Appendix 3 - Gender-based Analysis

The following is an overview of federal, provincial and territorial approaches to gender-based analysis.

Government

Government of Canada

Status of Women Canada (SWC) has responsibility for gender-based analysis from a capacity-building mandate. SWC has created multiple templates and tools for applications, for guidance, for measurement, for evaluating, and for training. The focus has moved from individual capacity to organizational capacity in order to ensure organizations are in a position to make gender-based analysis sustainable. As part of this work, SWC has developed a Gender-Based Analysis Information Kit.

Since 1995, various departments have implemented mechanisms and approaches to integrating GBA. By 2005-2006, the approaches departments used covered the full spectrum of activities, from the integration of GBA into departmental strategic frameworks and business lines, to establishing networks of GBA specialists, offering training, and developing tools and resources.

In their roles as the federal government's central agencies, Treasury Board Secretariat, Privy Council Office and Finance Canada each plays a critical “ challenge" role in ensuring departments take into account all relevant factors, including gender considerations, in the development of policies and programs. It is, however, the responsibility of individual departments and agencies to ensure the completion of an exhaustive analysis of proposed policies and programs, including the application of GBA and the inclusion of gender considerations.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The application of gender-based analysis is not mandated in legislation but is strongly encouraged in the policy development process. The Women's Policy Office (WPO) receives copies of all Cabinet and Cabinet Committee agendas. This provides the Office the opportunity to review submissions. Further, Cabinet Secretariat ensures that the WPO is consulted and have an opportunity to provide input into analysis of relevant submissions to Cabinet.

The Public Service Secretariat and the WPO is piloting new training directed to policy analysts in the application of gender-based analysis developed by Status of Women Canada.

Prince Edward Island

In PEI, all materials requiring decisions from the executive level are reviewed in a manner that includes the application of guidelines for gender and diversity considerations. These guidelines were endorsed in March 2005 and are to be utilized in policy development and implementation.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia's Advisory Council on the Status of Women is consulted on an informal basis by departments on the development of policy. The Council is working with the School of Public Administration to strengthen and further explore international experience in various gender mainstreaming approaches.

As an example of the use of GBA, Nova Scotia conducted a comprehensive gender-based analysis of its HIV/AIDS strategy.

New Brunswick

Gender-based analysis in New Brunswick is mandated by Cabinet, not legislated. It applies to all departments, policies and programs. The Women's Issues Branch reviews all Executive level submissions for gender impact.

Québec

Gender-based analysis was introduced in the Québec government on an experimental basis from 1997 to 2004, with the participation of 11 departments and agencies, to determine best practices and suggest flexible solutions to ensure effective, efficient implementation of GBA in all government action.

In follow-up to the Report on experimentation with gender-based analysis in the Government of Québec: lessons learned and benefits gained, published in 2005, the Government of Québec committed to have all departments and agencies integrate GBA in at least 15 government policies, measures, reforms or services by 2008.

Ontario

The Ontario Women's Directorate reviews relevant proposals brought forward to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees with a view to identify gender issues and implications. In addition, the Directorate leads or supports inter-ministerial committees that work horizontally across ministries on specific policy issues that affect women (e.g. Ministers' Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence and Assistant Deputy Ministers' Committee on Women's Issues, representing approximately 13 ministries addressing gender issues).

Gender-based analysis is not mandatory for ministries. However, ministries have taken steps to address gender-based issues (e.g. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has a longstanding Women's Health Council to monitor, research and advise on health issues from a gender lens; and the Ministry of Labour has produced materials on gender-based analysis for use by government departments).

Manitoba

Manitoba has taken steps to develop a better understanding of both theory and practical application of gender-based analysis. The Women's Directorate is assisting all programs and services, and those developing legislation to incorporate a gender lens to the process. It has established general and group-specific training workshops. It has also conducted a gender-based review of the latest budget; this will be an ongoing process. A booklet, “ Gender and Diversity Analysis", was distributed to all deputy ministers, for circulation to policy managers, which sets out the steps involved in conducting both a gender-based and a diversity analysis.

In early 2005, Manitoba provided a grant of $10,000 to the United Nations Platform for Action Committee (UNPAC) and Manitoba government officials have met with UNPAC to discuss options for furthering gender and diversity based budget analysis within government.

During the reporting period, the Department of Health sponsored a gender analysis project with regional health authorities. The Department of Labour and Immigration instituted a gender-based analysis as part of the review of The Employment Standards Code. Community budget consultations by the government have involved 200 participants in 21 sessions to date.

Saskatchewan

Decisions that go to Saskatchewan's executive level are scrutinized with both gender-based and diversity lenses. Virtually all senior policy advisors and analysts receive training in gender-based and diversity analysis.

Education and training tools and seminars are developed and offered by the Status of Women Office to government employees and external stakeholders. From 2002-2003 to 2006, about 563 people have attended presentations or training sessions on gender-based and diversity analysis.

Alberta

Work on gender-based analysis is being conducted in Alberta on a limited basis. Alberta's status of women officials are part of the Human Rights and Citizenship Branch, Alberta Community Development. Status of women officials integrate GBA into their collaborative and advisory work within their ministry and with other government departments. This is done through internal briefings and policy advice, involvement on interdepartmental committees, and resource development.

British Columbia

In 2003, the Ministry of Community Services provided BC ministries with a Guide to Best Practices in Gender Analysis, as a simple, practical tool to ensure gender considerations in all policy, program and legislative development, implementation and evaluation.

Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut supports Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women's Council in its activites to develop public awareness about issues affecting women and women's equality. The Government will continue to encourage Nunavummiut to discuss, exchange views, and to challenge attitudes or situations that are harmful to Nunavut women.

Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is examining approaches to incorporate gender-based analysis in policy, program and legislative development and review.

Yukon

Yukon government departments continue to be required to consider gender issues as part of their policy development and analysis processes.

The Women's Directorate undertakes various initiatives aimed at increasing the use of GBA, including development of a ‘quick guide' to the key concepts and questions; presentations on its mandate and services (including gender analysis) as part of the Orientation to the Government of Yukon course; development of a course that introduces the concepts of gender and opportunities for policy analysts and directors, communications and program officers to work with gender inclusive analysis in the policy development cycle.

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