This article is written by Kimberley Hutchinson, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Women and Gender Equality Canada

What does it mean for government to be inclusive?

Although government policies may seem to apply to everyone equally, they almost always affect different people in different ways. Governments are becoming increasingly aware of these discrepancies in outcomes. Although Covid-19 physical distancing measures apply to everyone, regardless of gender, the impacts of these policies play out differently amongst different individuals and groups. For example, the lockdown:

  • Resulted in the closure of schools, daycares, and early learning childcare programs which could have lasting impacts on children. About 1 in 2 (53%) Canadian children aged five and younger regularly attend an early childhood education program. Research has highlighted the benefits of early education including lessening grade repetition by 8.3 per cent, and increasing high school graduation rate by 11.4 per cent
  • Has led to a steep decline in hours worked. Approximately 40% of Canadians are in jobs that can be done from home and the likelihood of holding such a job is not the same for all Canadians. For example, fewer workers in goods-producing sectors can work from home than those in service industries. These differences are important because holding jobs that can be done from home reduces the likelihood of work interruptions and, thus, reduces income uncertainty

Gender analysis, an indispensable tool for promoting gender equality, addresses the fact that no policy can be truly gender-neutral, and has taught public servants that we all have unconscious biases that often shape policy. We need to take steps to safeguard against our biases and assumptions.

This being said, gender analysis has its limits. We can experience exclusion for reasons other than our gender — for example, race, class, or ability — all of which are influenced by, and entrenched in, social systems of power.

As public servants, we are entrusted to be inclusive and to serve people of all genders, identities, faiths, languages, abilities, races and ethnicities

The reality is that we are richly diverse in our humanity. No group of people is homogenous. Our lived experiences are influenced by how intersecting identity factors interact with our specific sociocultural, political, and economic contexts. As public servants, we are entrusted to be inclusive and to serve people of all genders, identities, faiths, languages, abilities, races and ethnicities.

The process of becoming inclusive requires us to identify and remove systemic barriers, such as policies and practices that reinforce unconscious bias, stereotyping and other behaviours.

This begins by reflecting on the complexity of our own experiences and by challenging our assumptions and questioning our biases. Only then can we fully embrace our unique lived experiences and develop inclusive government initiatives.

The Government of Canada uses Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) as an analytical process to assess how diverse groups of people may experience certain issues differently, as well as the policies, programs and initiatives meant to address these issues. Based on intersectional principles, GBA+ recognizes that groups of people may experience the same situation — including a global pandemic — differently depending on their experience of the world. It helps us pose questions, challenge assumptions and identify potential impacts of our initiatives.

If government responses to the current health and economic crises are to be effective, they must understand and address its differential impacts

The application of GBA+ (and other similar approaches) ensures that all aspects of diversity are considered when an initiative is designed, implemented and evaluated to deliver on our shared commitment to inclusivity and to service to the public. It moves beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences and considers the influence of multiple identity factors and their intersections, including age, sex, sexuality, race, ability, Indigeneity, geographical location, income, among others.

This is especially important during the COVID-19 global pandemic. If government responses to the current health and economic crises are to be effective, they must be grounded in an understanding of and address its differential impacts. Applying a rigorous gender and intersectional lens through GBA+:

  • Replaces our assumptions with facts;
  • Helps us find innovative ways to design and deliver inclusive and accessible initiatives rapidly; and
  • Increases responsiveness and effectiveness of our emergency policies.

Say you are designing a policy for physical distancing measures. If you were a traditional policymaker, you might assume that your policy is “gender-neutral”, as the policy applies to all citizens, regardless of gender or other identity factors. However, if you apply GBA+, you would recognize that home is not a safe place for everyone and women and children may be isolated with their abusers, restricting opportunities to leave and seek help, exacerbating the patterns, frequency, and degree of violence. You might recommend emergency funding for GBV shelters and sexual assault centres to address increased demand.

Approaching policy design and implementation using GBA+ contributes to effective, evidence-based policy-making that is truly human-centred. In addition to contributing to transformative cultural change, it leads to better decision-making and greater equality of outcomes, especially important during a global crisis. — Kimberley Hutchinson

(Picture credit: Unsplash)