Making Gender Equality a Reality: UNDP and Gender

“Empowering women is not only a goal in itself. It is a condition for building better lives for everyone on the planet.”

- Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

“Equality is a right, equality promotes democracy, and equality is good economics... Promoting gender equality and empowering women underpins global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger.

We have barely five years left to achieve the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals, so using this time for effective action on gender equality is critical.”

- Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator

Making Gender Equality a Reality: UNDP

United Nations Development Programme 2 Liangmahe Nanlu Beijing 100600, China Tel:

(86 10) 8532 0800

Fax: (86 10) 8532 0900 Web: http://www.undp.org.cn

and Gender

Disclaimer and Copyright The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations or UNDP. The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations or UNDP concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Copyright of the United Nations Development Programme. All rights reserved. This publication may be quoted, reproduced or translated, in part or in full, provided the source is acknowledged. It may not be reproduced for any commercial use without the prior written approval of UNDP.

Foreword Among Millennium Development Goals, gender equality is not only an end in itself, but integral for the achievement of the other MDGs, and thus is a continuing priority for UNDP globally and in China. Over the last decades, China has made remarkable progress towards achieving gender equality. Women’s political participation has seen a steady improvement; the overall gender disparities in education have been reduced; and women have more equal rights with respect to employment and social security. Despite these important gains made for women and by women in China in past decades, the 2008 Millennium Development Goals Progress Report reminds us that gender inequality remains to be a challenge. In general, the political participation of women in decision-making and administration still lags behind that of men. Stereotyped working and living patterns are preventing women from realizing their full potential as equal partners.

Moreover, gender imbalances at birth due to preference for boys can potentially hinder the harmonious development of society, over the long-term.

The United Nations Development Programme in China has been supporting efforts to realize the Millennium Development Goals, and to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment as a cross-cutting theme in all UNDP’s work, such as Democratic Governance, Poverty Reduction, Climate Change, HIV/AIDS , and Crisis Prevention and Recovery. Making Gender Equality a Reality: UNDP and Gender illustrates how UNDP China is working for the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment. It provides an overview of UNDP China’s comprehensive gender mainstreaming strategy and provides a snapshot on the practices and experiences on gender mainstreaming and empowerment in UNDP China programmes. The pamphlet shows how UNDP China engages in specific interventions that address the most pressing issues that lead to the empowerment of women, reduction of their vulnerabilities, building their leadership potential, and protecting their human rights.

Realizing gender equality is a continuing and challenging task and we still have a long way to go. We pledge to enhance our efforts with the Chinese government, civil society and all stakeholders for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and for improving lives of both the women and men.

Khalid Malik

UN Resident Coordinator

UNDP Resident Representative

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Gender and UNDP

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Gender in Practice UNDP Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan

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Gender as Participation Promoting Women’s Equal Rights and Participation in Local Governance Poverty Reduction for Ethnic Minorities in China

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Gender from Partnerships Post-Disaster Early Recovery and Disaster Risk Management Developing Innovative Partnerships for the Prevention and Control of HIV among MSM and Promoting Community Ownership in Achieving Universal Access

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Gender for Policy Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence in China through a Multi-sectoral Approach Supporting an All-Around Xiaokang Society

Gender and UNDP China is one of the world’s most

priorities, face different constraints,

the most pressing issues and lead

dynamic and complex societies

and contribute to development in

to the empowerment of women,

undergoing rapid transformation. But

different ways, but that each are

reduction of their vulnerabilities,

despite such economic growth and

accorded equal social value, rights

building their leadership, and

reform, social development has not

and responsibilities, and access

protecting their human rights.

kept pace, and critical challenges

to resources. It is an irreducible

remain. The 2008 Millennium

condition for inclusive, democratic

Gender equality is not just a

Development Goals progress

and sustainable development, and

product, it is also a process, one

reports highlight gender equity

as such, an integral part of UNDP’s

of attending to the context of

and equality as a key deficit for the

mission towards fostering human

relationships, identifying existing

country. Growing gender gaps are

development.

or potential differences between

development, political representation

UNDP is strongly committed to

hidden or overlooked disparities with

and societal attitudes. Although

gender equality, and affirms this

the aim of ensuring development

formal commitments have been

approach throughout its development

benefits are accessible to both. But

made at the central and local levels,

interventions. The country office

more than that, it is a practice, in

gender disparities persist.

adopts a comprehensive gender

recognizing that achieving gender

mainstreaming strategy that

equality effects positive change, and

Gender equality often refers

prioritizes gender as a cross-cutting

makes tangible impacts on the lives

primarily to the rights and

theme, and employs a mutually

of both women and men. It is this

empowerment of women, but

complementary approach that

practice that marks the core mission

sometimes neglects the complex

focuses on mainstreaming a gender

of UNDP and to which it strives; it is

relationship between women and

perspective in all policies and

the recognition that without gender

men that influence their disparate

programmes to redress inequalities

equality, there can be no just human

experiences and needs. UNDP

and improve the lives of women and

development.

recognizes gender equality to mean

men; and investing resources in

that women and men have different

specific interventions that address

UNDP and Gender

women and men, and articulating

evident across areas of economic

Gender in Practice In order to practice gender equality,

making roles. The country office

deeper understanding of its role in

it is first necessary to understand

provides opportunities for its own

sustaining equitable development.

it. UNDP is committed to ensuring

staff and partners to enhance

In doing so, the practice of gender

this not only as a core mission of

and develop their capacity to

equality ensures a more positive

its programmes, but also as a key

effectively mainstream gender

impact on the lives of both women

practice among those responsible

into development interventions.

and men.

for implementing activities and

This speaks not only to the

in leadership and/or decision-

practice of gender equality, but a

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UNDP and Gender

UNDP Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan

programmes, but also integrated

these trainings are extended

into key operations such as human

to counterparts and partners to

resources guidelines, accounting

further effective programming. A

and budgeting, and management

joint training on gender responsive

Gender equality is a global priority

policies. A series of gender training

budgeting was carried out with

for UNDP; as such, each country

workshops have also been carried

UNDP staff members and key

office has implemented a system

out within the office to provide a

government counterparts, helping

to ensure that staff and partners

more comprehensive understanding

to foster enhanced cooperation

have the skills and knowledge to

of both gender sensitivity and

and collaboration on country

effectively mainstream gender into

gender mainstreaming. These

programmes.

development interventions. In China,

trainings cover basic concepts,

the country office has initiated a

causes and factors of gender

These steps are important towards

range of activities, including the

discrimination, gender stereotypes

ensuring that gender equality is not

establishment of a Gender Task

and sexual harassment. Further

just a concept, but also a practice;

Force, in order to provide guidance

training has been conducted in

this means that both UNDP and

and enhance gender equality

sector specific thematic areas

counterparts are able to mainstream

throughout both programming and

with a regional gender advisor,

gender into development

operations.

covering gender mainstreaming in

interventions, and apply gender

governance, poverty alleviation and

sensitivity to the design and

environmental issues.

implementation of programmes.

The task force is comprised of members of the UNDP staff, and

But more than that, it is the

maintains both programmatic and

These initiatives are designed to

understanding that gender equality

operational oversight in the office. It

ensure that members of UNDP

is an integral part of sustainable

serves as a resource clearinghouse,

staff are able to develop their own

development, and practice makes

offering support to the staff to

capacity on gender mainstreaming

perfect.

ensure that gender is not only

and have a clear understanding of

mainstreamed throughout country

gender sensitivity. More importantly,

Gender as Participation UNDP is committed to safeguarding

women and men are not only

represented if not invisible in many

the equal participation of both

empowered to effect change in

sectors of the political process

women and men in development

their own lives, but of those in their

in the country. Recent studies

interventions, and to ensuring their

communities.

show that women occupy only 8.1

inclusion in leadership roles and

12.6 percent of director general

tailor the interventions to effectively

There is an old saying in China

The marginalization of women’s

ensure gender equality within the

that asserts, “women hold up half

political participation not only

local context. This means that

the sky.” Yet women remain under-

impedes the promotion of good

programmes, UNDP attends to the different needs and challenges that affect women and men, and

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percent of ministerial positions and

Promoting Women’s Equal Rights and Participation in Local Governance

decision-making processes. In its

positions; at the village levels, the participation is even lower, declining from 16.1 to 15.1 percent in 2004.

women activists, gender experts and non-governmental organisations in high-level workshops to discuss good governance and gender equity.

These workshops were organised

by Peking University to establish a solid platform with which to advocate for the equal representation of both women and men’s interest in the political process, and as a prerequisite towards enabling good governance.

Through this programme and the support of UNDP, a system has Gender equality isn’t just a process, it’s a practice; it is understanding that by integrating gender sensitivity into every aspect of development makes tangible impacts on the lives of both women and men.

been implemented that ensures

governance, but also precludes the

community members, and were

pilots. In addition, local networks

equal representation of both women

designed to build up the capacity of

among women’s groups, activists

and men’s interests in the political

female village leader heads as well

and leaders have been established

process and institutions.

as train up potential female leaders.

in order to promote experience

the increased political participation

sharing and resource exchanges.

Drawing upon its network of experts

At the national level, UNDP

The pilot projects serve as a

and experience, UNDP works

facilitates important policy dialogue

productive model with which to

in concert with state institutions,

between government institutions

expand to other regions for the

civil society organisations and

and civil society, bringing together

inclusion of women into local politics,

UNDP and Gender

of women and their interests in the

research centers to strengthen the role of women in decision-making processes by ensuring access to participation in political systems as well as developing a more enabling environment from which to do so.

As part of this programme, training workshops were carried out in two pilot counties using specially developed training curriculums.

The courses included topics such as leadership and management skills, electoral and organic laws and regulations and gender empowerment on microfinance.

Trainings specifically targeted local women’s organisations and

Although tradition recognizes men as the breadwinners, research shows us that women are responsible for making it last.

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As part of this

demonstration site was established

programme, a pilot

to develop the tourism industry

project was carried

through eco-tourism, developing

out in eight ethnic

such sectors as cultural handicrafts,

minority villages

homestays and hiking/trekking

to establish small

guides. There were training

micro-projects to

workshops that targeted the different

generate income

skills of women and men, but

for households and

brought them together to develop a

the community. In

community of ethnic artisans. As a

particular, women

complement to skills development,

were targeted in this

women were integrated into the

UNDP and Gender

and local trainings directed to both

initiative to pursue projects such

creation of village level enterprises

women and men at the village level

as diversifying agricultural and/or

and community businesses, serving

have emphasized the importance

animal husbandry, handicraft and/

in decision-making roles to create

of equal representation and good

or artisan development, community

synergies between the community

governance. Such activities take

based tourism facilities, and

and the market.

care to ensure that women, indeed,

health and social service delivery

hold up half the sky.

improvements; moreover, their

At the crux of this programme

participation ensured not only

is the value placed on the equal

increased income, but were able

participation of both women

to support their children, especially

and men in poverty-reducing

girls, to receive an education.

interventions; as an integral part

Poverty Reduction for Ethnic Minorities in China

of the family and of the larger

In China, ethnic minority populations rank amongst the poorest in the

Similarly, in Yunnan and Xinjiang, a

community, it is important that the

country, with more than half of the designated poor counties located in these regions. In particular, women are systematically excluded from social and economic opportunities, leading them to bear the greatest burden of poverty. There is no doubt that the participation of both women and men is critical to empowering communities and enabling families to sustain their own livelihoods.

Despite prolific literature highlighting the critical contributions women make to human development, there continues to be severe gender disparities within these regions, and poverty continues to disproportionately affect women.

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A woman once joked that, “women may hold up half the sky but men get paid for it;� in fact, women’s salaries in China are only 74 percent of that of men. Gender equality means that the different contributions of both men and women are recognized, and that they are attributed equal social value, equal rights and responsibilities, and equal access to resources.

role and contributions of women

An old Chinese proverb teaches,

you feed him for a lifetime.” Perhaps

are not neglected, nor are they

“Give a man a fish and you feed him

a wiser practice would be to extend

excluded from such opportunities.

for a day. Teach a man to fish and

this right to women.

UNDP has developed an extensive

to attend to the different needs that

early recovery programme is

and substantive network of

face women and men in both the

the introduction of participatory

global partners from which to

preparation and recovery phases

vulnerability analysis (PVA) used to

leverage human and financial

of such adversity. UNDP is strongly

help local communities identify the

support towards fostering human

committed towards ensuring

needs and challenges of vulnerable

development. In China, it is through

that gender considerations are

social groups, including women, and

such strategic partnerships with

mainstreamed into all phases of

how to most effectively respond to

government institutions, bilateral/

disaster management. This means

and mitigate future risks towards

multilateral donors, international

that not only are women and men

rebuilding and strengthening their

and civil society organizations and

equally prepared for disasters, but

homes.

the private sector that have helped

also are able to recover in their

to emphasize gender equality as

wake.

As a tripartite partnership between

not just a priority for development,

UNDP, All

but that as a practice that can effect

China Women’s

change in people’s lives. In the

Federation

recognition that gender is a multi-

(ACWF) and

sectoral issue, cutting across all

ActionAid

genres, it is these partnerships that

International,

are integral towards safeguarding

this programme

the participation and equal

launched

representation of both women and

a series of

men in all sectors of society. As

workshops to

such, the commitment of UNDP

train village

towards gender equality is not only

level officials

reflected in its partnerships, but in its practice.

Post-Disaster Early Recovery and Disaster Risk Management

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a woman to fish and you feed the family for a lifetime,” perhaps is a more appropriate saying to highlight the need for gender equality in development and the impacts it can have on the community.

UNDP and Gender

Gender from Partnerships

and local ACWF branches to apply PVA methodologies

In order to ensure a comprehensive

to identify risk and vulnerabilities

approach to disaster risk

in their communities. The focus

management, this programme

was on understanding the context

Each year, the incidence of

promotes an integrated, holistic

of gender relations, how this

disasters has devastating effects on

and complementary approach by

influences the needs and challenges

the lives of millions of people. More

leveraging the strengths of different

of women and men, and how to

often than not, women are among

partners to maximize the benefits to

effectively account for this. These

the most vulnerable populations

the communities. A key component

concerns were integrated into a

following a disaster, and it is critical

of the post-Wenchuan earthquake

disaster management framework

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developed by the participants,

concerned with attention to the

awareness. These meetings enjoyed

tailored to local conditions with an

needs of both women and men, but

the participation of public health

infrastructure in place for execution

also to the needs of marginalized

institutions as well as care and

and implementation.

populations that struggle with issues

support groups to further address

of gender identity. More often than

some of the key concerns for this

not, groups such as men who have

population. As a result, the China

sex with men (MSM) are neglected

MSM Business Owner Cooperation

in both society and in development

Network was established, with a

interventions; however, gender

task force of 10 volunteers from

identity is also a crucial component

different sectors formed in order

that has serious implications for

to ensure the sustainability of this

human development, such as

initiative.

These participatory activities helped to draw linkages between vulnerability and poverty, articulating how women and men have different needs and challenges both prior

UNDP and Gender

to and how to deal with. This innovative partnership underscores the value of cooperation in order to meet the overwhelming challenges of disasters. By engaging across sectors and across themes, this programme ensures a more resilient community that is not only equipped to deal with future disasters, but is able to do so in a gender sensitive way, ensuring that the needs of vulnerable women are not left in the wake, but are strongly embedded in the infrastructure. In this way, partnerships not only catalyze change, but also stimulate progress.

Developing Innovative Partnerships for the Prevention and Control of HIV among MSM and Promoting Community Ownership in Achieving Universal Access In its commitment towards gender equality in China, UNDP is not only

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HIV/AIDS. In China, UNDP has developed innovative partnerships

The subsequent meetings that were

in order to both highlight the need

held brought together over 100

for cooperation and collaboration

participants from different levels

to combat HIV/AIDS, and to signify

of the Centers for Disease Control

the importance of gender identity to

(CDCs), international organizations

such interventions.

such as the Gates Foundation and International AIDS Alliance, the UN

In Suzhou, UNDP brought together

Technical Working Group on MSM

over 50 small business owners to

and HIV, and community MSM

discuss their roles and areas of

groups. To date, these have been

support in responding to AIDS; in

the largest MSM meetings in China

addition, three condom companies

thus far. A key achievement from this

and four MSM community groups

conference was the creation of the

attended to discuss how to most

China Tongzhi Health Forum, which

effectively work together to increase

provides an advocacy and resource

platform for MSM communities to

communities are able to not

complementary partnerships

network and support each other.

only engage and dialogue with

can make in the AIDS fight. But

More importantly, it acts as a stage

government institutions, small

more importantly, it underscores

for which traditionally marginalized

business owners and international

the importance that gender, in its

communities are given a voice.

donors, but also to be heard. These

many forms, has towards building

actions reflect a recognition of the

community empowerment and the

The innovation of these partnerships

needs of the MSM community,

impact this can have on people’s

is that for the first time, MSM

and the role that unlikely yet

lives.

UNDP ensures that its commitment

China, studies have found that

but are also able to effectively

to gender equality makes an impact

violence occurs in 35 percent of

implement them and monitor judicial

at all levels, from effecting change

marriages, yet only 5 percent of

outcomes.

at the community level to enacting

the women reported an unhappy

policy recommendations at the

marriage. Despite recognition by

Efforts will also target local

national level. This means that not

the government of the adverse

communities to raise awareness

only are individual women and men

impacts this has on both individual

about the incidence of violence

able to participate in development

lives and social development,

against women, especially men

interventions, but that they are

there remains a critical need for a

and male youths. As part of

equipped with the necessary tools

comprehensive national law against

this initiative, UNDP will assist

and environment with which to

domestic violence in the country.

in launching public awareness

do so. It is critical that those in

As part of a cooperative effort to

campaigns and the development

leadership and decision making

enact such a policy shift, UNDP has

of information, education, and

positions understand the different

teamed up with other UN agencies

communication materials (IEC) to

challenges that face women and

on a joint programme to safeguard

change men’s attitudes regarding

men in order to make effective

the prevention and protection of

domestic violence and act as

policy recommendations so that

women against violence through

agents of positive change. A

the challenges of both are equally

the improvement of relevant policies

joint communications kit will be

addressed.

and laws.

developed by this joint program

UNDP and Gender

Gender for Policy

as an advocacy tool to lobby for

Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence in China through a Multi-sectoral Approach

This programme aims to develop a

the passing of domestic violence

‘domestic violence prevention and

legislation, and will be presented to

response model’ that establishes

leading policymakers.

respond to domestic violence

Through this initiative, not only

Domestic violence against women

cases, and ensures the legal

will policymakers at all levels

remains one of the most persistent

protection of women under such

of government have a deeper

violations of human rights in the

conditions. UNDP will conduct

understanding of the adverse

world. In many countries, it remains

training workshops with the Ministry

impacts of violence against

an under-reported phenomenon,

of Justice of China to ensure key

women, but also be in positions

and often women accept it as a

legal players not only have a clear

to enact legislation against it. The

part of their everyday lives. In

understanding of legal regulations,

implementation of such policies

a functioning system to effectively

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UNDP and Gender

will help to provide a safe and

developed in alignment to the UN

received and enrollment rates of

enabling environment for women to

Millennium Development Goals to

compulsory education to identify

seek support. This is a critical step

implement a more people centered

gender disparities. In social welfare,

towards ensuring the prevention

approach to human development. As

disaggregated data is collected on

and protection of women against

such, this program has mainstreamed

insurance coverage and minimum

violence; more importantly, it is

gender concerns throughout the

living insurance to understand how

a step towards a more equitable

framework and developed gender

women and men are impacted by

development that respects the rights

specific indicators to measure its

economic disparities. And in labor

of both women and men.

progress. For example, goal 3 of the

and employment, the indicators

MDGs to promote gender equality

assess trends in employment

Supporting an All-Around Xiaokang Society

and empower women works in

between women and men and

tandem with the Xiaokang goal that

unemployment rates to determine

measures the proposal of seats

how best to create policies to extend

Although China has made

in key political positions, such as

opportunities to both. These tools

tremendous progress in

the People’s Congress and the

help the government to recognize

meeting many of the Millennium

Political Consultative Committee.

what some of their key challenges to

Development Goals (MDGs), there

There are also gender specific

addressing gender disparities are,

still remains continuing challenges

indicators to improve women’s

and how best to respond through

towards ensuring that economic

health in terms of maternal mortality

policy and practice.

and social development is not

and impact of epidemics among

only balanced, but also equitable

women, particularly in the HIV/AIDS

The vision of a Xiaokang society

around the country. As part of the

epidemic; this indicator is aligned

is the recognition that sustainable

national development plans to build

to goal 5 of the MDGs that aims

human development is not just

a Xiaokang society, which aims to

to improve maternal health. The

economic and social growth, but

enhance an all around harmonious

complementarity of the Xiaokang

that it is balanced and equitable

and well-off environment, UNDP

indicators and the Millennium

growth that extends to all members

is working with the government to

Development Goals not only builds a

of society, women and men alike.

develop an indicator system that

solid infrastructure to monitor China’s

In this way, UNDP supports the

will help to monitor the county’s

progress in developing a well-off

government to develop these

continuing progress as well as

society, but also provides the tangible

indicators in order to promote a

identify key challenges. Given that

objectives for reaching it.

more responsive policy environment

gender disparity is recognized as one of the key gaps in China’s

In addition to gender specific

challenges. In doing so, gender

development, this program has

indicators, this program also uses

disparity is not only addressed,

incorporated gender specific

disaggregated data between

but it is recognized as a necessary

indicators and the collection of

women and men in order to ensure

and integral component towards

disaggregated data to help with

that the interests and impacts

the achievement of a harmonious

gender analysis. In doing so, UNDP

on both are recognized, and that

society. By ensuring that women

is working in partnership with

policies are developed to address

and men are able to participate

the government to build a more

the different challenges they both

equally in the process of growth and

effective policy development and

face. For example, in education,

development, in time, Xiaokang will

implementation system.

these indicators differentiate

not only simply be a vision, it will be

between women and men in terms

a reality.

The Xiaokang indicators have been

10

from which to meet these

of average length of education

“Empowering women is not only a goal in itself. It is a condition for building better lives for everyone on the planet.”

- Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

“Equality is a right, equality promotes democracy, and equality is good economics... Promoting gender equality and empowering women underpins global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger.

We have barely five years left to achieve the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals, so using this time for effective action on gender equality is critical.”

- Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator

Making Gender Equality a Reality: UNDP

United Nations Development Programme 2 Liangmahe Nanlu Beijing 100600, China Tel:

(86 10) 8532 0800

Fax: (86 10) 8532 0900 Web: http://www.undp.org.cn

and Gender