The Directorate is charged with Gender Policy, research and knowledge management with the goal of enhancing evidence-based decision making on gender issues. Specifically, the Directorate provides technical support in the review, development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of gender related policies, programmes and plans. The Directorate also ensures compliance with international, regional and national gender instruments and submission of the relevant reports to the monitoring bodies. These include CSW, CEDAW, AU, COMESA, EAC and IGAD. Further, the Directorate coordinates research on gender issues to inform policy decisions and programmes.
Verity Mghanga
Director Policy Research and Documentation
Functions
The functions of the Directorate are as follows:
- Develop, formulate, review, interpret, implement and monitor gender related policies, programmes and plans;
- Support drafting of gender related policies and legislation in MDCAs;
- Develops and maintain gender disaggregated data and management information systems;
- Undertake research including baseline surveys on gender and other emerging issues;
- Coordinate policy and programme analysis on gender parameters, make recommendations for review or termination and report appropriately; and
- Conduct appraisal on policies, programmes and practices across sectors to establish the level of gender responsiveness.
- Initiate and implement bilateral agreements
- Develop reports on international and regional commitments, conventions and treaties
Activities/Programme
- Complying with international and regional gender treaties/ conventions and obligations
- Preparation for Kenya’s Participation in the Sixty-Ninth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
- Prepare Kenya’s periodic report on the implementation of the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
- Engage different media house representatives to promote awareness of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and its 12 critical areas of concern.
- Develop Affirmative Action policy
- Develop bilateral agreements on gender between Kenya and other countries.
- Develop gender bill.
Achievements
- Engaged different media house representatives to promote awareness of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and its 12 critical areas of concern.
- Draft Affirmative Action policy
- Conducted knowledge-sharing sessions on GBV prevention, legislation, and survivor support systems in Kenya through the Kenya-Columbia Exchange Program.
- A draft of gender bill developed.
Strategies
It will achieve this through the following strategies:
Strengthen the policy and legal environment on gender and development
Strengthen gender responsive research and documentation
Strengthen capacity for production, availability and use of gender statistics
Enhance compliance to international and regional treaties and conventions