the existence of such standalone ministries sends a strong political message about the government s commitment to women s empowerment and gender equality and facilitates opportunities on the part of the national gender institution to influence budgetary decisions that may impact gender equality johan single ministries with a minister for gender equality also bring visibility and the opportunity to advocate for gender equality concerns within the cabinet yet it is essential to ensure clear and powerful mandates and sufficient resources for these institutions to place gender considerations effectively on top of the policy agenda