ECA gender policy under the spotlight this week

Abstract

ARCC, established in 1979 by the ECA Conference of Ministers, is an intergovernmental policy-making body that focuses on the advancement of women. As such, it is the political arm of the ECA's gender program, which is implemented by the African Centre for Women (ACW). ARCC meets annually to review the work of the Centre, and to provide it with orientation and guidance. The three-day consultation (24-26 April) will preside over a detailed work program, and will prepare recommendations for the 32nd session of the Commission and 23rd meeting of the ECA Conference of Ministers responsible for economic and social development and planning (5-8 May). According to Josephine Ouedraogo, the upgraded gender division's new chief, the meeting represents a watershed in the evolution of women and development programming at the ECA and in Africa. It provides a singular opportunity to review the role of ARCC in the context of growing recognition that gender issues are crosscutting and as such must be mainstreamed into all development activities for sustainable results.