The policy instruments that guide the Department of Gender and Social Development has evolved from years of implementation of social development work.  As early as 1955, Sessional papers no. 7 & 8 on development guided the early phase of departmental work.  The policy from broad basis point of view is oriented towards bettering the lives of the people of Kenya, by helping them to help themselves.  Among the critical policies framework from which the department derives mandate to carry out its functions includes various pieces of legislations, Sessional papers and presidential circulars.  These are as follows:

Social welfare policy, 1964 - It assigned the department the responsibility of welfare services

National Community Development Plan, 1964 – launched in February 1964.  The document emphasized the concept of community development as being “the democratic process of including people as government in planning and working for the type of society we wish for ourselves”.

Sessional paper No. 10(1965) on the `Concept of African Socialism’ emphasizes on community development programme aspects such as self help efforts and control system.

Sessional paper No. 7 of 1971 on National Social Welfare: - Places emphasis on social welfare development.

Cabinet memorandum 78 (b) of 1976 which established the Women’s Bureau with the broad and general objective of development of strategies and design of implementation mechanisms that integrate gender concerns into national development process.

Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2006 on Gender and Equality provides a framework for gender mainstreaming in all sectors of the economy.

Policies being developed and their Status

The National policy on older persons and Ageing
Status: On draft form awaiting cabinet approval

National Policy on Social Protection
Status: Still in process

National Policy on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Status: Still in progress

National Policy on Community Development
Status: Still in progress