Mainstreaming in Westminster and Whitehall: From Labour's ministry for women to the women and equality unit

This article examines the work of the Women's Unit in British government, especially its approach to gender mainstreaming, between 1997 and 2001. It undertakes three tasks: first, it discusses the significance of mainstreaming; second, it outlines the development of Labour party policy in this area; and third, it considers the contribution of the Women's Unit to public policy. It examines whether the Unit was sufficiently integrated into policy-making, adequately resourced and sufficiently in alignment with the general direction of public policy to be successful. The article concludes that a lack of ideological alignment was a significant constraint on the work of the Women's Unit. Its impact was limited. In the next Parliament, however, the role of its successor will be more important if public policy is to be successfully mainstreamed.