Women's Empowerment

Proposed Outcomes

Support the development of frameworks for institutional and operational plans. Begin systematically identifying, funding and effectively implementing best strategies, practices and actions towards rehabilitation, integration, protection and liberation of women in Benin.

Reported Results

Developed a national policy document (National Policy for Promotion of Gender) on gender mainstreaming involving data collection in 23 communes and national workshops. Developed a methodological guide and training curriculum for the integration of gender concerns into development plans. Developed a diary of women as a relevant tool for the promotion and development of the female population. Completed a technical evaluation of the Center for Women and Children. Completed an assessment of the current functioning of the National Micro Finance and its feasibility within a special venture capital window for women.  Developed a database with a repository of all forms of violence and discrimination against women, including on their characteristics, manifestations , estimated costs and consequences for the economy and society. The National Policy for the Promotion of Gender has attracted the commitment of the Head of State to adopt it and to translate it into his vision of development and to create a National Institute of Women.  

Proposed Outcomes

Support the development of data capabilities for purposes of integrating gender into national systems for measuring and monitoring human welfare. Support electoral reforms and the political empowerment of women.

Results Reported

Conducted a gender, politics and electoral reforms seminar for political parties, the media and NGOs. Conducted a participatory review of existing indicator frameworks especially the Vision 2016 and the MDGs. Implemented project under the National Execution modality with the Ministry of Labour and Home affairs through the Women's Affairs Department and in partnership other NGOs and government offices. Held assertiveness training workshops for aspiring women politicians who were either candidates for the primary elections or had already gone through the primary election process in their political parties.  In most cases the participants were seating counselors, members of parliament and other aspirants who lost past elections or who wanted to run for office for the first time. These workshops resulted in an increased number of women aspiring to run for political leadership. Created a political database that increased the knowledge and understanding of issues of electoral reform. Integrated gender into national systems for measuring welfare, monitoring the MDGs, and strengthening civil society capacity for MDGs advocacy, planning, and implementation. Enabled the Women's Affairs Department (WAD) to strengthen its strategic partnership with key stakeholders involved in the field of gender and development.  

Proposed Outcomes

To support the passage and implementation of Ghana's Domestic Violence Law, including developing a National Plan of Action to facilitate its effective implementation.

Reported Results

Developed a National Plan of Action (in collaboration with the Department of Women under MOWAC) identifying the roles of each stakeholder to facilitate the effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Law. Organized six capacity building training workshops on the DV Law in collaboration with DOVVSU, MOWAC, the Coalition of NGOs, and the Ministry of Justice. Training focused on treatment and services for victims and data management. Organized a Training of Trainers workshop on the DV Law for all district and regional girls education officers. Launched a national sensitization and education campaign in all ten regions of Ghana. Organized five workshops on the DV Law targeting women groups, as well as Lorry and Taxi parks. In total, over 1,500 market women and drivers in the informal public sector were sensitized and education on the DV Law. Translated the DV Law into six major Ghanaian languages. Mobilized interest and support for future activities: the Ministry of Justice, The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, and the MOWAC have allocated funds under their 2009 national budget to implement specific sections of the DV National Plan of Action that concerns them.  

Proposed Outcomes

Enhance national capacity to respond to and address GBV and strengthen the institutional framework around the coordination, implementation and monitoring of the National Plan of Action by establishing a well-developed protective system with the capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Train media practitioners to sensitize the public on SEA and GBV. Increase community awareness about SEA and GBV through awareness-raising campaigns and training of other stakeholders such as teachers, school administrators, magistrates, and police officers -particularly female offices to provide counseling services to women and child victims.

Reported Results

Conducted needs assessments, held discussions with stakeholders, and collected data all in preparation for the training workshops. Conducted an awareness-raising campaign in nine out of the fifteen counties. Trained 201 beneficiaries (including media practitioners, magistrates, police officers, teachers and school administrators) in GBV in six of the fifteen counties. Developed a training manual.   

Proposed Outcomes

To support the inclusion of women involved and affected by armed conflict in the process of socio-economic reintegration. Conduct a study of the situation of women involved and affected by armed conflict and sensitize the community to moral values towards developing a culture of peace and involving women in the process of socio-economic reintegration.

Reported Results

Conducted study on the situation of women involved and affected by armed conflict that identified 5059 women without assistance after armed conflict. Developed education outreach material for women involved and affected by armed conflict. Raised awareness on the civic and moral values tending towards the development of a culture of peace as well as the inclusion of women in the process of socio-economic reintegration, the environment, and HIV/AIDS. Contributed to recovery being planned based on needs assessments and information management systems that recognize the different needs of women and men, including the development of a database of women involved in and affected by conflict. Results from the project have been taken into account in the preparation of the 2009-2013 CPD. Moreover, additional resources (over 700,000 USD) have been mobilized to conduct another community development project for women involved and affected by armed conflict.  

Proposed Outcomes

Advocate for a development process that is more supportive of HIV and AIDS affected households, especially those that are female-headed. Scale-up efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working to enhance the capacity of female-headed households to respond to the pandemic. Hold a discussion forum in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Southern and Eastern provinces where the prevalence rates are the highest. Through these debates, key messages on the required actions to enhance the capacity of households to respond to HIV and AIDS would be sent to specialists in the government, NGOs and donor agencies and hence a holistic understanding of the impact of HIV and AIDS at the household level would be realized.

Reported Results

Developed a strategy on how to scale-up the efforts of the NGOs already working on enhancing the capacity of households to respond to HIV and AIDS. Developed a set of policy recommendations directed to the Government on how to further enhance the capacity of female-headed households to respond to HIV and AIDS. Submitted policy recommendations and strategies to the Government through the National AIDS Council for integration into the on-going AIDS programmes. Additionally, the discussion forum raised further awareness among various stakeholders in Zambia, which contributed to the decline in the HIV prevalence rate from 16 percent to 14.3 percent from 2007 to 2008. These discussions also increased the visibility of the project through media attention and involving various traditional authorities. UNDP Zambia and the Gender in development Division took a multi-stakeholder approach by collaborating with other government ministries and departments, including the National AIDS Council, and the Institute of Economic and Social Research, local and international NGOs and Community-Based organizations. 

Proposed Outcomes

Create a supportive and enabling environment for women by increasing women's representation at al levels of governance, developing adequate procedures and mechanisms to address violence against women and by mainstreaming gender into key plans, policies, programs, and legislations. Support implementation of three key interventions out of seven identified in the draft National Plan of Action for Gender which include: good governance, violence against women, and prejudices and stereotypes.

Reported Results

Sensitized 30 participants from media agencies along with participants from UN agencies and civil society on media ethics and responsibilities, CRC, CEDAW, how to cover crimes against women and children and other gender related issues. Set up a One-Stop-Crisis centre at a National Referral Hospital. Trained 7 national GFPs from various government agencies in gender and development. Developed a gender research study on "Gender Stereotyped and Women's Political Participation." Trained GFPs from the National Statistics Bureau in the analysis of gender-disaggregated data. The legislative taskforce reviewed and finalized the Draft Juvenile Justice Act as the Child Care and Protection Bill. Carried out a national consultation to review 16 recommendations from Police and 8 recommendations from Judiciary regarding the new bill. Conducted a sensitization program for cabinet ministers on CRC, CEDAW and other gender issues. Procured equipment for the NCWC, CRM and WCPU offices. Conducted a briefing on NCWC, CRC, CEDAW and other gender issues for Cabinet Ministers. Upgraded NCWC to a fully autonomous organization with a cabinet minister as Chairperson. Revamped the NCWC website and aired radio jingles for awareness-raising on CRC, CEDAW and other gender related issues.  

Proposed Outcomes

Raise awareness of women's rights and gender equity issues through the following activities: conduct a survey or opinion poll to be published on attitudes and perceptions of women's rights and gender equity in Indonesia; establish a partnership with Indonesia's peak women's groups and relevant government bodies to shape, drive, and promote the publication; and translate the results from the poll into policy action.

Reported Results

This project is ongoing, but key achievements to date include: established a partnership with Indonesia's leading women's groups and relevant government bodies to help shape the poll; and conducted the national poll (polling 2,158 people with even ration of men to women) across 33 provinces on attitudes towards women's political, economic, and social rights and gender equity. Results from the poll will form the basis of a national policy workshop to be conducted in Jakarta in mid-June 2009.  

Proposed Outcomes

Build the capacities for national project counterparts in the area of gender mainstreaming with a goal to create a buzz around gender issues and build up a demand for gender capacities among UNDP staff and national counterparts.

Reported Results

Organized a series of gender TOTs for selected UNDP-Iran members of the UN-Gender Thematic Group. Held gender sensitization workshops and capacity building workshops for various national counterparts. Nominated Gender Focal Points (GFPs) from each national counterpart and established a gender network among the GFPs. Launched a Gender Mentorship Programme for 20 freelance journalists from which 8 journalists passed the selected criteria and 20 articles were published. Established a gender e-library and contributed to the women's film festival. 

Proposed Outcomes

Facilitate concerted efforts of government and civil society actors in: combating violence against women and children; promoting preventive interventions, legal awareness and empowerment of the public; improving counseling services for and legal redress of victims; and enhancing the brokering role of the UN agencies in this process.

Reported Results

Ratified the Palermo Protocol to include provisions on human trafficking into the criminal law and developed a manual on human trafficking issues for judges, prosecutors, and police investigation officers. Trained 61 lawyers responsible for the implementation of the Law on Domestic Violence. Local government officers have since provided legal advice to 600 people who experienced DV and GBV using practical skills and knowledge learned from the workshop. Developed a special research tool called "Web of Institutionalization" to conduct a research study on GBV including research into previous studies, available services for victims, and an analysis of the current understanding of GBV by community members, service provides, CSO activists, law enforcement officers, and policy makers. Sensitized 148 people living in border areas to human trafficking and sensitized the community to GBV more broadly, including workshops targeting men and boys. Improved the General Police Department's database system to include a component on domestic violence cases registered throughout the country. By June 2008, 52 domestic violence cases were registered in the database of the General Police Department. Improved the capacity of service delivery and protection agencies with recommendations for setting up One-Stop-Service-Centres. Developed a perpetrators' behaviour change programme as part of the National Programme to Combat Domestic Violence. The project has benefited from a collaborative attitude and true commitment of the UN agencies - namely that of UNDP, UNFPA and WHO - who expressed their commitment through providing financial resources and staff-time devotion. UNDP allocated additional $100,000 to support follow-up activities.   

Proposed Outcomes

The original goa of the project was to improve the newly established UNCT Gender Theme Group chaired by UNDP to better promote gender equality effectively in Myanmar. However, on 2-3 of May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. Significant areas covered by the UNDP HDI programme were affected by the cyclone. Thus, the scope of the GTTF project was modified to focus on the new reality of the Myanmar HDI programme, effectively shifting the emphasis from gender equality in rural areas, to gender mainstreaming in emergency respond and early recovery.

Reported Results

>With its flexibility and ability to react immediately to a new set of challenges, UNDP Myanmar has made some notable achievements.  Authored a section on "Gender as a Cross-Cutting Issue" in the ASEAN-UN-Myanmar Government Post Nargis Assessment Report (PONJAR), released at the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial meeting in Signapore. The gender advisor's analysis and recommendations in the Post Nargis Joint Assessment Report (PONJAR) was one of the sections most often cited by the international media, raising the profile of the gendered impact of this national disaster. Developed indicators for the qualitative part of the next study (PONREPP) and provided recommendations for the next draft. Included strategic gender activities within the Early Recovery Programme to enhance the participation of women in income-earning ER activities and reduce their burden of care for children, sick and elderly. Incorporated advocacy messages and social mobilization techniques to reduce gendered vulnerability to GBV, HIV/AIDS, and trafficking. Contributed to an action-oriented booklet for all clusters on how to enhance participation of women in cyclone relief activities. Provided technical advice on designing the research to form the basis for a government National Plan of Action for the Protection of Women in Emergencies. Mainstreamed gender into the Early Recovery cluster process as well as UNDP's 12 month Early Recovery Programme document. Provided gender mainstreaming advice to the Protection of Children and Women (PCW) cluster. Provided technical input to BCPR on the implementation of the Eight Point Agenda. Conducted a peer review of the World Bank Social Impact Assessment of the Nargis response from a gender perspective. Prepared text for the UN/INGO shadow report to CEDAW. Provided input on CO management documents such as ROAR and the scorecard. In the Protection Cluster, UNDP's gender advisor was able to advocate for the development of a National Plan of Action for protection of women in emergencies. In order to collect the requisite data for this plan, the Department of Social Welfare authorized the sub-cluster to undertake a wide-ranging field survey, including seeking data on such previously forbidden topics such as incidences of domestic violence, rape, HIV/AIDS, trafficking and other forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. UNDP Myanmar contributed 63 percent of the total gender project funds and will continue to fund the project's activities throughout 2009. Additionally the gender advisor's contract will be extended for 12 months in order to build lasting capacity among national staff to continue with gender mainstreaming and to ensure sustainable results.  

Proposed Outcomes

Address the prevalence of violence against women (VAW) in 3 Island Countries (including Samoa) and improve the ability of the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) to implement gender sensitive programmes. Actively contribute to the wellbeing of women through networking and collaboration with families, communities, government and non-government organizations. Develop and strengthen the referral networks and build capacities for counselors. Initiate advocacy and awareness raising campaigns.

Reported Results

Trained statistician on VAW in the Cook Islands and obtained baseline data on domestic violence. Targeted men in awareness-raising activities in Tokleau. Made counseling services available for victims of domestic violence in Tokleau. Strengthened referral networks in Niue. Conducted awareness raising activities across all participating regions including VAW television advertisements on 2 broadcasting stations in Samoa.  

Proposed Outcomes

This project was first initiated in 2008 with DGTTF funding. In 2009 additional funding was secured from the GTTF for the purpose of supporting a knowledge building initiative on peacebuilding for women leaders in Sri Lanka.

Reported Results

The project is still ongoing, but activities completed to date include: conducted a knowledge-building visit from women leader from conflict-affected regions in Sri Lanka to Aceh, Indonesia to learn about the peacebuilding process; prepared a concept note for the project shared with the Ministry and the Gender Team at HQ. Concept note has since been passed onto UNDP Indonesia in preparation for the mission.  

Proposed Outcomes

To promote leadership of women in Djibouti at the national, regional and local level through the strengthening of cooperation between agencies of the UN system for promoting gender equality and support for the representation of the Ministry for the Advancement of Women, Family Welfare and Social Affairs in the regions. The main components of the project are the strengthening of networking of gender focal points, national capacity building and support for knowledge management.

Reported Results

Gender culture and other appropriate mechanisms have been incorporated into the different behavioral, normative, and moral components of Djiboutian society (addressing decision-makers, administrators, religious leaders, and NGOs). Developed practical tools, such as guides on the institutionalization of gender, measuring gender, and the 'budgetisation' of gender for the Ministry for the Promotion of Women. Developed a report through a joint activity with the support of UNICEF to evaluate gender in the activities of United Nations agencies 

Proposed Outcomes

Reported Results

Developed a Needs Assessment Report identifying major deficiencies in the Libyan labour market as it pertains to women and highlighting the opportunities for women's economic empowerment. Report used by a national committee to address women's economic empowerment in Libya and to offer recommendations to the Secretariat of Women's Affairs who is in the process of finalizing a report that will recommend measures that promote women's entrepreneurship. Localized the ILO certified training package, "Get Ahead for Women." In collaboration with the ILO, trained 34 women from General People's Committee for Social Affairs offices. Compiled a POWER Booklet which includes: a knowledge management compilation of the needs assessment, the "Get Ahead Women" training package, and contact details for relevant public and private institutions.  

Proposed Outcomes

Build a national strategic partnership between the Ministry of Gender, Religious Affairs and Social Welfare in Southern Sudan and the Federal Ministry of Social Welfare & Women's Affairs with the aim of enhancing the capacity of the Southern Ministry to strengthen its Gender Policy Framework for empowering women in the South. This project is envisioned as a phase one of a multi-phased program that will engage the two ministries through a national partnership that will further the peace processes in post-conflict Sudan. 

Reported Results

Enhanced capacity of women leaders and institutions to promote women's political participation. Raised awareness of Sudanese public in good governance principles and importance of women's political participation at all levels of governance. Improved the conditions for gender-sensitive policy reform. Memorandum of Understanding developed between the Ministry of Gender and the GGEPP Project.  Launched a gender child desk in Malaki.  

Proposed Outcomes

Help place the issue of gender equality and the human rights of women on the public development agenda in the department of Narino. Build capacities of women's organizations to influence local development agendas. Build capacities of local public institutions to design and implement gender sensitive development plans and policies.

Reported Results

The plan for the Desarrollo Department de Narino and the budget included activities to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. Strengthened the enterprise of women's organizations in Narino. Conducted a document analysis on ways of integrating women in the productive chains. Offered support to productive projects led by women. Built alliances among women's organizations in Narino. Systematized and disseminated the experience within the major stakeholders through the presentation of achievements and progress. Encouraged interagency coordination with governments and civil society. Defined government priority actions to be developed in the field of gender. Established an agreement of wills between the government and the UNDP Gender project, the convention Networks UNDP-UNIFEM and UNDP MDGs. Designed a Training School for Women and formulated and revised 8 thematic modules and the publication process. 

Proposed Outcomes

Conduct assessments of national risk management systems in Jamaica, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Dominica, and Belize. Conduct three case studies on climate change adaptation in the Caribbean region with a gender perspective in Jamaica, Suriname, and Guyana.

Reported Results

Completed gender assessments and case studies. Translated research analysis and conclusions for both the assessments and the case studies into Spanish and French. Results will be published in CD and print format as well as made available on the CRMI website. Strengthened regional networks in order to promote a gender perspective in risk management. Formed  a multi-stakeholder Gender Advisory Committee (GAC) to guide the research process. Presented research findings at the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Conference (December 2008), the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals Conference (May 2009), and the CARIWIN Workshop (January 200). Events such as these afforded the project findings high visibility and extensive exposure to experts and key actors in the field. Held a Professional Development Workshop on gender and disaster management in conjunction with the CDERA CDM conference, involving participation of over 15 disaster management offices in the English and Spanish speaking Caribbean. Mobilized enormous interest and support for future projects in Guyana (additional research is already underway) and UNIFEM is proposing a follow-up project in Barbados.   

Proposed Outcomes

Strengthen the institution's capacities to implement the General Law for Equality between Women and Men (August 2006) and the General Law of Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence (February 2007).

Reported Results

Developed framework proposals of the implementation guides of both laws for the Health and Education Sectors. Completed proposals for the conceptual, juridical, normative and administrative guidelines for the legislative harmonization for the states of Geurrero, State of Mexico, and Zacatecas. Developed the preliminary version of the Communication Strategy. Prepared a document diagnosing institutional, human, and programmatic capacities. Strengthened accountable and responsive governing institutions by creating working networks that integrate different areas in the health and education institutions (human resources, finances, juridical, communication and planning, among others), clarify the roles of the various inter-institutional partners in responding to the challenge of harmonization, and strengthen the gender units. Responded to the recommendations made to Mexico by the CEDAW Committee on its 36 session (2006) in proposals for the conceptual, juridical, normative and administrative guidelines for the legislative harmonization for the states of Guerrero, State of Mexico and Zacatecas. Interest expressed by other counterparts to join the project, including: the State of Chiapas for legislative harmonization and the secretariat of the Interior in order to develop a communications strategy. States participating in the project decided to continue working with UNDP and during the renewal of the Collaboration Agreements decided to grant more resources to extend the project to the end of 2009. In total, mobilized USD $615, 544 in additional resources, thus indicating that the original funds received from the GTTF functioned as an excellent seed capital.  

Proposed Outcomes

Support effective implementation of the NSGE-DV. Specifically, target the implementation of the following four objectives of the NDGE-DV:  (i) strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks on gender equality; (ii) increase women's participation in decision-making; (iii) improve the situation of women at risk through increasing access to quality social services; and (iv) eradicate domestic violence. Implement interventions collaborating with 4 NGOs across four school districts (Lushnja, Fier, Malesia e Madhe/Koplik, and Lezha) with a view to increasing public awareness and to supplement ongoing activities under the Joint Programme.

Reported Results

Conducted large-scale awareness-raising campaign across 4 school districts involving students marching through the streets and even going door to door to talk to citizens about gender equality, women's and children's rights and the consequences of domestic and gender-based violence. To promote the project and its messages, all four districts organized talk shows or other TV broadcasts to highlight the events. Across the four districts, sensitized over 11,000 pupils to the issues of gender equality, women and children's rights and domestic and gender-based violence. Additionally, disseminated information about legal protection to pupils, teachers and other citizens, thereby increasing the legal literacy of the population, especially the younger generation. The growing number of cases requiring police and courts attention in the last year is proof that awareness activities supported by UNDP and other organizations have played a role in facilitating understanding that domestic violence is a violation of concrete laws.  

Proposed Outcomes

To address the challenge of the promotion of gender equality in Armenia by increasing women's representation in decision-making and supporting the government of Armenia in the implementation of the National Action Plan.

Reported Results

Conducted a comprehensive gap analysis of national legislation, after which the Government of Armenia recognized the importance of the promotion of gender equality and reflected it as a priority in the RA Government Programme for 2008-2012. Developed a Draft Law on State Guarantees for Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men together with a Concept Paper on the State Gender Policy. Incorporated gender equality provisions and schemes into UNDP's Strtaegic Action Plan, national, sectoral, and local development strategies and educational institutions. Contributed to the development and application of gender mainstreaming recommendations for PRSP 2^nd generation 2009-2012 and MDG localization. Piloted a gender-responsive budget and a comprehensive gap analysis of national statistical data. Reached 2,300,000 people through a media campaign and sensitized 7,000 civil servants to gender. Incorporated a gender module into the mandatory training curriculum for civil servants. As a result of capacity building activities organized n 5 pilot regions of Armenia on the eve of 2008 local elections.,31 out of 102 trained participants chose to run for the local elections (30.4 percent), and 14 of them were elected as community council members (45.1 perecent of the trained female candidates). Overall, the number of elected women in these regions increased by 21.7 percent. In contrast, in the regions that were not part of the UNDP training program, the number of elected women dropped by almost 25 percent.  

Proposed Outcomes

Normalize relations among social groups and between communities, citizens and institutions. Increase women politicians' and election candidates' awareness of and advocacy for gender issues and concerns. Increase communication between Serb and Kosovar women in Kosovo towards peace and stability.

Reported Results

Brought over 280 women from civil society and women in politics from all municipalities (including at decision-making levels) together for the first time to discuss gender related issues, to attend trainings related to the same issues, to debate and prioritize issues that need to be raised at the local and central level, and to sign Memorandums of Understanding obliging them to collaborate in the future. Participants agreed on what issues should be a priority to local government when drafting national legislation on gender equality, including the establishment of an Office for Gender Equality in all municipalities as well as the establishment of interest groups to lobby and advocate for gender issues, increase the level of women's representation in all decision-making structures of governance, and engage women parliamentarians in the process of drafting Election Law. Facilitated multiethnic collaboration between Albanian and Serbian NGOs which increased communication and trust between Serbian and Albanian women in Kosovo toward peace and security. As a result of these meetings, the NGO La NORMA signed an agreement with UNIFEM to lead activities to continue strengthening cooperation between the two groups of women. All organized activities were recorded and presented in respective local programs, additional TV and radio programs were recorded, and 4 gender-focused brochures were developed. 

Proposed Outcomes

Establish better opportunities for rural and other vulnerable groups working in the informal economy through; building capacities of rural women-informal workers; providing self-employed rural workers with improved access to credits, grant resources, and other market and financial resources; and developing appropriate policies in support of informal workers, including developing a regulatory framework.

Reported Results

Increased economic activity among target women beneficiaries.  Systemic monitoring of the project shows considerable improvement of women employment generation and job creation. Developed recommendations to existing legislations on labor and entrepreneurship that have served as a guiding policy document for further improvement of relevant regulatory frameworks. Increased capacities of rural women informal workers: 2580 rural women received access to consultations and information and 1182 rural women received specific skills training to develop products in line with market demand. Established a Small Capital Grant Facility providing services to women informal workers to improve access to financial capital in the amount of $100,000. Offered start up grants and other financial and market services to create demand for their products and services. 1153 women received non-collateral credits, 13 women received credits through the Microleasing facility, 231 women received job opportunities through small grants support, and all women are now able to license their business activities within existing regulations. Conducted a series of discussions with the Women Alliance of Legislative Initiatives and the UNDP Gender Team. Completed a gender analysis in discussion with government agencies, Pariliament, CSOs and UN agencies. Project was continuously highlighted in the media: 20 TV spots on women stories were produced; 9 articles were published in local newspapers; and local electronic mass media was utilized 17 times. Developed two knowledge products: "Gender analysis of legislation in a sphere of labor, employment and entrepreneurship" and "Promotion of rural women entrepreneurship" containing women success business stories. Increased the capacity of the Associations of Self-help Groups (SHGAs) which is now able to run sustainable business and income generating activities without project support.  

Proposed Outcomes

Take the lessons learnt from the initial orientation on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment and capacity development for pro-poor PPPs in service delivery held in 2007 for 7 UNCT's, government and NGO's to another level. Specifically it aims to: develop tailor made Capacity Development tools on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for pro poor PPP in local basic service delivery and disseminate them to targeted resource persons and institutions that would then roll them out for targeted women and businesses to implement local level initiatives in 3 selected countries; build a critical mass of resource persons who would be accessible on demand to make knowledge and capacity development responses for gender equality and women empowerment and pro-poor multi-stakeholders partnership arrangements for improved delivery of local services; support 3 UNDP Country Offices and Governments to benefit from the capacity development roll out plan and use the results achieved and knowledge gained to integrate gender equality and women's empowerment for pro-poor partnership local basic service delivery strategies into their country programmes as part of the MDG up scaling efforts.

Reported Results

The initiative is still underway to be completed in 2010. Selected Malawi, Lesotho and Mauritania as the three (3) pilot countries based on their keen interest to implement pro-poor PPP and LSD as an approach to empower women and the synergies present there with ongoing PPPSD country initiatives that have already secured funding from donors and COs. Supported the formulation of country project documents for Malawi, Lesotho and Mauritania. Already the project has leveraged additional resources at the country level and it is expected that it will lay a solid foundation for the partnership between UNDP and AfDB on women's economic empowerment through pro-poor PPP in local service delivery. In Mauritania mobilized USD 400,000 in additional resources from the US Government. If the pilot is successful, the Country Offices expect to attract new funding partners to up-scale the initiative in other localities. In Malawi mobilized USD 198,500 in additional resources from the UNDP Country Office. Forged close partnership with UN Habitat during the design and formulation phases that will be pursued at the subsequent phase through provision of day-to-day programme implementation support and oversight through their Habitat Programme Manager housed in UNDP Country Office as part of the UNDP-UN Habitat corporate agreement.