Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

vented from pursuing what is fair, good andnecessary to live a full and satisfying life, Threeimmediate goals have been prioritized, namely:(i) to attain the 13 gender-specific benchmarksof the Afghanistan Compact/I-ANDS, includingthe five-year priorities of NAPWA; (ii) torealize the gender commitments that are mainstreamedin each of the ANDS sectors; and (iii)to develop basic institutional capacities of ministriesand government agencies on gendermainstreaming. 57This strategy targets three main outcomes:• a significant number of government entitiesembracing and implementing genderequity efforts, as indicated by gender sensitivepolicies, strategies, budgets and programs;increased expenditures on genderequity; increasing number of ministrieswith functional gender equity-promotingmechanisms and technically capable professionals;and indicators that will beagreed upon for Gender Equity in theANDS;• measurable improvements in women’sstatus as evidenced by reduced illiteracy;higher net enrollment ratio; control overincome; equal wages for equal work; lowermaternal mortality; increasing leadershipand participation in all spheres of life;greater economic opportunities and accessto and control over productive assets andincome; adequate access to justice systemsthat are gender sensitive; and reduced vulnerabilityto violence in public and domesticspheres; and• greater social acceptance of gender equalityas manifested in support for women’s participationin public affairs, increased appreciationof the value of women and girls’education, increasing number of influentialmen and institutions promoting genderequity; and participation of women in policydiscussions.Implementation frameworkThe implementation of strategy for gender equityis a shared responsibility among govern-57 Constraints and challenges have been addressed in detail insector strategy paper as well as the NAPWA.ment entities at the national and sub-nationallevels. MoWA’s status as lead ministry forwomen’s advancement will be maintained andstrengthened. All government entities will:(i) foster a work environment that supportsegalitarian relationships between women andmen; (ii) establish internal enabling mechanismsfor gender equity; and (iii) supportwomen’s shuras. ANDS consultative andworking groups will be provided with capacityto pursue gender mainstreaming. Gender capacitiesof sector professionals will be strengthenedand Gender Studies Institutes will be establishedin selected universities beginningwith Kabul University. The informal networkof gender advisers will be tapped for a ‘gendermentoring program’ that will transfer genderexpertise to nationals. A technical supportprogram for women managers in the civil servicewill also be created. Local chief executivesare mandated to ensure that gender equitytheme is incorporated into the local developmentplan and into the overall work of the localgovernment. Pilot provinces on gender mainstreamingwill be developed. DOWAs willbuild a network of gender advocates and theircapacity to oversee sub-national gender mainstreamingwill be strengthened.International organizations are encouraged toadopt gender equity in their development cooperationand technical assistance and directlysupport ministries in implementing genderequity strategy. The NGO Coordination Councilwill be strengthened as a major link of governmentto the NGO community in promotinggender equity. NGOs will be encouraged totarget women as project participants and beneficiariesand to increase the participation ofwomen in the management of their organizations.An advocacy and public communicationstrategy that will transform negative perceptionsand attitudes toward women will be implementednationwide, with particular attentionto women, men, media, religious leaders,and institutions and influential decision makersin society. Non-traditional, culturally-sensitiveforms of mass communication will be exploredfor remote and tribal communities to addresscultural obstacles to women’s education, leadershipand participation in public life, reproductiverights, property ownership and inheritance.The Government will establish mechanisms toeffectively facilitate, monitor, and coordinateCross-Cutting Issues 149