The notion of gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) has over the years evolved from being a normative principle enshrined in universally agreed human rights principles and standards, to recognition as a critical pre- requisite for social, economic and political transformation and sustainable development.
This a rmation is explicit in the commitments outlined in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 among others.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Gender Policy Framework (2012-2020), as well as relevant policies and strategies within all its Member States (MSs) acknowledge the importance of GEWE in unlocking key development challenges of the region.
It is not su cient to acknowledge and make pledges on GEWE. Commitments must be translated into actions and implemented in order to deliver and sustain change. This calls for strengthened institutional systems, structures and processes to ensure e ective implementation.
The IGAD Gender Management System (GMS) Handbook lays out internal structures, mechanisms and processes to guide, plan, monitor and evaluate progress in mainstreaming gender and promoting women’s empowerment across IGAD divisions, programs and o ces. It also establishes mechanisms for leadership and oversight by IGAD Policy Organs.
Whereas IGAD Secretariat will ensure functionality of the GMS, it is important for all relevant actors and stakeholders to be fully aware of the system and to take requisite actions. The GMS Handbook delineates speci c roles and responsibilities of various duty bearers and establishes mechanisms for functionality.
I urge all stakeholders in the IGAD GMS to play their part in ensuring that GEWE is an integral and intrinsic quality of our service delivery to the region.
 inside Hand Book.pdf | [ ] | 313 kB |