Decentralization has sometimes been presented as a magic bullet for both development and democracy. Since nearly everyone, from world leaders to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to donors, agrees that development and democracy both fail unless women are included on an equal footing with men, successful decentralization should make government more accessible, accountable, and responsive to women.

According to its advocate, sectoral decentralization reforms can make water management, health, education, local economic development, and other public functions more efficient, responsive, and accountable to citizens. Citizen participation in the user groups and local management committees that often accompany decentralization is also intended to spill over into broader processes of empowerment. Marginalized groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and the poor are especially supposed to benefit.

Since 2004, 13 research projects supported in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America by the Women’s Rights and Citizenship program of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) have been addressing questions regarding women’s access to public services in sector decentralization, and the women’s political representation and participation in decentralized systems.

This page presents background papers, final technical reports as well as different outputs on decentralization and women’s rights produced by IDRC and its supported researchers. It also includes information on events organized by IDRC like the International Conference on Decentralization, Local Power and Women’s Rights that has been held in Mexico City on November 18-21 2008, the annual session of the UN Commission on the status of Women and the celebration of International Women’s Day, where research results have been presented.

International Women's Day (IWD) 2009-07-17

Commission on the Status of Women 2009-07-17

Decentralization, Women’s Rights and Development, by Jo Beall

2008-11-18 12:00 (Ottawa)
International Conference on Decentralization, Local Power and Women's Rights
Decentralization: Magic bullet for development and democracy, or failed experiment? That's the question policymakers, academics, and feminists from across the globe are debating in Mexico City, November 18–21 at an IDRC conference.