio-economic and political life
2011/11/28 Bratislava Regional Center 2

3. How to address the challenges
• There are international best practices – Canadian
approach – women’s equality in public
administration – at the decision making level
• Canada: gender parity in PA but NOT in political
participation. 52% in PA senior positions and 24% in
political participation.
• How did Canada achieve parity in PA
- took a long term view – took us 30 yrs
- leadership came from the highest level – PM
- incorporated gender equality in national policies,
strategies, budgets and other decisions.
2011/11/28 Bratislava Regional Center 3

4. Canadian experience
• How did we do it?
- integrated CD in policy making, strategic
planning, budget decisions – established small units
in key ministries – starting in the Centre – PMO,
MoF/Planning & line ministries
- budgeted activities – not budget neutral!
- generated data, information, analysis & reports to
decision makers & to the public – measured
progress.
- Involved the private sector, CSOs, NGOs in the
discussion
- Worked on developing pool of leaders – role
2011/11/28 Bratislava Regional Center 4

5. Canadian experience……..
- Recognized & publicized the socio-economic
negative impact of inequality – when majority
of populations’ good talent is not used.
- Recognized that men & women are the engines
of growth and prosperity
2011/11/28 Bratislava Regional Center 5

6. Recommendations
• Take a long term view
• Have a realistic goal & strategy
• Work with men – decision makers
• Invest in developing leaders & role models
• Collect data, information, analyze & report on
progress – involve CSOs, private sector
• Strengthen institutional & human resource capacity.
Invest on leaders & role models
• Accountability – make reports public & have
dialogue on progress/regress
• Do not make it budget neutral
2011/11/28 Bratislava Regional Center 6