The primary objective behind gender mainstreaming is to design and implement development projects, programs and policies that:
- Do not reinforce existing gender inequalities (Gender Neutral)
- Attempt to redress existing gender inequalities (Gender Sensitive)
- Attempt to re-define women and men’s gender roles and relations (Gender Positive / Transformative)
The degree of integration of a gender perspective in any given project can be seen as a continuum (adapted from Eckman, 2002):
| Gender Negative | Gender Neutral | Gender Sensitive | Gender Positive | Gender Transformative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender inequalities are reinforced to achieve desired development outcomes Uses gender norms, roles and stereotypes that reinforce gender inequalities | Gender is not considered relevant to development outcome Gender norms, roles and relations are not affected (worsened or improved) | Gender is a means to reach set development goals Addressing gender norms, roles and access to resources in so far as needed to reach project goals | Gender is central to achieving positive development outcomes Changing gender norms, roles and access to resources a key component of project outcomes | Gender is central to promoting gender equality and achieving positive development outcomes Transforming unequal gender relations to promote shared power, control of resources, decision-making, and support for women’s empowerment |
Source: UN-INSTRAW (now part of UN Women), Glossary of Gender-related Terms and Concepts