Sessional Paper No. 05 of 2005 on Gender Equality and Development

Abstract

The Sessional Paper captures and re-iterates Governments commitment in revamping economic growth, raising productivity, facilitating private investment and alleviating unemployment while simultaneously addressing the socio-economic agenda and equality concerns. In this connection. The Sessional Paper underlines the linkages with other Government policies notably the Economic Recovery Strategy Paper (ERS) and recognizes that women and men have different needs. constraints, incentives and expectations regarding the outcomes and impact of development. To deal with gender related obstacles to growth, macro-economic models and resultant application of resources must focus on these gender dimensions. The Sessional Paper spells out the mandates of institutions responsible for implementation of programme namely: Gender Departments, Gender Divisions and the National Commission on Gender and Development. The overall objective of the Policy is to facilitate the mainstreaming of the needs and concerns of women, men, girls and boys in all sectors of development initiatives and driven by the focus by all population groups to participate in and benefit equally from the development process. In this regard the policy framework promotes a more cost-effective way of managing resources to ensure sustainable development. Operationalization of the framework is guided by strategies of implementing programmes within the sectors and prescribes implementation mechanisms in the following sectors: Macro-economic framework, Law and administration of Justice, Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment and Information Communication Technology. The Sectoral Policies spelt out in the Sessional Paper have both short-term and long-term consequences. They aim at transforming the socio-cultural background of the Kenyan Society as well as decision-making and resource allocation mechanisms thereby triggering systems that will give rise to the most widespread development.