This publication examines gender mainstreaming as a strategy and an effective and established tool used to ensure that gender-awareness is incorporated at every step of the policy process in order to achieve gender equality. The publication is the result of a symposium on gender mainstreaming organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on Women and Gender Issues and the Division for the Advancement of Women with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in December of 2001. The symposium and publication cover key issues on gender mainstreaming including institutional change, responsibilities and accountabilities, and strategies from various sectors and countries.