Gender Inclusiveness Policy

Gender Inclusiveness Policy promotes gender-balanced management and takes gender perspectives into consideration in every decision-making, planning, and administration process at every level of the state government. It also paved the way for institutionalizing Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB).

The concept of gender inclusiveness is inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

The policy was officially adopted in March 2019.

Gender Inclusiveness Policy

The Six Implementation Strategies

1. Capacity Building

Training modules developed for state departments, agencies, and local governments to equip all staff with knowledge and skills relates to Gender Inclusiveness.

2. Data collection: Sex Disaggregated Data (SDD)

Sex Disaggregated Data (SDD) are systematically collected and the impact of existing policies are analyzed to identify the gender gap.

3. Gender Balanced Management

Ensure equal opportunities are given to both men and women in the decision-making and implementation level of every project and programme.

4. Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB)

Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) is institutionalized under the Gender Inclusiveness Policy.

5. Consultation and Strategic Partnerships

Systematic and comprehensive cooperation with state government agencies and departments, communities, private sector, Non- Government Organisations (NGOs), and Institutions of Higher Learning.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Determine the impact of actions taken and take as input for future policy formulation.

Activities

Bengkel Pelaksanaan GRPB: 18 and 19 June 2019

The workshop is conducted with the objective in upholding the Gender Inclusiveness Policy fourth strategy in fully implementing GRPB at all level ( department and agencies) of Penang State Government.

Bengkel Penentuan Hala Tuju dan Pelan Tindakan Selaras dengan Dasar Keterangkuman Gender Negeri Pulau Pinang (Kumpulan 1: 13 and 14 June 2019, Kumpulan 2: 16 dan 17 June 2019)

In line with the implementation of the Gender Inclusiveness Policy on 7 March 2019, PWDC conducted a two days training to 36 Penang State Government department and agencies to assist with the action plan for the implementation of the policy.

GI Brainstorming 14 February 2019

The objective of the Gender Inclusive Brainstorming session, was to identify the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholder in implementing the Gender Inclusiveness Policy.

FAQ

What is gender?

Gender refers to the social roles of men and women, and boys and girls, as well as the relationships between and among them, in a given society at a specific time and place. Gender determines what is expected, allowed, and valued in a woman or a man in a given context.

It also refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female in the relationships between women and men and girls and boys. These attributes, opportunities, and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes. They are contexed, time-specific and changeable.

Adopted from UNICEF

What is inclusiveness?

The term ‘inclusiveness’ indicates the acceptance and respect of diversity while understanding the difference of individual needs in order to ensure the rights of every community member in a balanced and fair manner.

Adopted from GI policy, Preamble, pg. 1

What is gender inclusiveness?

As inclusiveness involves every sphere of the society such as politics and economy, Gender Inclusiveness (GI) focuses on mainstreaming gender and reducing inequality.

Adopted from GI policy, Principle, pg 5, b) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Does this policy focus on women only?

The policy looks into the volume of women in the workforce especially on the decision-making level to achieve a ratio of 40% women, 40% men, and 20% of man and women.

Adopted from policy rationale B)

Why is the ratio of ``40% women, 40% men, and 20% of man and women`` important?

The ratio is a guideline and benchmark to achieve gender equality in terms of the management and decision-making sphere. Researches from UK and Asia countries including Japan and Singapore had shown that a balanced workforce and leadership create an environment supportive of career growth for women and men.

What is gender balance management?

Ensure equal opportunities are given to both men and women in the decision-making and implementation level of every project and programme.

Adopted from United Nations Statistics Division – UNSD. Global Gender Statistics Programme.

Where have diversity contributed to a better solution?

Diversity promotes the individuality within an organisation, acknowledging that every person can contribute with different, creative and new ideas and solutions. Employees with different backgrounds and experiences can bring together a variety of perspectives on matters and thus increase the productivity and deliver better results.

Workplace diversity increases creativity and problem solving. Having a variety of different people from various backgrounds together is essential for finding and implementing creative solutions to business problems. With diverse mindset coming together many more solutions will arise as every individual brings in their way of thinking, operating and solving problems and decision making.

What is the difference between GI policy and GRPB?

The Gender Inclusiveness policy looks at the implementation and institutionalisation of the policy and it is an environment/ecosystem that the Penang State government wants to achieve, while GRPB is a tool or a mechanism in order to achieve an inclusive society.

At what level in the state government you are implementing the policy, only at the decision-making? Who is going to implement it? How to implement it?

One of the main purposes of the policy is to institutionalise GRPB, which is going to be implemented beyond the decision makers. All state departments and agencies are expected to support and implement the policy in line with Penang2030 which advocate for inclusive and a people-centric society; and the United Nations 17 SDGs in order to achieve gender equality and reduce inequalities.

Adopted from Principles of GI, pg. 5 & 6

Who is developing the gender checklist? By the departments themselves or PWDC will help to do it? When do we use the checklist?

PWDC will help to develop an example of gender checklist and each department can modify and improvise the checklist based on the nature of their work and task respectively. The checklist could be used during the planning, implementing, budgeting and monitoring phase of programmes, projects and schemes (PPS).

Who is going develop the SOP and KPI for the implementation of GI policy? Who is monitoring it?

Due to the different work nature of each departments and agencies, we understand the challenges the stakeholders are facing. The PWDC will help to build capacity to incorporate GI into the SOPs and KPIs. A Gender focal point will be appointed to monitor the process with the help of PWDC.

Gender Inclusiveness Policy