This report is based on the discussions and findings of the Taskforce on Gender mainstreaming organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The views expressed in the report are those of the members of the Taskforce and do not necessarily reflect those of JICA. No part of this report may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of JICA. Published 2005 in JAPAN by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Planning and Coordination Shinjuku Maynds Tower Bldg. 10F, 2-1-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, TOKYO 151-8558 Tel: 03-5352-5506 Fax: 03-5352-5490 E-mail:
[email protected] Preamble JICA prepared a guideline for “Gender Mainstreaming/WID” in 2002 in which JICA’s basic policy for gender mainstreaming was fixed. Based on the policy, JICA has been fostering various activities related to gender equality. There are more than 150 countries where JICA’s projects are implemented, out of which, one third belongs to Islamic culture. While JICA’s efforts for gender mainstreaming proceed, we receive enquiries on how to approach gender equality in Islamic countries. In addition, it has been pointed out by gender experts that, as the situation in a country is not always identical, the socio-cultural conditions in the target areas should be well analyzed and that such analysis should not be based only on the national statistics. Based on the above grounds, JICA has decided to conduct a research on gender mainstreaming approaches which can be employed in the diverse socio-cultural context such as ethnic group and religion.