RBNOVEMBER091 One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward: Women’s Empowerment Dance VT OIRED Women in Development Discussion Series: Fall 2009 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ms. Revathi Balakrishnan, Ph.D. Gender in Agriculture Consultant Formerly FAO/UN Gender and Development Officer Focused broadly on global gender programs under UN Mandate: Based on presenters’ experience with development work through UN assistance framework

RBNOVEMBER092 Changing Development and Funding Priorities One Step Forward Two Steps Backward Gender Equality /Rural Women’s Empowerment Program Commitment/ Resource Availability CHALLENGE : EMPOWERMENT DANCE UN AGENCIES BASED GENDER/WOMEN CENTERED PROGRAMS MAINTAINING A VIABLE PROGRAM TO SERVE GROWING DEMANDS FROM THE UN MEMBER COUNTRIES

RBNOVEMBER093 COMPETING PARADIGMS DEFINING ASSISTANCE GENDER EQUALITY GENDER EQUIITY WOMEN’S RIGHTS WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PRO WOMEN DIVERSITY AMONG DONORS/PARTNERSHIPS OECD, EUROPEAN GROUP, ASIAN GROUP, ARAB GROUP,USA DIFFERENCES AMONG/WITHIN MEMBER COUNTRIES GOVERNEMENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES NGO COMMUNITY LOCAL GOVERNEMNT AGENCIES WOMEN IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

RBNOVEMBER094 A HISTORIAL VIEW ON FAO FOCUS ON RURAL WOMEN Trends within FAO: Nomenclature and Program Focus Mission: Food Security Intervention Context: Agriculture, Rural Economy, NRM Women in Agriculture and Rural Services Gender and Development Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Direct Technical Assistance Project Centered Outreach to Women Gender Mainstreaming Program Support to Member Countries Policy Review Advice to Member Countries Changing Alliances and Shrinking Resources

RBNOVEMBER095 Goal: Gender Asymmetry to Gender Equality Process: What is Empowerment? Empowerment Defined by Various Agencies that Fund UN Programs Second Act of Empowerment Dance Pathways to Empowerment Personal Choices in Social Sphere ( Women’s Rights) Economic Sphere Opportunities (Micro Credit) Advancement in Learning ( Girl’s Education) Political Participation ( Quota in Governance Structure) Goal: Gender Asymmetry to Gender Equality Process: What is Empowerment? Empowerment Defined by Various Agencies that Fund UN Programs Second Act of Empowerment Dance Pathways to Empowerment Personal Choices in Social Sphere ( Women’s Rights) Economic Sphere Opportunities (Micro Credit) Advancement in Learning ( Girl’s Education) Political Participation ( Quota in Governance Structure)

RBNOVEMBER096 UN Millennium Development Goals: UN Common Goals Reform: Coordination Mandate Each UN Agency FAO Priorities Goal 1: Eradicating Poverty and Hunger Goal 3: Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women UN GENDER PROGRAM ARCHITECTURE SPECIAL GENDER ADVISER TO SEC GENERAL DAW INSTRW UNIFEM MEMBER– NGO PRESSURE-2009 NEW AGENCY-DDG

7 Sustainable Livelihood Through Gender Lens Po li cies And Institutions Policies And Institutions MARKETS ASSETS RISK & VULNERABILIY INFORMATION & ORGANIZATION Sustainable Livelihood Gender Asymmetries Gender Asymmetries Source: Gender In Agriculture Source Book, World Bank,2008 Adapted RBNOVEMBER 09

8 FOOD CRISIS AND ECONOMIC CRISIS REFOCUS ON AGRICULTURE RURAL WOMEN WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE Today, agriculture’s ability to generate income for the poor, particularly women, is more important for food security than its ability to increase local food supplies. World Development Report 2008 FUTURE FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT ARCHITECTURE IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Empowerment Dance Continues