BREAKTHROUGHS AND CHALLENGES OF MAKING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT WORKFOR GENDER EQUALITY

This is an 'insider' account of the history of institutionalizing a sp ecial bureaucratic instrument for the promotion of women's interests i n development planning - the National Commission on the Pole of Filipi no Women - in the Philippines. The author, Chief Planning Officer of t his Commission, details the origins of this unit within the state, and outlines early obstacles to effective representation of women - such as the association of the NCRFW with the First Lady, and problems of e litism. She traces changes which came with a groundswell of democratic energy associated with 'second-wave' feminism in the Philippines, as well as the ousting of the Marcoses. A variety of strategies for ensur ing women's interests across government development planning and polic y implementation (mainstreaming) are detailed, including the formulati on of a development plan for women, establishing gender 'focal points' in government agencies, changing the culture of the bureaucracy, seek ing top-level sponsors, and gender sensitivity training.