Mainstreaming and the engendering of policy-making: a means to an end?

The present United Kingdom government has pledged that it will put women at the heart of government. A variety of initiatives have been taken in order to honour this pledge including the implementation of an equality strategy known as mainstreaming. Mainstreaming requires the integration of a gender perspective into policy-making. This article will examine the case for mainstreaming and what practical steps have been taken to put it into effect at Westminster and in the arrangements for devolving power to the new regional assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Particular attention will be paid to the impact that mainstreaming has had on women's representation, their ability to play a role in government and the elimination of gender inequality. This analysis will conclude with an assessment of the potential of these mainstreaming initiatives to effect substantive change to policy-making judged on the basis of criteria developed during the course of the article.