Tharaka Nithi County Gender Mainstreaming Policy 2021

Abstract

Equal participation and involvement in development is key to national development. An increase in access and equity in development opportunities for both females and males is critical to socio-economic growth and productivity, increased individual earnings and, subsequently reduced income inequalities and the reduction of poverty. Equal opportunities for development will contribute significantly to improved health, enhanced democracy, good governance and effective leadership. Gender mainstreaming is an internationally accepted strategy to promote sensitivity and integration of gender issues and concerns that affect men and women. An important strategy to bring about gender equity and equality through specific interventions is to integrate gender in institutional policies. This will lead to a transformation in which women and men’s concerns and experiences are an integral part in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes, activities and projects at all levels. Further, this will enable the needs, concerns and experiences of both men and women to become centrally institutionalized beyond projects and programmes to include systems, structures and to ensure that all actors and stakeholders recognize and understand this strategy. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality.