Re-thinking gender mainstreaming in African NGOs and communities

Gender equality in Africa: overcoming local resistance

By: Wendoh S & Wallace T
Published by: Oxfam , 2005
Via: Siyanda

This article looks at the reasons for resistance to gender mainstreaming initiatives among local NGOs and communities in Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda and the Gambia. It is based on research carried out by Transform Africa, which aimed to enhance understanding of what gender equality means in the context of different African countries.

Findings show that gender mainstreaming is often perceived by local NGOs and communities as a foreign idea that is imposed on them by those with power. The speed with which gender mainstreaming is implemented and the blanket approach of policy-makers to complex realities on the ground are also identified as problems. These approaches have little impact because they ignore the processes required to change long-held beliefs and practices.

The article argues that for gender mainstreaming to be effective it needs to create a sense of ownership by involving local NGOs and communities in the mainstreaming process. In particular, women must stop being seen as a target group and should instead be supported in their efforts to define and work for the changes they need. The most successful gender mainstreaming initiatives have worked with local people’s beliefs and realities, and allowed sufficient time for attitudinal change in both local people and NGO staff.