Program Brief Coalitions to Achieve Gender Equality at Scale: Gender Development and Coordinating Subcommittees and Networks as Drivers of Change in Zambia Coalitions to Achieve Gender Equality at Scale: Gender Development and Coordinating Subcommittees and Networks as Drivers of Change in Zambia Program Brief Jane Kato-Wallace1, Steven M Cole2, and Ranjitha Puskur2 Suggested Citation: Kato-Wallace, J., Cole, S.M., and Puskur, R. (2016). Coalitions to Achieve Gender Equality at Scale: Gender Development and Coordinating Subcommittees and Networks as Drivers of Change in Zambia. Washington, DC, USA: Promundo-US and Lusaka, Zambia: WorldFish. Cover image: © 2005 Jennifer Orkis, Courtesy of Photoshare 1 Promundo-US 2 WorldFish Coalitions to achieve gender equality at scale 2 Luanginga River, Mapungu, Western Province, Zambia. its global partner, Promundo-US, in February 2015. While the findings presented in this brief Summary are specific to western Zambia, the challenges identified are shared across most districts Gender inequality affects development out- and provinces in Zambia, as well as in many comes, and it results in sub-optimal returns to African countries such as Sierra Leone, where development investments. Formal structures there are gender ministries and similar network have been put in place to address these issues, structures, making the findings applicable to a but their effectiveness is hampered by a wider context. number of institutional constraints. This brief summarizes the findings of a scoping study conducted to understand the strengths and areas of growth of the gender development Background and coordinating subcommittees at the district and provincial levels in western Zambia, and of By partnering with local, national, and inter- the gender networks at the national level. The national organizations to achieve large-scale study was conducted by the CGIAR Research development impact, the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems and Program (CRP) on Aquatic Agricultural Systems Coalitions to achieve gender equality at scale 3 (AAS) seeks to reduce poverty and improve levels, to help create gender-transformative food security for many small-scale fishers and change at scale. The support should be farmers who depend on aquatic agriculture accompanied by systematic monitoring and systems. The program focuses on Africa’s evaluation in order to understand the effec- inland waters, where the vast majority of tiveness and efficacy of such platforms. people dependent on these systems are poor. AAS is working in the Barotse Floodplain in Box 1. Why Coalitions? Western Province, Zambia. Over 80 percent of the population in Western Province lives in The CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Aquatic poverty3 and livelihoods are governed by flood Agricultural Systems (AAS) recognizes that the pulses. In 2012, a Barotse Hub Development underlying causes of unequal access to and Challenge (HDC) was identified and agreed control over agricultural resources between upon by a wide range of stakeholders. It aims women and men must be transformed to achieve lasting and equitable development “to make more effective use of the seasonal impact. Neither individual nor structural flooding and natural resources in the Barotse transformation happens in isolation. Coalitions Floodplain System through more productive and networks are seen as an integral part and diversified aquatic agricultural manage- of promoting, supporting, and reinforcing ment practices and technologies that improve gender-equitable practices. They can serve lives and livelihoods of the poor.” The Barotse as platforms from which organizations and HDC forms the basis for developing stake- governments can exchange lessons learned holder commitment toward the tackling of around gender, share challenges in influencing development challenges through agricultural gender-inequitable practices and attitudes, research. AAS is currently operating in ten focal and seek guidance on what areas to strengthen. communities situated in or along the flood- Furthermore, they can serve as spaces where actors can share their experiences imple- plain in four districts (Mongu, Senanga, Kalabo, menting inclusive agricultural research in and Lukulu). development, as well as advocate for others to The successful implementation of agricultural carry out similar approaches. In short, coalitions and networks can be a means of creating an interventions that benefit women and men enabling and supportive environment for equally and improve gender relations in gender equality in agricultural research and Western Province depends on support from a development. collaborative coalition of government, devel- opment, and research organizations (see Box 1). Working together by sharing ideas, approaches, One platform that was identified is the existing technologies, and lessons learned, as well as gender development and coordinating sub- by developing capacities to deliver on shared committees that operate at the district and goals/objectives around gender, is important, provincial levels. It is believed that these and it is more effective than working separately government-supported committees might and in isolation. create an ideal space for a wide variety of R&D stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, There is a need to support various platforms approaches, and technologies, in order to learn (e.g., networks, coalitions) that aim to build and act collectively to tackle the pervasive people’s capacities to innovate and to influence challenge of gender equality. To date, no sys- the policy and practice of research and tematic effort has been made to understand development (R&D) organizations, at multiple how these district- and provincial-level gender subcommittees (and the gender focal-point 3 Central Statistical Office (2012) people who lead their coordination) function Coalitions to achieve gender equality at scale 4 and provide opportunities for people to share Senanga Districts in Western Province, Zambia, knowledge and develop capacities. and with representatives of organizations that work on gender or that are part of gender AAS undertook a scoping study that aimed to networks at the national level in the capital, fill this knowledge gap. This brief presents the Lusaka. District Administrative Officers (DAOs) study’s key findings, as well as options for action – usually assigned as GFPs – were contacted to strengthen the gender subcommittees, first for an interview. After the completion of the making them more relevant, improving their interviews, the DAOs provided a list of potential function, and supporting them as knowledge- interviewees – subcommittee members and sharing and learning platforms that can other representatives from organizations catalyze collaborative action towards achieving working on gender at the district, provincial, gender equality at scale. or national level. Approximately 45 interviews were conducted over a two-week period. Overview of the Scoping Study Key Findings The scoping study aimed to better understand Different perspectives among GSC members the functioning of the subcommittees, the and non-members about the purpose of the challenges that prevent them from carrying out GSCs their roles and responsibilities and achieving their objectives, and possible actions to In general, study participants fell into one of address these challenges. In February 2015, in- two categories: depth interviews were conducted with gender 1. Those who viewed and thus treated the focal points (GFPs) and gender subcommittee GSCs as an organization that provides services. (GSC) members in Kalabo, Lukulu, Mongu, and For example, some members reported that the Woman weeding in her garden in Senanga District, Western Province, Zambia. Photo credit: Nixon Chisonga, WorldFish Coalitions to achieve gender equality at scale 5 GSCs’ main purpose was to carry out activities districts and at the national level than there on International Women’s Day and provide was within these locations, suggesting that services like violence counseling, while others senior leadership influenced these perceptions. reported that GSCs were created to sensitize For this reason, it may be critical for the MGCD people in communities on various issues such to develop GFP capacities to coordinate and as gender-based violence. Study participants lead the GSCs in their districts and integrate within the Ministry of Gender and Child Devel- gender approaches, including those that are opment (MGCD) voiced this view when they transformative.4 highlighted their need for more training on how to deliver better violence counseling services Proper functioning of the GSCs limited by lack to people in communities. of funding Almost all study participants in Western “GSC mostly tries to engage women in Province cited the lack of funding support – development programs. For example, [during] for fuel and transport, for communications, the 16 Days of Activism we had victims of and for participation in meetings (e.g., lunch, violence who came and spoke out. To get more travel reimbursements to members) – as a women involved and speaking out when their major hindrance to the proper functioning rights have been violated.” of the GSCs. This was mentioned less by – GSC Member, stakeholders in Lusaka, which may suggest Senanga District that funding support is not reaching outlying provinces/districts. 2. Those who viewed the GSCs’ role as providing leadership and supplying resources to “Financial resources are sorely lacking