Bhutan

Enabling Environment for child protection/ Gender mainstreaming and Women empowerment

The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) has always maintained a gender-neutral position in the formulation and implementation of its plans, policies and programmes. Bhutanese women therefore not do face any institutionalized form of discrimination – politically, socially, economically or legally and enjoy equality in almost all spheres of life. However, there are several areas where women are at a disadvantage due to subtle and indirect forms of gender bias that exist in the society. Gender gaps are apparent in key areas such as education, national economy and political participation. Therefore, while the country remains on track towards achieving the third MDG of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, there are significant challenges that need to be addressed including low levels of female participation in political, high public offices and the reality of domestic violence prevalent in many households amongst others.

The UNDP support will

• produce quality reports on the implementation of the ratified international treaties and conventions submitted by the government;
• strengthen the capacity of the police and the judiciary on the women and child friendly systems; 
• expand the child and women protection response system;
• have child protection related legislations in place;
• create awareness on CRC, CEDAW, gender, and women and child protection issues;
• support establishment of a one stop crisis centre and
• support gender mainstreaming into key plans, policies and programs

UNDAF Outcome	4: By 2012, institutional capacity and people’s participation strengthened to ensure good governance.
CT Outcome	2.1 Enhanced national capacity in awareness raising, implementation and reporting of ratified international conventions and treaties. 2.2. Capacity of the judiciary, law enforcement and relevant agencies strengthened in developing and implementing women and child friendly procedures. 2.2.a. Child Protection Bill reviewed, adopted and implementation advocated. 2.3. Strengthened capacity of relevant institutions to enhance knowledge and information on ratified conventions among partners and the public 2.3.a. Increased national capacity on social work, counseling, child and women protection case management and psychosocial care. 2.3.b. Complaints and response mechanism on child and women's rights violations, Gender based violence and Community-based child and women protection networks accessible in districts 2.3.c. National child protection legislation, strategies, policies developed, which are knowledge based and in line with CRC/CEDAW, other ratified international conventions and standards. 2.3.d. Government, parliamentarians, communities, and families have increased awareness on CRC and CEDAW and particularly on abuse, exploitation and violence against children and women 2.4 National capacity strengthened to draft, review and implement national policies and legislations.
CT Output	2. Strengthened notional capacity and systems to formulate, review and implement national legislations in line with ratified international conventions.
Project Duration	January 2009 - June 2010
Budget Outlay	US$ 146,169 (UNDP); US $326141 (UNICEF) and; US$ 19400 (UNFPA)
Link to Workplan	Click on the icon to download