Sex, Lies and Evaluation Canberra Evaluation Forum 16 August 2012 Mairi Steele Office for Women FaHCSIA

So what about sex……. Its about Gender! Gender is more than the physical sex of an individual It’s a combination of physical sex plus the characteristics attributed by society Socially constructed so amenable to change – in ways that can make society more just, fair and equitable

…and the lies…… Are we looking for depth of analysis of gender differences? There is gender equality in Australia and we don’t need to bother anymore… But we do… Women constituted 57.1 per cent of higher education degree graduates in 2011 but Women graduates earn $2000 (median earnings) less than their male counterparts in their first year of employment Australian women overall earn, on average, only 82.6 per cent of men’s earnings The average superannuation payout for women of $112,600 is only 43% of men’s average payout.

…and Evaluation….. appropriateness effectiveness efficiency of programs and policies – are we achieving the desired outcomes and results? Are they all free from gender bias and effect – intended and unintended?

Priority Areas for Government Reducing violence against women Increasing women’s economic security Ensuring women’s equal place in society

Where do the priorities come from? International obligations, including The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) the Beijing Platform of Action (BPFA) ILO conventions Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in particular #3 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality (PoA) 2005-2015 Domestic laws including the Sex Discrimination Act; Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act; the Fair Work Act. OfW Government & International

Role of OfW Responsibility for election commitments Develop and influence policy, Cabinet and Budget decision-making to ensure women's interests are considered provide high level advice to the Minister for the Status of Women provide national leadership in reducing violence, in particular the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children advise on legislative issues relating to women provide the principal focus on consultation between the women’s sector (NGOs) and Government represent Government at national and international forums on women’s issues, such as the United Nations and APEC Office for Women

What is Gender Mainstreaming? Mainstreaming a gender perspective is the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. It is a strategy for making women's as well as men's concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality. (ECOSOC 1997/2)

The Women’s Statement 2012 “Importantly, this Statement reaffirms our commitment to equality, with a strong focus on increasing women’s participation in the workforce and their economic security.” “All Australian Government Ministers and Departments share a responsibility for delivering equality for women, and for considering the needs of different women, particularly those who may face multiple barriers to full participation in work and community life.” Women’s Statement 2012 – Achievements and Budget Measures

How? Gender Analysis Identify and make visible the different needs, priorities, capabilities, experiences, and views of women, men, girls and boys in the family and in community; at work and in legal economic, social and political structures

One approach….. Collect sex disaggregated household, workplace and community data/information Look for gender patterns and understand different needs, priorities and strengths of women, men, girls and boys Assess the barriers and constraints to women and men participating and benefiting equally in society Assess whether policy or programs empower women, address strategic gender interests and transform gender relations and address gender inequality? Develop gender-sensitive indicators, monitor participation, benefits, the effectiveness of gender equality strategies, and changes in gender relations.

An Everyday Approach.. Ask three basic questions… The woman question The man question The institutional or structural question Elizabeth Broderick Applying a gender perspective in public policy

How can OfW help? Provide gender training and factsheets Comment on policy proposals when asked Maintain the Gender Panel to assist Departments engage experts on gender equality Comment on cabinet submission from a gender equality perspective Assist Departments in meeting Government priorities, for example the Government’s target for women and men on Government Boards – by collecting the data and ensuring it is of the highest quality and providing practical assistance.

OECD: EMBEDDING GENDER EQUALITY IN PUBLIC POLICY Key findings Limited government accountability, lack of awareness and a lack of capacity within the public service to carry out assessments of impacts of various policy choices on men and women are among the barriers towards more effective gender equality policies. Public agencies supporting gender equality play an important role in mainstreaming gender considerations in policy development and service delivery, but often face challenges of visibility and authority to effectively pursue a coherent government approach in advancing gender equality across policy areas and levels of government. The availability of gender-disaggregated data varies across policy areas, and hampers the public ability to undertake robust analysis of gender effects of policy decisions and make informed policy choices. Source: Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship: Final Report to the MCM 2012 C/MIN(2012)5 http://www.oecd.org/employment/50423364.pdf

Thank you for listening! mairi.steele@fahcsia.gov.au