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Gender Gender GENDER MATTERS Background
The Royal Netherlands Development Cooperation recognises that ‘sustainable development is only attainable when the needs and interests of both men and women are fully recognised. Hence, the goal is to support and promote the achievement of gender equality as an essential component of sustainable human development in the overall of the Development cooperation's understandings, organisational decision making in its development cooperation interventions and in its councillor affairs section.
Generally the aim of the Netherlands intervention is levitation of the structural inequality between men and women in terms of social, economic, political and cultural position and rights in developing countries and through this abolish the unequal power relation between men and women. Further more, it is to increase meaningful participation of women in the development process, not only as beneficiaries, but also as policy makers as and implementers, use of gender analysis, the perspectives, interests and needs of women and men will equally be incorporated in the mainstream of international cooperation
The Embassy is working towards an in built mechanism for gender mainstreaming in all the selected sectors. To ensure this, a gender policy for addressing men and women equally and put forward a set of strategic entry points, priority areas and strategies towards achieving the envisioned goal of gender equality is designed in a participatory approach. Moreover, In order to avoid the so called “policy evaporation” –the high level policy commitment on gender equity usually becomes increasingly less visible in the process of specifying objectives, results, implementation strategies and evaluation, the different experts closely work in teams.
Specific programs run by RNE to address Gender Equality in Ethiopia
A. Institutional Gender, leadership and decision making /IIRRThis phase of the GLDM project is aimed at building on the success and gains made by IIRR and partners over the years. It is also to consolidate and scale up the innovative practices and lessons learnt during phases I & II, working with and through partners. This particular phase (phase III) is to expand, replicate and scale up the gains over the past two phases. The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) is implementing the gender in leadership and decision making (GLDM) with many Federal and Regional gender machinery and CSOs. The goal of GLDM “is to empower women and enable them to play a more active and effective role in leadership and decision making at all levels in Ethiopia”. In order to achieve the set objectives IIRR has been working with women’s departments at different government Ministries at the Federal level and with women affairs offices and gender focal persons of CSOS/NGOs, besides the government bureaus.
Moreover, IIRR has been strengthening partnership with Educational Institutions where some of the schools were able to develop policies, which were put into effect. For example, a policy to have 50% of the monitors to be girls was put into effect. The project supported schools such as donation of drama equipment, on the pre-condition that they develop and implement an institutional action plan to translate GLDM concerns into actual changes in policies, procedures and attitudes, which was accomplished in phase II. At the regional and zonal levels, the NGO co-implementers will continue to establish institutional relationships with a selected number of schools along similar lines. At least 10 educational institutions (4 directly by IIRR and 6 through co-implementing NGOs and other institutional partners) will be established.
Five media institutions were also involved to deliver the GLDM message to the public at large. One more active media group (music artists) will be invited to play an active role in phase III. Localized media institutions will play active role through co-implementers. Media education and capacity building through training and exposure visits will be utilized.
B. Expanding Access to PAC and piloting Safe Abortion Services in Selected Regions in Ethiopia, is being delivered through the support to IPAS-Ethiopia. Presently, the provision of the service has expanded to the Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR, Tigray and Addis Ababa Regions and administrative council through existing governmental health facilities in the country. The financial contribution to IAPS-Ethiopia is 1,700,000 USD for three years which will run until March 31, 2009 including reporting time. The goal of this project is to contribute to the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and reduction of consequences of unsafe abortion in Ethiopia. This intervention will eventually contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity through facilitating the links between post abortion emergency treatment services and reproductive health services.
Ø The project is designed and planned based on felt needs of beneficiaries, professionals and the respective Regional Health Bureaus.
Ø The extent and magnitude of the problem in the country is supported by a study conducted by the ministry of health, i.e. unsafe abortion was found to be the second cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in the country. As a matter of fact provision of support to this intervention will contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity rate by reducing the death of many women.
Ø Assist poor women who do not have access to safe, quality and cheaper service. Reality shows that many young girls and many women are forced to visit unsafe practitioners, as they can not afford to pay for better service.
Ø The intervention reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies, as the project will provide counselling and family planning services to clients primarily.
Ø Children and other members of a family also benefit from the intervention as death of mother hampers healthy family development and expose children to hardships and diversified social evils and complications.
Besides, the general policy and this particular project fit into many International conventions that Ethiopia has ratified and to the national constitution and different policies such as the health sector development and the population policy: Many International agreements have called for action to the reduction of unsafe abortion and for the provision of safe abortion services, such as: - - The world summit on social development, Declaration commitment, World conference on human rights programme and the convention on the Elimination of al forms of Discrimination against Women.
- The national constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, article 35 and the recently adopted family law, the policies on women, children, health and culture etc. Have created a favourable environment to promote women’s reproductive health and right.
- The national policy on Ethiopian women has set major objectives and strategies to address women’s reproductive health needs, it states ensuring the rights of women to have access to basic health care facilities, information on traditional and modern family planning methods.
- The 1997-development social welfare policy has placed women’s reproductive health as a primary concern where by arrangement shall be made to enable women receive appropriate pre and postnatal care.
- The increased involvement of NGOs in addressing reproductive health issues through IEC and service delivery efforts has contributing in filling the gaps and meeting women’s reproductive health needs.
C. The Role of Women in Peace Building and conflict resolution /IIRR Phase one will be dedicated to identification of lessons and best practices on the participation of women in peace building and conflict resolution, which will result in the production of hand book, training and advocacy materials. This will involve identification of various stakeholders, which among others include communities and organizations where specific peace building initiatives or approaches has worked effectively as well as individuals and groups who have championed peace building. Through the write shop process and events that will lead to it, over 100 individuals will be educated in the process about conflict resolution and peace building. The book launching process that will follow the production of the manual will be used to effectively popularize the peace initiatives. Selected community groups with experience in conflict resolution/peace building will be identified and their profile compiled. In addition, the WIP project takes schools as entry points among other clubs and women’s groups to promoting the principles and culture of peace and social justice in the society at large. With its motto "Catch them Young for Peace", the project is undertaking initial work to starting school peace clubs where children can learn how to build peaceful relationships and positive life skills. In cooperation and synergizing with the pastoral education program, preparatory works for establishing school peace clubs have been conducted. During phase II, IIRR and partners will conduct various trainings, workshops and conferences aimed at enhancing the skills and confidence of women. Various media activities will be enhanced and community based action research will be conducted.
D. Legal support on the Right of women /EWLA EWLA is one of the CSO organisations aggressively working on women’s rights through its different interventions including advocacy and lobby with its partners. EWLA’s is predominately engaged in legal aid and assistance , court representation for poor women and provision of temporary shelter, educating the public and creating awareness on legal and human right issues. Hence, the funding will be utilised to accomplish these programs. Moreover, EWLA has being the leading CSOs organisation struggling for the equal treatment of women with men in education, empowerment, access to public services and benefits. Lobby and mobilise campaigns and public gathering on issues that concerns the lives of women and girls. EWLA was behind the revision of the penal code in 2005 in collaboration with its development partners EWAL as a member of the Ethiopian women association (NEWA, umbrella organisation for agencies working on women’s issues) will work in collaboration with the Ministry of women’s affairs under the national framework of the National Action Plan on gender equality in Ethiopia. With its specialization in legal matters will contribute its share in policy dialogue and identify gaps in the existing laws and policies.
The support to EWLA is provided to work towards the following objectives, Ø Elimination of all forms of legally and traditionally sanctioned discrimination against women Ø Works towards the equal treatment of women with men in education, employment, and access to justice and all benefits. Ø Advocate and promote the adoption of remedial and affirmative actins which benefit women and girls
E. Capacity building of women organisations to Monitoring and Evaluation of PASDEP /NEWA
NEWA is the implementing organisation of this project which aims at “Enhancing women’s role in poverty alleviation” through its member organisations in the country. The reason behind topping up RNE’s contribution is because NEWA was not able to secure funding for all planned activities that need to be done within the 2007- 2008 fiscal year and RNE’s contribution was much lower compared to what other members of the pool fund (Swedish, Irish and the Canadians) have made. NEWA and its members are running the following activities, Ø Organising training for members on gender budgeting Ø Advocacy program on the implementation of the PASDEP, NAP and application of gender budgeting for parliamentarians and policy makers Ø Advocacy program for sustained and systematic lobbying of selected parliamentarians and policy makers on key women’s agenda Ø Conducting series of gender talk forums
F. National program on Violence Against Women and girls with UNFPA and its partners
The official launching ceremony was held on the 24 of June at 2:30 at the UNECA conference Hall in the presence of government and UN representatives, CSO representatives and the media. The VAW program is in line with the Ministry’s plan under its national Action Plan on gender equality (NAP-GE). For example, under the democratization and Governance section of NAP-GE, Ø Reduce Violence against women and girls and improve their Human Rights Ø Increase women's access to all Levels of decision making, in particular in political and public spheres are listed.
Specific priorities for actions and specific interventions to achieve, reduction of violence against women and girls and improve their Human Rights, the following are identified, Ø Carry out massive and systematic training and awareness campaigns on national laws, policies as well as international laws on gender equality Ø Repeal discriminatory laws in every Region to ensure the human rights of women Ø Achieve strict application and enforcement of all laws Ø Eliminate all forms of violence against women Ø Promote constitutional guarantees of equality by removing the impediments of societal belief, harmful traditional practices and prejudices
Advocacy and Care & Support interventions: Core areas of intervention are, support advocacy work through members of the GBV Campaign Group and Care and Support interventions. In addition, establishing partnership with legal aid and shelter providing organizations such as EWLA, TTM, OPRIF, members of OAK foundation will be part of the undertaking besides, partnership with organizations that can coordinate health facility level clinical and counselling support to victims of sexual violence. Operational research themes and areas will be reviewed depending on the partners and intervention selected for support.
Conduct training of Law Enforcement agencies; Support training of Media agencies on GBV; Support Legal provision of services (community and institutional); Support community based behaviour change interventions (e.g. Community Conversations); Support women peer support groups, support school based literacy on Life skills and non-formal literacy; Support shelter and protection services, support community based preventative health programmes including awareness on FGM/C and other HTPs; Support clinical interventions for victims of violence including treatment and counselling for fistula, rape, FGM/C and other forms of violence; including contraceptives (including emergency contraceptives), Strengthen youth friendly health services particularly targeting adolescent girls; Strengthen integrated approaches to women’s empowerment including livelihood, legal literacy, reproductive health and care and support activities.
II. Support to CSOs/NGOs the current status of CSSP
Notwithstanding all the previous analysis done by both donors, independent lawyers and civil society taskforce, on the draft charities and societies proclamation, the following is an attempt to highlight the key issues and possible implications of the proclamation on the CSSP. The CSSP is a programme of international, bilateral organizations operating in Ethiopia based on agreements with the GoE.
However, the CSSP programme is expected to be managed by an international and foreign organization (7 already short listed), implementing with local CSO partners (several already proposed) – both will be directly and seriously affected by the proclamation.
The primary impact will be for local CSOs for whom the CSSP is precisely designed; and specifically so for those CSOs which engage in some of the (restricted by proclamation) thematic priorities for the CSSP investment and those which are funded more than 10% by foreign sources.
To recall, the thematic priorities for CSSP investment are outlined as follows in the programme document:
· Policy awareness, analysis, research and advocacy with a particular focus on the poorest and marginalized groups · CSO – CSO dialogue and building capacity in fields of rights and governance · Dialogue and partnerships between poorest groups and civil society · CSO – Government dialogue and partnerships, particularly with local government · Donor – CSO dialogue and partnerships (especially on aid delivery and performance) · Demand side work to help engender an enabling regulatory and legislative environment for civil society · Innovative service delivery, with a strong rights component · Gender equality and women’s empowerment with a particular focus on the poorest and more marginalized groups of women
The CSSP[1] proposed four funding modalities: block grants[2], direct grants[3], core funding[4] and capacity building grants[5].
According to the update given by Irish Aid (the lead donor) a Procurement Advisor (PA, John Brooks) was hired in October 2007 to assist Irish Aid with the procurement process. The procurement process followed was that of the Irish government, as defined in “Public Procurement Guidelines – Competitive Process”, published in 2006 by the Irish Stationery Office. This also reflects the procurement requirements of the European Union that would govern the procurement of the MA, given the value of the contract. Irish Aid’s Headquarters procurement department in Limerick was involved in all stages of the process providing review of documentation, advice and input to ensure compliance with Irish Aid’s policies.
Launch of the Call
A call for Requests to Participate (RtoP) was published on the Irish Government internet procurement portal (
Besides these major programs RNE provide financial and technical support to many community based and local CSOs/NGOs working on pro-poor initiatives in the different regions of the country with the small Embassy grant. For more information the criteria for selection see below,
Criteria for selecting agencies to be funded with the small Embassy Grant (PKP-ODA) 1. This fund is meant to give a one-time support to local initiatives to a maximum of ETB100,000.00 Projects have to be pro-poor with a maximum of a one year project period. 2. Innovative ideas that will have an added value to the reduction of Poverty, Harmful Traditional Practices, Gender inequality etc
3. Proposals, which offer new & simple technologies for poor households and that contribute to the empowerment of communities through the transfer of skills, will be given priority.
4. Contributions can be made to fill budget gaps of community initiated projects.
5. Joint funding with like minded donors for certain events such as March 8, November 25, Human Rights day, etc
6. Only local NGOs/CSOs and CBOs such as Idirs, kere, Girl’s forums, women and elderly associations will be eligible as long as the request fit into the general framework.
7. Projects on HIV/AIDS will not be considered as the Embassy has set up a fund with UNAIDS to support small projects related to HIV/AIDS. CSOs/NGOs will be referred to UNAIDS for detailed procedures and possible funding opportunities.
8. The PKP fund does not cover costs for travel, study tours (both individual and institutional), per diems, training of staff members, office construction, salaries, medication , office capital assets ,infrastructure cost etc.
9. Payments are made in two instalments whereby by 80% of the total amount will be transferred to the organisation’s account upon the signing of the contract by both parties. The second instalment, i.e. the 20% of the total amount, will only be paid after the approval of the financial and progress report for the first payment.
10. Proposals will be received in the month of December for next fiscal year funding and the screening follow immediately. After decision is made on selected agencies, the agencies will be communicated to complete formal procedures. [1]The Goal: improve governance, rights, democratization, empower civil society to participate in development and democratization processes. It offers technical and financial support for work in the fields of rights-based approaches and governance reform.
[2]To intermediary CSOs for sub-granting ================================================================= Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs funding on MDG3 Fund - investing in equality (for info. please visit the site : |
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www.etenders.gov.ie
