Gender in National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights: Where are we and where are we heading?

This practice note looks at how gender is incorporated into National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights (NAPs), drawing insights from the cases of Peru, Uganda and Thailand. The aims of the practice note are to:

1. Share experiences of stakeholders involved in the integration of gender in NAP processes.
2. Highlight challenges and obstacles impeding further integration of gender in NAPs and share lessons learned on how these challenges may be overcome.

This practice note contains four sections. Focussing on both NAP development and implementation, the first three sections examine in turn each country’s experience of integrating gender in their NAP. Each section i) introduces the background to the NAP and describes the key gender references identified when reviewing the content of the NAP; ii) summarises learning shared by the practitioners interviewed; and iii) outlines opportunities and shortcomings in relation to the integration of gender in the NAP. The final section of the practice note offers a synthesis of reflections on lessons learned across the countries and sets out key points for consideration that may be of relevance for actors involved in future NAP processes, with a view to generating more gender-responsive NAPs.

Covering a relatively limited number of sample countries as it does, this practice note is neither a quality assessment of NAPs nor a systematic review of gender integration in the process, content and implementation of NAPs. Rather, the analysis provides insights into the barriers and enabling factors for the integration of gender in NAP processes. Ultimately, the aim is to identify trends in country approaches, drawing out lessons that may be relevant across contexts and at different stages of a NAP process. We hope that the lessons learned from these early experiences can support learning and improved practice over time as countries iteratively advance their NAP processes.

The practice note is intended to be a resource for:

1. Policymakers and government officials leading or involved in the process of developing NAPs.
2. Actors who wish to advocate a focus on gender in NAPs, including national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, trade unions, businesses and international actors.