The Practice of Gender Auditing in Culture and Tourism Bureau, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Gender auditing is an assessment tool used to assess the level of gender mainstreaming practice in a given organization. It is also a tool to promote gender mainstreaming practice by suggesting viable solutions for gender related problems. To know the level of gender mainstreaming practice in Amhara Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau, a gender audit was conducted by using four major organizational dimensions (political will, staff accountability, organizational culture and technical capacity). Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were employed. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. And, the qualitative data was analyzed through the thematic approach. The result of the study showed that the leaders of the bureau had low commitment to reinforce the proper integration of gender issues into the organizational activities of the bureau. The staff were also not accountable for gender activities since they lack the necessary skills  to undertake various gender related technical activities such as gender analysis, gender budgeting or gender planning. The audit also found out that the organizational culture of the bureau was lesss gender friendly. Generally, it was concluded that the ANRS Culture and Tourism Bureau is left with much work to do with respect to implementing of gender mainstreaming strategy.