1 GENDER MAINSTREAMING Alignment of Politics, Programmes and Public Services toward Equality between women and men in Styria Heide Cortolezis Bettina Vollath

2 Short Introduction: Theoretical concept EQUAL pushed Gender Mainstreaming Practical realisation in Styria as a cross-section theme What top down means How gender goes mainstream GM needs structure GM needs Know-how GENDER MAINSTREAMING in STYRIA

3 3 Dimensions of Organisations 1. Dimension: Strategy (governing objectives, guiding principles) 2. Dimension: Structures (Processes, procedures, expiration) 3. Dimension: Culture (guiding values, know-how) GM: Integrated equality goals Existing objectives GM: Structures have to be changed! Theoretical concept of GM GM-know-how has to be built up

4 Implementation of GM results in change Initial state Visible through analysis Objective turn to Equality Realistic way 6 Steps-Method Change needs: a common case for action (situation that requires solution) an attractive objective a realistic way to reach the goal

5 GM: Six-Steps-Method (Tondorf) 1.Equality goal 2. Analysis of obstructions 3. Development of Options 4. Analysis of these Options 5. Realisation 6. Evaluation Analysis of actual state Definition of target state Theses regarding the obstructions e.g. 4-R-Method Report, cause analysis in case of goal deviation Controlling Selection of options, specify measuring criteria and evaluation Formulated options for the over- coming of the obstructions

6 How Equal pushed Equality 2003 within the framework of the EQUAL project JUST GEM in Styria started a simultaneous and consolidated process in which organisations with political impact have been supported to gear their programmes, products and public services toward equality of men and women. The theoretical base and associated methods and tools have been developed. Seminars for managing and directing personnel of organisations dealing with regional policies have been carried out. Employees of these organisations are trained as Gender Agents for staff functions required by the implementation process. After this political relevant organisations carried out pilot projects which follow the 6-Steps-Method. (e.g. Graz City Council; Federation of Austrian Industry; Austrian Trade Union Federation; Regional Business Platform; Federal Office of Social Welfare; Styrian Innovation Centres; Public Employment Service Styria)

7 How Equal boosts Equality Since 2005 the EQUAL project aimes at deepening Gender Mainstreaming. Those public and political organisations which got training and support within JUST GeM now are acting as active multiplier and supporter for implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in other organisations in their political fields. POP UP GeM now goes the next step and will broaden the efforts into the private sector. We support the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in the policies and strategies of leading firms in Styria. Leading firms of the private industry carry out pilot projects to implement horizontal and vertical equality of men and women following the 6-Steps-Method. This will show how the firms will benefit from equality of women and men and start a discussing process between political and public organisations and private industries about the necessary regulations and conditions.

8 ! ! GENDER MAINSTREAMING in STYRA follows the 6-Steps-Method Dr.in Bettina Vollath Government of Styria Minister for Youth, Women, Family and Education

9 What top down means Equality or inequality of women and men has social and economic consequences and effects. The social, employment and economic system, as well as norms and values have to anchor the advancement of gender equality. Gender Mainstreaming is a top-down strategy, thus only those who have power base or are explicitly authorized can launch the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming. The Styrian Government decided unanimously to install a staff position for Gender Mainstreaming, authorised to control all strategies, programs and measures, to render an expert opinion which has to factor all decisions. Aside from this the department will support the change within the organisation at all levels.

10 How Gender goes mainstream Integration of GM into daily work means, that equality of women and men is a cross-section subject and the gender perspective is a matter of course. It needs awareness of the fact that everything which humans concern, concerns women and men. GM does not put the general strategy into question – equality goals have to be integrated into each strategic objective. By definition GM requires that all actors involved in decision- making processes focus on equality. This presupposes an organisational routine, which ensures that (different) effects on women and men will be considered at all levels and all actions are working toward the (integrated) equality goals.

11 GM needs structure The realisation of Gender Mainstreaming can be realised in long term, if a system is established in the organisation, that guarantees the integration of a gender perspective into all systems of data acquisition, planning, controlling and evaluation. Gender Mainstreaming needs a clear order, a systematically procedure and know-how. The way toward equality of women and men is successful if effects on equality are analysed before planned actions are realised. Thus e.g. the Styrian Government gave order that all steps of planning the Styrian Structural Funds programmes 2007 – 2013 have to be controlled by a Gender Expert.

12 GM needs Know How Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming leads to change and thus has to be accompanied by building up new competences within the organisations at all levels. Actors have to know what equality between women and men in the respective context means. Integration of GM into daily work means, that equality of women and men is a cross-section subject and the gender perspective is a matter of course. It needs awareness of the fact that everything which humans concern, concerns women and men. To consider this should become routine. Gender mainstreaming is successful if all actors on the different levels have got knowledge fitting exactly to their tasks during the conversion process. Therefore the demand of know- how must be specified on all levels.