Governance processes - with their emphasis on principles of accountability, transparency, responsiveness and inclusiveness - should be a means to social transformation. But despite this potential, they are failing to deliver on gender equality. Women are having to struggle to get their voices heard and their needs met; women's organisations are having to push for recognition of women's rights and for adequate accountability mechanisms. Why is this, and what actions would enable them to fulfil their potential to empower women and bring about social justice? This In Brief maps out persistent obstacles to gender equality in governance, such as the gender imbalance in positions of authority. It also offers possible ways forward - including making rights central to governance, and building political will for change. Case studies from the Philippines and Egypt show how the combined efforts of governance bodies and civil society can play a key role in ensuring that gender-transformative legislation is initiated and implemented. It forms part of the BRIDGE Cutting Edge Pack on Gender and Governance.

Governance processes - with their emphasis on principles of accountability, transparency, responsiveness and inclusiveness - should be a means to social transformation. But despite this potential, they are failing to deliver on gender equality. Women are having to struggle to get their voices heard and their needs met; women's organisations are having to push for recognition of women's rights and for adequate accountability mechanisms. Why is this, and what actions would enable them to fulfil their potential to empower women and bring about social justice? This In Brief maps out persistent obstacles to gender equality in governance, such as the gender imbalance in positions of authority. It also offers possible ways forward - including making rights central to governance, and building political will for change. Case studies from the Philippines and Egypt show how the combined efforts of governance bodies and civil society can play a key role in ensuring that gender-transformative legislation is initiated and implemented. It forms part of the BRIDGE Cutting Edge Pack on Gender and Governance.

Los procesos de gobernanza—con su énfasis en los principios de rendición de cuentas, transparencia, sensibilidad e inclusión—deberían ser un medio hacia la transformación social. Sin embargo, a pesar de este potencial, no están propiciando la igualdad de género. Las mujeres aún tienen que luchar para que sus voces sean escuchadas y se atiendan sus necesidades; las organizaciones de mujeres están teniendo que pugnar por el reconocimiento de los derechos de las mujeres y por mecanismos adecuados para exigir rendición de cuentas. ¿Por qué ocurre esto y cuáles acciones les harían posible realizar su potencial a fin de empoderar a las mujeres y hacer realidad la justicia social? Esta edición del boletín En breve identifica obstáculos persistentes a la igualdad de los sexos en la gobernanza, tales como el desequilibrio de género en las posiciones de autoridad. También ofrece formas posibles de avanzar, que incluyen hacer que los derechos sean centrales en la gobernanza y generar voluntad política para el cambio. Estudios de casos provenientes de Filipinas y Egipto muestran cómo los esfuerzos combinados de los órganos de gobernanza y la sociedad civil pueden jugar un papel clave para asegurar la formulación e implementación de leyes que transformen las relaciones y dinámicas de género. El boletín forma parte de la Canasta básica sobre género y gobernanza de BRIDGE .