Executive summary.

• Position: Gender Dimensions of PRSP Processes and the Relationship to the National Budgets: The Experiences of Egypt, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia - Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers

Country evidence shows that the nature, causes and impacts of poverty are different for men and for women. Therefore, understanding the nature of gender disparities and taking the necessary actions to redress them will not only promote higher growth rates but will also make a substantial contribution to the reduction of poverty. The major concern of Governments in Egypt, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia today is the issue of poverty reduction among their citizenry.

This report compiles the country experiences in analyzing gender in the PRSP sectors, as well as the macroeconomic frameworks. In addition an assessment is made of the efforts to mainstream gender into PRSPs, lessons are drawn and recommendations made.

Key Findings

Countries had varying experiences and levels of success in mainstreaming gender into their PRSPs. However, there were some crosscutting lessons drawn. It was clear that macro economic management is noble but may not necessarily benefit men and women equally. For example, a competitive exchange rate is good as long as the products that are marketed internationally include outputs of both men and women. In the same breath, competitive interest rates in the formal banking institutions would be welcome if both men and women had access to these services.

However, a gender analysis of the macroeconomic framework requires gender disaggregated data although inferences can be made even in the absence of GDD. Countries should generate the relevant data as well develop the technical expertise for gender analysis of the PRSP sectors in general and the macro-economic frameworks in particular.

A sectoral analysis of the PRSP sectors reveals the inequalities and informs the choice of strategies for poverty reduction among men and women; as well as the national budgeting process. Gender mainstreaming is a lengthy process that calls for commitment and well-targeted focus. The process must be coordinated from the top, and well resourced with technical expertise, GDD, and country specific gender studies. The exercise of gender mainstreaming must go...