Gender issues in the CAPs Mainstreaming, muddling along or making progress?

Presentation Myths about ‘gender mainstreaming’ Strengths and opportunities in 2 CAPs Themes for discussion/possible messages

Myth 1 Mainstreaming involves analysis of situation & options Inserting one section on women fulfills the mandate to mainstream a gender perspective. Mainstreaming involves analysis of situation & options Ideally influences priorities Across all programmes

Myth 2 “We have a women’s project and therefore we have mainstreamed gender.” All projects Efforts in small isolated, minor initiatives can be undone by failing to look at gender issues in larger initiatives

Myth 3 “We’ve mainstreamed gender therefore we can’t have specific initiatives targeting women.” Special initiatives often required Can target women or men Catalytic, strategic

Myth 4 “We’re here to save lives, not ask whether or not someone is a woman or man before we provide assistance or to give priority to women over men” Analysis Understanding the situation Identifying vulnerabilities and capacities Meeting needs/saving lives!

Myth 5 “All this talk of gender, but what they really mean is women” Focus often is on women/girls Yet analysis focuses on understanding the relationships among and between people More work on men and masculinities needed

Angola: Strengths Analysis: Isolated references: violence, mines, HIV/AIDs Advances in food sector, reproductive health, women victims of violence Mother and child health care as a priority Gender awareness in education sector

Angola: Opportunities Links between ‘women and war’ box and the rest of the appeal? Rights-based programming, integrated approach and consultation with beneficiaries Clarity on strategies/expected results

Strengths: DRC Includes a number of women-focused projects -- “much more than a tribute to gender sensitive policies. They are a practical way of reaching all segments of the community” Women and war section: women as agents Plans to document lessons on “women-led recovery strategies” 6 projects with significant focus

Opportunities: DRC Progress made section: only pregnant women, mothers with newborns Vulnerable groups: no disaggregation Missed opportunities in projects dealing with HIV/AIDs; agricultural activities; children, human rights, refugees Greater clarity on strategies

What are the obstacles? Understanding of the issues? Leadership? Allocation of resources? Institutional capacity?

Issues Clarity on obstacles on gender mainstreaming How could design, implementation and reporting be improved? How can donors signal that this is a priority? Stress on specific targeted initiatives? Priorities for ‘next steps’