Empowering Women through Civil Society
Investing in Women and Entrepreneurship:
Solutions to Addressing MDG 3
8 March 2012
Roland Rich
The Work of the UN Democracy Fund
• Established in 2005 to strengthen the voice of civil
society
• In 5 rounds of funding to date have made grants of more
than $100m to 400 projects in 150 countries
• “Demand Driven” through applications directly from
CSOs, not through nominations from governments
• 2 year projects “owned” by the project deliverers with
UNDEF secretariat undertaking basic project oversight
role
• Information and project evaluations on website:
http://www.un.org/democracyfund/
Liberia-146
Liberia
After 14 years of civil war, Liberia’s women remain highly vulnerable. UNDEF
funds a project to give them voice through Liberia Women Democracy Radio,
one of the first radio stations in Africa to feature exclusively broadcasts by
women for women. The station, run by the Liberia Women Media Action
Committee, also trains female journalists.
Tanzania-155
Tanzania
Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, justice and the rule of law are essential to
empowering women to fight AIDS. In Tanzania, UNDEF supports a groundbreaking partnership between women judges and grassroots activists to help
the judiciary in addressing HIV/AIDS. The project brings together the Society for
Women and AIDS in Africa-Tanzania, the International Association of Women
Judges and the Tanzania Women Judges Association.
Egypt-241
Egypt
Ensuring women's participation will be crucial building a democratic and well-governed
Egypt. An UNDEF-funded initiative works to strengthen women's role, including in
future elections. Implemented by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, the
project has established a watchdog to monitor women's political and institutional
access, while training women leaders to effectively take part in electoral campaigns.
Morocco-166
Morocco
Tapping into the political energy of Morocco’s youth and women, UNDEF funds
a project to educate them as trainers in public and electoral affairs.
Implemented by the Moroccan Center for Civic Education, the project
includes workshops on human rights, electoral participation, laws governing
elections, candidates’ education levels, the role of the media and schools.
Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco-240
Tunisia
The political participation of women will be critical in building a new Tunisia. An
UNDEF-funded project uses communication campaigns to promote a positive
image of leadership by women from diverse backgrounds, improve awareness
of women's rights, and advance gender equality. Implemented by the Tunisbased independent regional Centre of Arab Women Training and Research,
the initiative also covers Tunisia's neighbours Algeria and Morocco.
Afganistan-002
Afghanistan
One of several UNDEF-funded projects in Afghanistan is an initiative on human
rights within the context of Islam. The initiative, implemented by Equal Access
Afghanistan, includes a 100-episode radio drama, women’s and girls’ listening
circles and human rights leadership training. The radio series raises issues such as
forced marriage, violence against women, and access to education, employment
and health care, often using humour as a tool to encourage audiences.
Bangladesh-250
Bangladesh
UNDEF funds a project for active civic engagement among the Bangladeshi
poor in local government. The initiative is implemented by BRAC, some of
whose beneficiaries are shown here with UNDEF Executive Head Roland
Rich. It addresses both the demand and supply sides of governance,
develops information-sharing practices, and targets local bureaucratic and
political culture to make it responsive towards the poor.
India-253
India
In the world’s largest democracy, elected women still face multiple
obstacles to full and active participation. UNDEF funds an initiative
in India’s largest state, Rajasthan, to increase women's participation
in local electoral processes. Implemented by The Hunger Project
India, the initiative strengthens the leadership of women elected to
Gram Panchayats, or village councils; advocates policies enabling
more women to participate; and engages with media for positive
coverage of elected women's work.
Papua New Guinea-183
Papua New Guinea
One of the most rural and culturally diverse countries on Earth, Papua New Guinea
faces particular challenges in political participation. An UNDEF-funded project
implemented by the National Council of Women trains women politicians and
candidates running for office in leadership skills, policy and budget formulation as
well as women's advancement, while fostering cooperation with strategic partners.
Global 346
Georgia
These women in Georgia are showing off their certificates after completing a
Women’s Leadership School course. The course is delivered by the
Women’s Democracy Network based at IRI (Washington DC) and aims to
give participants the skills, confidence and network to play a leadership role
in their chosen field. Similar course will be delivered in Bangladesh,
Cameroon and Guatemala.
Moldova, Ukraine-263
Moldova, Ukraine
Civic engagement and
democratic participation in
Moldova and Ukraine remain
low and imbued with mistrust.
UNDEF supports a project to
strengthen collaboration
between government and civil
society. Implemented by Euclid
Network, the project enables
representatives from
government and civil society to
meet and build trust over time.
This master class for Ukrainian
civil society representatives
included an emotional situation
during role play, as the
participant was attempting to
make the group listen to her.
Colombia-274
Colombia
After almost five decades of armed conflict, women are among the strongest
forces for peace in Colombia. UNDEF supports an initiative for women´s
participation in politics. Implemented by the Corporación Centro de Apoyo
Popular, the project is in the impoverished community of Soacha, which was at
the centre of a deep controversy over alleged extrajudicial executions in 2008.
Why Support Women’s Empowerment?
• For reasons of fairness and equity
• Change the status quo: strengthen the
disadvantaged – women the largest group
• Change patriarchal politics to change
society
• Role of women – litmus test of modernity
• UN is a leading force for women’s
empowerment