The South African government has committed itself to the equality of women and, in particular, the implementation of an equality strategy known as gender mainstreaming. Mainstreaming requires the integration of a gender perspective into policy-making programmes. This article examines the case for gender mainstreaming as well as the prerequisites or basic requirements for its effective implementation. Based on these criteria, the second part of the article addresses the extent to which an enabling environment for gender mainstreaming has been established in South Africa. The last part provides an indication of the state of gender mainstreaming in the country by considering some policy documents and development programmes. Particular attention is paid to the factors impeding the implementation of such a strategy.