Gender-sensitive law-making: concept and process

ABSTRACT Laws intervene in the life of all citizens but do not impact everyone in the same way. Different population groups are affected differentially on the grounds of their gender, race, age, disability etc, because of their different needs and situations and because of existing structural inequalities in society. This article examines gender as a determinant in law-making that extends throughout the life cycle of legislation. It argues that legislative decision making that takes into account gender concerns is the only way to produce gender-sensitive legislation that positively promotes gender equality and can achieve its aims (be effective). Gender sensitive Parliaments have a key role to play by scrutinising legislation from a gender perspective when laws are designed, implemented or evaluated ex post.