GENDER REFORM ACTION PLAN (GRAP)

GRAP stands for Gender Reform Action Plan. In February, 2000, the Government of Pakistan requested the Asian Development Bank for technical assistance in preparing Gender Reform Programme to improve the framework of gender policies and to develop institutional reform proposals outlining interventions at the federal, provincial and district level, for a proactive approach to include gender perspectives in public sector policies, programmes and projects.  As a consequence, Gender Reform Programme  was launched in August 2002.

 There are four major reforms proposed under Gender Reform Action Plan:-

The Project aims at achieving the following objectives:

• To seek transformation of the provincial government into an organization that actively practices and promotes gender equality
• To ensure that all public sector operations in the province promote gender equity and reduce gender inequality
• To make possible adequate representation of women as decision-makers in the provincial governments, both in the political and executive domain.
• To ensure that all provincial civil servants have an understanding of gender issues and are able to contribute positively towards the goal of gender mainstreaming

Scope of GRAP

The scope of GRAP includes essential reforms to deliver on the goal of gender equality, through the instruments of gender mainstreaming, these include:

§        Administrative / institutional reforms and departmental restructuring to pave way for gender-sensitive operations that ultimately lead to gender equality.

§         Political reforms that facilitate effective participation of women in political sphere.

§     Reforms in public sector recruitment process and working conditions to encourage women for employment in this sector.

§         Reforms of key processes of policy formulation and budget preparation.

GRAP will include the reform agenda; define the package of actions, the implementation strategies (including who will do what) and costs.

The ambit of these reforms does not cater for radical changes, revolutionary reforms, or changes in the entrenched patriarchal, feudal and tribal structures (that continue to influence Pakistan’s legal and social structures). Also GRAP will not carry out or advocate religious critiques, concepts of drastic social changes or the institution of family.

GRAP does not go into areas like land reforms, economic reforms and monetary / fiscal policies. However, GRAP will cater to some issues that may not be directly reflected in GRAP, but can be linked up with other initiatives: for example violence against women (which can be linked to the Access to Justice Programme and the Family Protection Project), and changes in discriminatory laws against women (which can be linked to the work at the Federal level).

GOALS

The goal of GRAP is to bring about such changes in the structure and process of the government that it promotes equity among men and women, and to enable it to deliver on the rights and entitlements of women. Gender mainstreaming will be the strategy to realize this goal.

            Gender mainstreaming would mean:

§        Women can participate as decision makers in the public sphere and their concerns can be addressed effectively

§         Policies are developed on the basis of gender analysis and sex disaggregated data

§        Delivery of government services are equitable

RATIONALE OF GRAP

The Gender and Governance Reform Agenda (as it is expressed in GRAP) is about creating space for women within the existing systems, while trying to change these systems for the better. The analytical studies had reflected that women in Punjab exhibit poor social status as compared to men, the departments generally lack projects or programs to bridge these gender gaps, and measures in this regard are inadequate and poorly designed. GRAP will try to bring about changes through policy, institutional and budgetary reforms in the public sector, and enhanced participation of women in the political domain, thereby contributing to the emancipation and empowerment of women.

PRINCIPLES OF GRAP

(i)                 Gender Mainstreaming is the key policy instrument to be followed 

‘Welfare’ and ‘WID’ approaches have failed to ameliorate the sufferings of Pakistani women because of their inherent weaknesses. GRAP would further gender mainstreaming as the instrument of choice as it incorporates a GAD perspective. It aims at enabling the provincial government to look more comprehensively at the relationships between men and women in their access to and control over resources, decision-making, and benefits and rewards within a particular system.

(ii)             Gender Mainstreaming is an issue of good governance

Gender Mainstreaming is not a women’s issue, it is an issue of good governance. It seeks to ensure that institutions, policies, and programs respond to the needs of men and women on the basis of equity. It aims to enhance the accountability of government to achieve results for all citizens. It is about the fact that gender-aware policies and programs would strengthen the social and economic life of the nation.

(iii)             Gender Equality has both political and institutional dimensions

Gender equality would mean changing the status quo. It would mean changing policies and institutions so that they actively promote gender equality.  Pursuit of this goal is to be led by political commitment for women empowerment, and to be supported by potent institutional arrangements that can bring about social transformation and redistribution of resources.

(iv)            Continued ownership and support 

Gender mainstreaming is a complex, multi-dimensional and long-term process. It is challenging and difficult. To be sustainable it would need continued political leadership, pressure from the civil society, and support of the top management of the province.