Tools make the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in the daily work routine easier. Moreover, the way of working used up to now is optimized, as the process of developing a tool makes it necessary to review existing work processes. If the tools within the framework of GM are to link in with existing work processes, this can only succeed if they have been very precisely looked at and reviewed.

Quality standards set objectives for the development of a tool and make planning and monitoring easier. So it is sensible to bear in mind certain quality standards when structuring the form and content of instruments within the framework of Gender Mainstreaming. You can find more information on this on the page Quality of tools within the framework of Gender Mainstreaming.

If you wish to develop a tool within the framework of Gender Mainstreaming, two scenarios are conceivable:

You are in a situation where

• there is a tool or where
• there is no tool at all

in the policy field in question.

Then there are two possibilities:

• optimize the tool so that it is oriented to gender equality
• develop a GM tool

a) Optimize the tool so that it is oriented to gender equality

If a general tool is optimized with reference to orientation to gender equality, the ‘mainstream’ is improved and the risk of staying suck in the ‘sidestream’ is avoided. Only in certain cases can it be advisable to decide nonetheless in favor of developing a GM tool (more on this below under b) developing a GM tool).

Process and participation
The central factor in optimization for orientation to gender equality and in the development of tools is optimal integration into normal and well-running work processes. In order to take full account of the varied nature of work processes when adapting the tool, the development process must be structured in a participative way. Various access routes to policy fields and specific routines must be incorporated into the tool so that it fits all work processes. So tools will only have sustained effectiveness if they are developed and tried out within a process in which the people applying it are themselves involved.

Application and optimization
Tools must be deployed in a consistent manner if the implementation of GM is to succeed. Tools should be aids for daily work and must be continuously adjusted to fit changing work requirements and thus optimized. Just the development of gender studies research alone makes continuous adaptation necessary.

b) Developing a GM tool

It may be practical and meaningful from two points of view to develop your own GM tool:

• if the integration of questions regarding gender aspects into the general tool encounters resistance which cannot be removed or
• if gender competence is to be generated with the aid of a GM tool where the staff lack it.

You can find comprehensive information regarding the concrete steps in the development of a GM tool in the Wissensnetz Gender Mainstreaming für die Bundesverwaltung [external link - German]. There you can find examples and tips for developing a GM tool.

Don’t start from scratch
You must not and should not start from scratch in developing a GM tool. Instead, you can use existing GM tools, such as those of the Federal Government, individual states or other institutions and adapt them to your own policy field and its particular requirements.

For the work of the Federal Government, four GM tools have been developed to date for various policy fields, which are binding under Section 2 of the Joint Rules of Procedure for the Federal Government Ministries (GGO).

1. For planned legislation the working aid “Gender Mainstreaming in the preparation of legislation” (gender impact assessment) [German] applies. It includes, in line with the GGO, test questions regarding the implementation of Gender Mainstreaming for each stage in working on the legislation.
2. For the area of awarding of research contracts, there is a working aid “Gender Mainstreaming in research projects (departmental research)” [German]. This includes memo points for planning, award and acceptance of research projects, and, in Appendix 2, notes to be handed to external parties.
3. The Gender Mainstreaming checklist for press and public relations [German] provides support from the first preliminary ideas right through to the practical design of the product.
4. The Gender Mainstreaming aid for reporting [German] helps in the compiling of reports in a way that is differentiated in terms of gender and oriented to gender equality.

Process and participation
The central factor in the development of GM tools is optimal integration into normal and well-running work processes. Since the development of an additional tool is involved, the individual stages of development should be oriented to the existing tool. Firstly, this enhances the likelihood of acceptance and application of the GM tool and, secondly, it makes the subsequent integration of the GM tool into the general tool easier.

In order to take full account of the varied nature of work processes when adapting the tool, the development process must be structured in a participative way. Various access routes to policy fields and specific routines must be incorporated into the tool so that it fits all work processes. So tools will only have sustained effectiveness if they are developed and tried out within a process in which the people applying it are themselves involved.

Application and optimization
Tools must be deployed in a consistent manner if the implementation of GM is to succeed. Tools should be aids for daily work and must be continuously adjusted to fit changing work requirements and thus optimized. Just the development of gender studies research alone makes continuous adaptation necessary.

Then two possibilities are conceivable:

• develop a tool
• develop a GM tool

a)    Developing a tool

The development of a new general tool in a way that is oriented to gender equality realizes the aim of integrating gender equality into all existing work processes and should therefore be favored.

You can find tips on the points process and application and application and optimization above.

b)    Developing a GM tool

It may be practical and meaningful to develop your own GM tool for the following reasons:

• if the development of a general tool is not envisaged or
• if gender competence is to be generated with the aid of a GM tool where the staff lack it.

You can find comprehensive information regarding the concrete steps in the development of a GM tool in the Wissensnetz Gender Mainstreaming für die Bundesverwaltung [German].

You can find the sections Don’t start from scratch and Application and optimization above.

Process and participation
The central factor in developing GM tools is optimal integration into normal and well-running work processes. In order to take full account of the varied nature of work processes when adapting the tool, the development process must be structured in a participative way. Various access routes to policy fields and specific routines must be incorporated into the tool so that it fits all work processes. So tools will only have sustained effectiveness if they are developed and tried out within a process in which the actors are themselves involved.