Research Department
Departmental Functions
The Policy and Research Department is headed by a Head of Department (HOD) and supported by a Deputy Director. The department consists of a centralized team of researchers based at the Head Office. Its primary responsibility is to carry out the functions of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in accordance with the Commission for Gender Equality Act No. 39 of 1996:
- 11. (1) In order to achieve its object referred to in section 119(3) of the Constitution, the Commission- (a) shall monitor and evaluate policies and practices of- (i) organs of state at any level; (ii) statutory bodies or functionaries; (iii) public bodies and authorities; and (iv) private businesses, enterprises and institutions, in order to promote gender equality and may make any recommendations that the Commission deems necessary;
- h) Shall monitor the compliance with international conventions, international covenants and international charters, acceded to or ratified by the Republic, relating to the object of the Commission. (i) Shall prepare and submit reports to Parliament pertaining to any such convention, covenant or charter relating to the object of the Commission.
- (j) May conduct research or cause research to be conducted to further the objectives of the Commission.
- Liaising with various role players, and supplying input to / and updating CGE with current developments in Gender Equality locally and internationally.
Services, Tasks, and Responsibilities
- Provide information and knowledge support to internal stakeholders.
- Formulate researchable proposals.
- Conduct empirical research, compile research reports & disseminate findings & recommendations.
Focus Areas over the years
- In the past 29 years, the Commission, through the Policy and Research Department, has conducted numerous research projects to generate knowledge and monitor the implementation of different legislative frameworks, policies, and programmes to promote gender transformation in the country.
- Different issues such as gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, harmful traditional practices, women’s participation and representation in leadership positions, sexual and reproductive health rights, LGBTQIA+ issues, land rights, widowhood, education, sports, parental alienation, illegal circumcision schools, and others have been covered.
- The Commission also introduced a standard Gender Barometer Web-based monitoring tool to monitor the compliance of different government departments and municipalities with gender-related regulatory frameworks.
- The Department also monitors the country's compliance with international instruments, such as CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, the Beijing Platform for Action, the African Gender Development Index, and others.