Gender Mainstreaming in Legal and Constitutional Affairs

A rights-based approach to development that puts women and men at the center of sustainable development requires good governance and the rule of law. Laws that prohibit sex-based discrimination, that seek to establish true equality of opportunity between women and men and promote equality of access to societal resources. Constitutional guarantees and legislative reform are insufficient without political will and the commitment of resources, concrete and realistic targets, and programs grounded at the national level based upon local contexts. Analyzes the key gender issues in the legal and constitutional sector, reviews the key international instruments, examines issues of monitoring and enforcement, and offers recommendations at the national and international levels. Adapts the GMS as a multi-sectoral/ integrated approach to addressing violence against women.