Gender impact assesment as a policy tool for equal oppurtunities policies

The underlying question is how Flemish policy makers can better adapt their policies to the broader aim of the Flemish government to encourage equal oppurtunities. The aim of this project consists in the development of a working tool to measure the potential differential impact of policy intentions on women and men, in order to improve policy in terms of gendr during the policy making process itself. The project consists of three phases. In the first phase the goal, contents and procedure of the various existing tools are analysed. This is realized through a study of the existing literature and through interviews. It will lead to the defenition of the central characteristicsof the future Flemish gender impact assesment. IN the second phase the gender impact assesment in itself will be developed. Several scenario's will be set up, in which differing types of gender impact assesment are utilized, ranging from an all-encompassing aproach to a single moment execise. The scenario's will be discussed in interviews with key persons, e.g. equal opportunities' policy makers, scientific and other policy experts. In the final phase of the research a handbook will be developed.