Gender mainstreaming in Canada and Australia: A comparative analysis

Although gender mainstreaming (GM) has been endorsed officially at the international level since 1995, the efficacy of this strategy is being increasingly questioned. More research is focusing on understanding the progress and impact of various mainstreaming strategies across jurisdictions and in a comparative context. This article contributes to the literature in the GM field by examining the role and experiences of three key sectors in GM advancement and implementation in Canada and Australia: institutional machineries, women's movements and feminist and gender research within academe. Drawing on policy documents, textual materials and interviews with 30 key stakeholders in each country, the investigation illuminates the historic development and current situation of GM. Significantly, the research highlights common challenges and shortcomings of GM in Canada and Australia and in the final analysis, provides suggestions for future mainstreaming strategies.