A practical and comprehensive step-by-step approach to mainstream gender into capacity development (and other development programs). It took us approximately one year.

1. Capacitating HWs of 35 Institutions within
ESA with Knowledge & Skills to “Wear the
Gender Lens” in Design & Delivery of
Capacity Development Programs
By
Phyllis Ombonyo
pombonyo@africacapacityalliance.org)
www.africacapacityalliance.org
Through Partnership, Provide Sustainable Capacity Solutions to Improve Lives in Africa
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2. Presentation Outline
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About ACA
Problem Statement/Background
Key International Commitments and Declarations
the Objective
The process
Work Plan Extract: Gender Indicators
Results
Challenges and Lessons Learnt
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
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3. About Africa Capacity Alliance (ACA)
• ACA (formerly known as RATN) is an alliance of
37 MIs working in 12 countries of Africa.
• Established in 1997, ACA’s mission is through
partnerships, to provide sustainable capacity
solutions to improve lives in Africa.
• ACA’s strategic pillars include HSS, CSS & PPP.
• ACA’s areas of focus are SIDS, NCDs and HER
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4. Problem Statement/Background
• According to UNAIDS 2010, 80% of all HIVpositive women globally live in SSA
• The prevalence rates among women have been
escalating over time (21% in 2001; 59% in 2006
& over 61% in 2011).
• Girls are seen as up to six times more likely to be
infected than boys of the same peer cohort.
• Gender inequalities & harmful cultural norms are
seen as the key drivers of these disproportionate
effects (UNAIDS, 2010).
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5. Key International Commitments &
Declarations
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW) is an international bill of rights for women.
The General Assembly adopted the Convention in December 1979,
& as of 2011, 187/194 countries had ratified it.
• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted at the
September 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) by
representatives from 189 countries.
• The MDGs (2000) was unanimously adopted at the conclusion of the
Millennium Summit (the largest-ever gathering of world leaders).
Goal 3 - “to promote gender equality and empower women”.
• UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001) - gender
inequality fuelled the epidemic and included Article 37 to address.
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6. The Objective
• It is in recognition of this key client group & the
consequent need to factor in gender issues to both the
analysis & response of HIV/AIDS that ACA, in March 2012,
embarked on a gender mainstreaming process.
• The objective was to support MIs to mainstream gender in
their training & capacity development programs & HIV
programming.
• This would ensure that gender concerns are
mainstreamed into the conceptualization, design,
implementation, monitoring & evaluation of all
operations, policies, plans, programmes, activities &
projects, at all levels.
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7. The Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
Establishment of a representative GWG
A comprehensive Gender Audit
Development of the Gender Policy & Strategy.
Development of a comprehensive 5 year plan of
action within a results-based monitoring
framework of 10 key indicators for tracking its
implementation.
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8. The Process
5. Stakeholder Orientation: ACA board, Mis and
staff was conducted.
6. Development of Gender mainstreaming
modules & training manuals; delivery of
training to 59 participants.
7. Development of action plans based on the
knowledge & skill obtained from the
workshop.
8. Participants Follow-up
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9. Work Plan Extract: Gender
Indicators
#
Indicator
Target (2014)
1
% of females on the ACA Board
50%
2
% of governance meetings with gender sensitive themes
100%
6
% of MIs oriented in the introductory module and reporting
using the module in their training courses
% of MIs reporting utilizing the gender toolbox.
% of alumni reporting having implemented gender aspects
within the overall action plans.
Number of gender resources on the ACA website
7
% of ACA MI’s active in gender advocacy events
85%
8
% of researches or studies that incorporate gender
dimensions
100%
9
% of MIs reporting gender budgeting
85%
3
4
5
100%
85%
60%
50%
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10. Results
• An online post-training follow-up conducted 6
months after the last training workshop (July, 2013)
using survey monkey revealed that most respondents
have:
• A) Integrated gender in their course curriculum,
• B) Included gender analysis in reports & data tools,
• C) Sensitized fellow staff on gender mainstreaming.
90% of respondents reported a remarkable increase in
gender awareness within the workplaces.
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11. Challenges & Lessons Learnt
• Stakeholder engagement is key to ensure successful
gender mainstreaming initiatives.
• A representative TWG ensures ownership & sustenance
of the initiative.
• There still exists misconceptions about gender which is
sometimes taken to mean feminism; negatively received
by male participants.
• Gender policies act as strong starting points to gender
mainstreaming.
• Action planning after training creates commitment.
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12. Conclusion
"When women thrive, all of society benefits, &
succeeding generations are given a better start
in life“
“There is no tool for development more effective
than empowerment of women."
--Kofi Annan
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13. Acknowledgements
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CIDA
ACA management team
Nancy Spense
ACA Gender working Group Members:
Kisaakye V., Mwaura F., Maringa C. Banda E.,
Godia A., Mokalake E. (IDM)., Ezekiel B.
(TGNP), Willan S. (HEARD), Madondo T.
(SAfAIDS).
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14. Thanks for listening!
ASANTE | MERCI
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