Gender and HIV/AIDS Issues Directorate Organized a Workshop
Ethiopian Civil Service University Gender and HIV/AIDS Issues Directorate organized one day workshop on mainstreaming cross cutting issues in BSC plan for middle level managers of the University. In the workshop the concept and essence of mainstreaming and affirmative action, policy and legal frameworks in mainstreaming and applying affirmative action were discussed. The aggregated data of staff of the university and students presented to the participants to show gender gap in both the academic and administrative higher positions.
Wo/r Abay Akemachew, Director of Gender and HIV/AIDS Issues Directorate in the workshop explained that mainstreaming cross cutting issues means integrating issues in all stages of design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs and projects. According to Abay, mainstreaming implies that HIV/AIDS and disability are not a separate issues rather it is an element of all issues at all levels. Mainstreaming doesn`t mean balancing the statistics or blaming anybody for inequalities or the existing problems or making a certain group of people beneficiary, it was stated.
However affirmative action is described as an action which involves the use of special measures to assist members of disadvantaged groups in overcoming the obstacles and discrimination they face.
Based on the data presented in the workshop, participants are grouped in to five and discussed on the gaps in enhancing the participation of women and person with disability and problems in mainstreaming cross cutting issues in one`s work plan.
In the workshop middle level managers of the University participated. The workshop is believed to enhance the participants awareness on cross cutting issues and incorporate the issues in their plan.