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REVISED DRAFT 25 July 2000 (work in progress) Checklist for Integration of Gender and Women’s Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
I. GENERAL QUESTIONS ON GENDER INTEGRATION 1. Sex-specific language q Are general references made to "persons," "victims" or "citizens," "refugees", "migrants", "indigenous groups", "minorities", "disabled", "elderly" or to males and females specifically in OHCHR documents and reports whenever there is reason to? q Are both masculine and feminine pronouns clearly indicating that both females and males are included in the reference? 2. Sex-Disaggregated Data q Has sex-disaggregated data been used? q Is the data or assessment provided adequate to any differential measure of gender impacts? q Where sex-disaggregated information is not available, has this gap been acknowledged? q Has information on other relevant cross-cutting factors also been provided (e.g., age, ethnicity, and class)? q Is analysis of the data available? 3. Evidence of gender analysis q Does the problem analysis identify gender gaps? Or gender dimensions? q Does the analysis of causes, consequences, remedies, and preventive actions identify possible different implications for females and males at all levels? 4. Indicators for effective gender mainstreaming q Have indicators for gender mainstreaming been established? q If so, how effectively has gender been mainstreamed in this case? q If not, how can such indicators be developed and who should be responsible for this? II. REPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS 1. Analysis of Violations of Women’s Human Rights q Does the report analyse the relationship between violations reported against women and their subordinate status in public and private life? q Does the report provide substantive comment or factual examples of violations? q Does the report consider factors that might lead to double discrimination against women (e.g., age, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, sexual orientation, etc.)? q Do reporting guidelines pay enough attention to gender issues (beyond disaggregated data)? 2. Gender Analysis of Circumstances, Consequences and Remedies of Violations q Does the report include violations not specifically targeting women but from which women experience gender-specific forms of abuse, different circumstances of abuse, different consequences, and for which women require different remedies and means of prevention? q Does the report include analysis of the situation of boys and girls and the different ways in which boys and girls may suffer particular violations? 3. Organization of Information q Are women's human rights addressed only in a separate section (e.g., on "women's issues" or "the situation of women") or are differences between women and men considered in each section dealing with a substantive issue? Or both? q Are women's human rights discussed only in conjunction with children's rights? Only as related to a "vulnerable group"? 4. Sources of Information q Does the report draw on sources of information with likely expertise on women's human rights (e.g., women's groups, and national officials dealing with women's affairs)? q Does the report reflect an on-site visit that included ... a) contacts knowledgeable on women's issues b) gathering gender-specific information on national law and practice c) delegation members experts on women's human rights d) visits to obtain information from women directly affected by violations? 5. Conclusions and Recommendations q Are women's human rights addressed in the conclusions and recommendations? q Do recommendations incorporate gender-specific analysis and recommendations? q Does the report provide examples of constructive approaches to women's human rights? 6. Interpretation of Mandate and Gender Integration q Has the mandate been interpreted to consider the effects of non-state actors on gender equality? q Has the mandate been interpreted so that gender inequities are a subject for on-going review or only isolated or periodic inquiry? q Has the mandate been interpreted so that women are addressed principally as a vulnerable population, especially in conflict situations or economic crises? q Has the mandate been expanded to include gender-related human rights violations not previously addressed? q Has the mandate been expanded to include religious and customary laws or practices that contribute to gender equality? 7. Individual Communications q Would such a violation affect women and men at the same level, in the same way? q Is there a violation that could only be applied to either women or men? q What is the situation of the wife/husband of the author of the communications? q Who should be monitoring the reports and documents in this regard?
III. LEGAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS 1. Is sex-specific abuse accurately characterized? q Are women characterised principally as a "vulnerable group"? q Are the gender-related factors that make women vulnerable to particular human rights violations and the nature and consequences of those violations considered? 2. Is women's participation specifically recommended? q In cases of "insecurity" or where the state has ceased to function, do recommendations identify measures to ensure equal participation of both men and women in re-building civil society, in peace-building? q Do reports and recommendations note corresponding rise in gender-related violence during states of insecurity or recommend measures to address it? 3. Is the role of non-state actors in creating gender inequities addressed? q Is the responsibility of the state for prohibiting those abuses acknowledged? 4. Is the intersection of gender with other factors examined? q race, class, age, religion, economic status. 5. Is the national law and practice affecting human rights of both women and men assessed for its compatibility with international norms? q Do women receive different treatment from men? 6. Are violations of women's human rights linked to religious or customary law? q Is the irrevocable universality of women's human rights affirmed when they conflict with national and regional culture and religious law and practice? 7. Are economic, social and cultural rights reported with a gender analysis? q Are violations of women’s economic, social and cultural rights reported? q Are recommendations made for the improvement of day-to-day life for women (especially as heads of households)? A. GENERAL QUESTIONS 1. Culture q How developed is the concept of gender equality in the region? To what extent is it realised? q What are the values, attitudes and traditions that are obstacles to achieving gender equality? q How are the Technical Cooperation Programme and Field Presences addressing these obstacles/finding solutions to this problem? q Are gender training programmes in the field adequately addressing the question? Is gender training integrated with other issues? 2. Content q How developed is legislation/policy regarding gender issues? q What are the obstacles in law/policies/institutions to promote gender equality? q How are the Technical Cooperation Programme and Field Presences addressing gender-related issues and creating awareness about them? 3. Structure q How developed are the national institutions that can ensure the promotion of gender equality? q Is there a gender expert attached to the national institution? q What are the obstacles in the capacity of these institutions to address these problems? q How can the Technical Cooperation Programme and Field Presences further promote the national capacity to advance women's human rights? B. QUESTIONS RELATED TO FACT-FINDING/NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSIONS 1. Preparations q Do terms of reference reflect priority to gender mainstreaming? q Has there been a gender analysis in the country profile? q Is sex-disaggregated information used for the mission? Are any discrepancies between men and women revealed by such information? q Have relevant individuals and women's organisations been consulted in project identification, fact-finding, and appraisal. q Does a National Plan of Action addressing women's issues exist? q What is the situation regarding implementation of treaty bodies and human rights mechanisms recommendations that address gender equality? q Will the mission programme enable the mission to assess gender concerns and meet with relevant people? q Are there gender experts included in the mission? q Are members of the mission (including interpreters) gender trained and aware of gender issues? Is there training for interpreters? 2. During Mission q Are gender concerns raised with all relevant entities and included in the list of questions systematically asked? q Do mission team members understand the local cultural context regarding gender inequalities in order to make appropriate interventions? q Does the mission meet with relevant women's groups? q Can the mission assess the potential gender bias in the information received? q How can the mission overcome potentially biased information and structural and institutional constraints that might prevent its obtaining accurate information about gender inequalities? 3. Mission Report q Is gender mainstreamed throughout the report or only in a separate "women's section"? q Does the report use sex-specific language where appropriate? q Do all aspects of the report, including case studies and documentation, have a gender perspective? 4. Project Activities q Has a gender dimension been included in analyses, objectives, and activities? q Have women been encouraged to participate, including women from vulnerable groups? q Do all activities include a gender perspective, e.g. training, fellowships, materials, and legislative assistance? 5. Evaluation of Project q Does project evaluation include reporting on how gender was addressed?
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