MECHANISMS FOR EVALUATING GENDER BALANCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Keywords:
Gender balance, public administration, evaluation mechanisms, gender mainstreaming, performance audit, international experience, women's leadership, gender equality index.Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of international mechanisms designed to evaluate gender balance within public administration. As governments worldwide commit to sustainable development goals and inclusive governance, the need for robust, evidence-based tools to measure gender equality has become paramount. The study examines a diverse array of approaches, from Vietnam’s newly developed Public Sector Gender Equality Index and Ethiopia’s pioneering Gender Audit Manual to Taiwan’s performance management systems and the European Union’s sophisticated audit frameworks. By synthesizing these international experiences, the article identifies common indicators, methodological innovations, and persistent challenges such as the "performance paradox" and the difficulty of capturing intersectional discrimination. The findings reveal a global trend towards mixed-methods evaluations that combine quantitative sex-disaggregated data with qualitative insights into workplace culture and agency. The article concludes that while no single model is universally applicable, the convergence on core principles—including participatory audits, institutional accountability mechanisms, and the measurement of both representation and substantive decision-making power—offers valuable lessons for states seeking to enhance gender balance in their public sectors.
References
1.Center for Gender and Women‘s Rights Studies, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. (2025). Public Sector Gender Equality Index: 5 Areas, 10 Core Indicators. Workshop Presentation, Hanoi.
2.Gender Data Network. (2025). Measuring Women’s Agency: Introducing New Tools from the MAGNET Initiative. Paris21.
3.Yang, T. N. (2025). Performance Management of Gender Mainstreaming in Local Governments [Master‘s thesis, National Taiwan University]. NTU Theses and Dissertations Repository.
4.UN Women Africa. (2024). UN Women supported first-ever Gender Audit Manual for the Office of the Federal Audit General implemented: Pilot audit findings delivered to parliament.
5.Voice of Vietnam. (2025). Australia backs launch of gender equality index for Vietnam’s public sector. VOV.VN.
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