and men, such as psychological characteristics, activities, social roles and status. The study of gender issues examines the social relation dynamics between men and women that result from these representations.

Gender mainstreaming surveys would provide best insights that promotes a new conception of equality policies between men and women, in which gender issues are not treated apart from other areas of decision, but in which they are permanently integrated in the decision-taking process, in all fields, at all levels and at all stages, by the actors normally involved in policymaking. In this perspective, economic policy, negotiations and action should not be separated from occupational equality issues; action on equality issues should not be conceived of independently or in an effort to repair the inequities already put in place by earlier policy.

Accordingly, gender mainstreaming would mean that gender equality becomes a full part of common policies. It implies a broader and more comprehensive definition of gender equality, giving value to differences and diversity. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to (re)organize, improve, develop and evaluate policy processes.

Gender mainstreaming takes starting point policies that already exist or are being developed and then looks at how gender equality perspective can be incorporated in the policy process, so that the specificity, interest and values of both sexes are taken into account.

Gender mainstreaming and specific equality policy are dual and complementary strategies with the same goal: gender equality. Mainstreaming a gender perspective as a process will assess the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. It is a strategy for making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality.