Regional Co-operation Council Workshop on enhancing women entrepreneurs in SEE Milena Corradini Sarajevo, 1 October 2009

2 The ETF: assist countries to develop through learning Our mission  To assist transition countries to develop the potential of their human capital through the reform of education, training and labour market systems in the context of the EU’s external relations policy

3 Our expertise:  In-depth know-how and experience in labour markets, vocational training and lifelong learning  Knowledge of partner country political, social and economic factors which are fundamental to the development of their training systems  Experience of EU external relations programmes

4 Our approach  Expert advice and support to the European Commission  Support to EU programmes and dissemination of EU policies  Provision of analysis of information and data  Projects in partner countries to reform vocational education, training and employment systems

5 Brief guidelines on how to “engender” ETF products and services 1. a gender equality reference should be included in all key topics mentioned in ETF products (participation in education, in vocational education and training, in employment, in the informal sector, etc.). 2. disaggregated statistical data by gender should be collected and included. When possible they should not only giving men and women percentages but also including gender indicators in the economic ones (i.e. wage discrimination by sex). 3. information on possible gender equality/non discrimination measures included in local strategic context should be collected. Any perceived discrimination should also be mentioned. Local NGOs are normally very active in the field and they could represent a good/ reference point.

6 4. if recommendations for actions/measures are identified, some of them should directly refer to gender equality in vocational education, training, employment, etc. 5. reference should be made to work carried out on this field by other organisations and related products, whenever available, should be mentioned (ILO, WB, OECD, etc.) 6. terminology should be more precise (i.e.: when writing about unemployed and redundant workers it should be made clear that it refers to both men and women);

7 7. when steering committees for major reform projects are set up, balanced gender representation should be ensured, including the participation of relevant NGOs; 8. external evaluation of projects should also include a reference to crosscutting/gender issues in the matrix and measure impact of project disaggregated by gender.

8 ETF WOW (Women and work project) Objectives increase knowledge and awareness about obstacles and opportunities for women’s employment in Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia in the sectors of information and communications technology and tourism, which have a high potential for growth and provide concrete ideas and suggestions to both the national authorities and the European Commission for strengthening the role of women in the labour markets of Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia through the elaboration and dissemination of country and cross-countries reports.

9 Methodology Companies working in the information and communication technologies and tourism sectors will be surveyed with regard to their recruitment policies, particularly as far as women are concerned. At the same time, women between the ages of 15 and 29 from different educational and employment backgrounds will be brought together for focus group discussions

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