Institutionality of Gender in the State

Book excerpt: This paper examines the emergence of a new social subject, women, at the national and regional levels. That process brings into question current conceptions of gender, introduces new issues to the public debate, and places gender inequality-related matters on public and institutional agendas. The paper also specifically focuses on the processes whereby the institutionality of gender came to form part of the agendas of the United Nations and the governments of the ECLAC region. It considers the current debates on the role of the State and clarified the factors that facilitate or hamper the inclusion and institutionalization of gender in public policies. Finally it it puts forward some considerations to be taken into account in drawing up agendas and strategies for action