Gender Focal Points
To complement the gender mainstreaming initiatives within the Government, the Women's Commission has also assisted the Government in establishing a network of Gender Focal Points, in most instances a directorate officer from each bureau and department, who serves as the contact / resource person to assist in raising awareness and understanding of gender related issues and promote gender mainstreaming initiatives in their respective areas.
To maximise its benefits, the Commission has been introducing gender mainstreaming to the community in a progressive manner. In recent years, the Commission has established a Gender Focal Point network in the District Councils to promote gender mainstreaming at the district level, and to promote collaboration and communication between the Commission and District Councils.
To promote gender mainstreaming in the non-governmental organisations in the social welfare sector, the Commission assisted the Government in setting up a Gender Focal Point Network in the social welfare sector. It suggests each non-governmental organisation in the social welfare sector appointing a managerial staff as the Gender Focal Point. The Gender Focal Point is responsible for promoting the Gender Mainstreaming Checklist and the gender mainstreaming concept, and serves as the contact point between the organisation and Government on gender-related issues.
To further raise the awareness of gender mainstreaming in the community, the Government and the Commission have launched another Gender Focal Point network among listed companies. Listed companies are encouraged to join the network by nominating a representative (at director level or equivalent) to be the Gender Focal Point for the company. The Gender Focal Points would help raise awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, and promote gender sensitivity in the daily work of their staff. They will also serve as the contact and resource person for communication and collaboration on gender-related matters between the company and the Government / Commission.
