Gender mainstreaming is the current international approach to promoting equality between women and men.

It is based on the recognition that gender inequality operates at all levels and in all sectors of society, and thus needs to be addressed in the mainstream. It aims to ensure that women and men benefit equitably from all that society has to offer, and are equally empowered to affect its governance and decisions.

The Gender Management System (GMS) is a holistic and system-wide approach to gender mainstreaming developed by the Commonwealth, for the use of governments in partnership with other stakeholders including civil society and the private sector. The GMS is a comprehensive network of structures, mechanisms and processes to enable governments and other organisations to contribute to gender equality through all policy-making, planning and activities.

This reference manual has been produced to assist governments and other stakeholders in mainstreaming gender in the finance sector.

Other topics covered by publications in the Gender Management System Series include:
• Concept and methodology of the GMS
• Using gender-sensitive indicators
• Development planning
• The public service
• Education
• Trade and industry
• Agriculture and rural development
• Information and communications
• Equal employment opportunities policy