UNDP gender equality seal is a process of corporate certification that recognizes the good performance of the country offices of UNDP, regional service centres and headquarters in the delivery of results for gender equality. The process provides a framework clear to guide managers in the linkage of gender equality at work to development results. UNDP has adapted this concept of equality in Latin America certification programs, supported by the UNDP Regional Service Centre in Panama. Now we go to know a little more about Jamaica’s process.
UNDP gender equality seal is a process of corporate certification that recognizes the good performance of the country offices of UNDP, regional service centres and headquarters in the delivery of results for gender equality. The process provides a framework clear to guide managers in the linkage of gender equality at work to development results. UNDP has adapted this concept of equality in Latin America certification programs, supported by the UNDP Regional Service Centre in Panama. Now we go to know a little more about Jamaica’s process.
The hallmark of the UNDP gender is part of the strategy of the entire organization for the advancement of the gender equality and empowerment of women in all areas of its work. Gender equality seal establishes minimum standards and has 44 points of reference in seven key areas: (i) management systems; (ii) capacity; (iii) environment; (iv) knowledge management; (v) programmes and projects; (vi) companies; and (vii) results/impacts. Based on the percentage of satisfactory indicators, UNDP offices are awarded bronze, silver or gold medals. In 2012, UNDP began piloting the certification initiative with offices in three countries: Argentina, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan – and is now the hallmark of gender 31 offices of country, the UNDP Pacific Regional Centre and the offices of the UNDP Asia and the Pacific.
In 2012, UNDP began piloting the certification initiative with offices in three countries: Argentina, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan – and is now the hallmark of gender 31 offices of country, the UNDP Pacific Regional Centre and the offices of the UNDP Asia and the Pacific. In the process of the seal 2013-2014 were 25 winners, including in the Region of Latin America and the Caribbean: Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Jamaica. The process in Jamaica was very interesting let us show you a little more:
How was the process for you:
The Gender Seal Process was a very insightful learning experience for the UNDP Jamaica Country Office. It provided us with an opportunity to really reflect on how we can mainstream gender and encourage gender equality in our various activities and business processes under Programmes and Operations. It was also very challenging, as neither the Gender Focal Point or any members of the Gender Focal Team had significant experience with mainstreaming gender and so it was largely a process of learning by doing.
Which have been the main achievements for gender equality, what do you feel proud of.
As a CO we feel most proud of the fact that we made small strides with the Seal, without the presence of a member of staff dedicated to Gender. In addition, we know more today than we did one year ago, about mainstreaming gender in our Programmes and Operations and we can only improve from this point forward.
The main challenges and pending issues
The main challenge for the CO was not having a dedicated gender specialist in the CO to assist with the process. However, we were able to obtain some support from our UNWOMEN colleague near the end of the process. In addition, it would have been useful to have detailed guidelines on how the benchmarks would be scored prior to implementation of the Gender Seal Action Plan. This would have helped the CO to better determine if the documents we had prepared or actions we had taken would be suitable or accepted. (See attached an example of the Note to Interview Panel on Gender Sensitive Guidelines that was prepared for Benchmark 3.5)
Where you will focus on for the following months? What you want to achieve the next year in the new phase?
In the following months, we would like to prepare the Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan for the CO, do more with ensuring gender is mainstreamed in our programming/project design, in particular by conducting gender analysis of the key sectors in which we work to better inform our programme and project documents and continue training with our Programme Staff on gender mainstreaming.
In the next round, we are going for Gold!
Some documents from the process:
-Gender Learning Session Power Point (conducted with Staff): SEE
-Fact Sheet-UNDP Commitment to Gender Equality Work Life Balance: SEE
– UNDP Jamaica CO Harassment and Abuse of Authority Prevention Plan: SEE
– Note to Interview Panel Gender Sensitive: SEE
