RURAL WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT

NEWSLETTER N° 5 – , NOVEMBER 2000

foreword Dear Readers and Friends, participation, and the other draws conclu- hundreds of others – can be consulted in sions and makes recommendations for the the Project database (see our website: We have now reached the evaluation phase, future of the Project. These two documents http://www.fao.org/sd/dimitra). This data- and we thank you all for contributing to the will be backed up with extracts from the base presently contains information on 841 evaluation survey of the Project by replying reports drawn up by the partners for the Work- organisations, 1894 projects and 820 publi- en masse. We have actually received 500 shop. We are also publishing the address cations. evaluation forms (i.e. almost 20% of the delivered by Ms Marie Randriamamonjy on Day The forthcoming Dimitra Guidebooks – on total number sent out), and the vast major- 3 of the Workshop in the presence of Mr. Africa and the Near East – will be available ity are very positive about what the Project Eddy Boutmans, the Belgian Secretary of in the course of 2001, but the database has achieved. We value your responses, State for Development Cooperation. And there itself has already been extensively updated which are important in the context of the are further articles on the impact of the and can be researched on the Internet. general assessment of the Project. Dimitra Project in Algeria and Senegal. Thank you for visiting the Dimitra website In the present issue, a large proportion of The Fourth Meeting of the ISC took place in and checking the correctness of your par- the columns will be been devoted to the Dakar from 22-24 November. The main theme ticulars. In case of error or change, please Reflection and Self-Evaluation Workshop held was “Rural women’s access to and control advise us as soon as possible. in Brussels on 16-18 October with the part- over productive factors”. ners of the Dimitra Project. We hand over to We then go on to describe some projects of We hope you will enjoy reading this News- the partners, who have drawn up two docu- particular interest from the point of view of letter. ments on the proceedings of the workshop: biodiversity, gender and food security. We one reviews the effects of Dimitra Project would remind you that these projects – and Proposals for the Future http://www.fao.org/sd/dimitra Mr. Secretary for Development Cooperation, Address delivered by Ladies and Gentlemen Representatives MARIE RANDRIAMAMONJY sommairecontent of the Belgian Government, Chief, Women in Development Service Mister Representative of FAO, of the Food and Agricul- Ladies and Gentlement Representatives 1 Proposals for the future ture Organisation (FAO) (at the Reflection of the NGOs, and Self-Evaluation Workshop of the Dimitra Reflection and Self-evaluation Dear friends and partners of Dimitra, Project on 18 October 2000) Workshop of the Dimitra Project 3 – Summary It is a great privilege and a great pleasure Representatives of our partner organisations for me to be in the company of the men and have already reported in full on the results 4 – Benefits and Problems women without whom this Project could never the Project has achieved. I shall thus merely 6 – Recommendations have been realised. I thus wish to thank the mention the most salient features. Through Belgian Government, and in particular the its networking activities and publications, 7 The impact of the Dimitra Project: Directorate General for International Coopera- Dimitra has succeeded in highlighting and – in Algeria tion of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, developing the role played by rural women, External Trade and International Cooperation, who are invisible, but essential, development – in Senegal: Establishment of a the King Baudouin Foundation, our 8 field actors. At the same time, Dimitra has provided National Network of Rural Women partners, the coordination team in Brussels a means of promoting awareness of the 8 Fourth Meeting of the ISC and our colleagues at FAO in Rome. broader issue of gender amongst development I would like to take this opportunity to renew actors, and in particular amongst policy- 9 Project examples on biodiversity & FAO’s commitment in its efforts to fight poverty makers and planners, with a view to promoting food security and to seek to ensure food security for all. equality between men and women, and to 11 Ghana: Grascutter Domestication The Dimitra Project is directly in line with FAO’s achieving a fairer and more equitable mission and priorities included in the strategy development. 11 New Books adopted by the Conference in November 1999. Dimitra also falls within the framework of the

Back in 1996 during the World Food Summit, FAO Plan of Action for the Integration of 2000 november the Heads of State and of Government under- Women in Development. One of the main lines FOOD AND took to ensure a political, social and economic of action in that Plan concerns the availability, AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION environment based on the full participation validity and use of data and of quantitative OF THE UNITED NATIONS of men and women on an equal basis. and qualitative information on rural women.  proposals for the future

FAO Strategy for Action be disseminated on the FAO website and in The problems and solutions mentioned by our The Strategy for Action which was drawn up forthcoming publications. partners for improving any subsequent phase at the High-Level Consultation on Rural Women Networking, sharing information and making of the Project will of course be taken into and Information in October 1999 has under- information more accessible are also objecti- account. lined the importance of producing and dis- ves set in the “Strategy for Action - The role I shall conclude with several wishes for the seminating information and of the possibility of Information - Gender and Food Security” future. of accessing it. Dimitra played a remarkable adopted by 130 countries in Rome in 1999. role in that event by contributing the testimo- Dimitra will continue to support these efforts. Update of the database nies and expertise of its partners in the field. For what is important is to keep the informa- If the Dimitra database is to stay alive, we Women, particularly in the developing world, tion up to date and to provide a means of must continue to update it. We are relying on generally benefit little from the means of even more extensive exchange. our partners to pursue this task, and we as- exchange and mobilisation which information sure them of our support for carrying it to a technologies provide and the opportunity they The results of the Workshop successful conclusion. The same applies to bring of opening up to new arenas. I would I would like to go back to the results of the the networks, which must be strengthened cite amongst the many reasons for this the brainstorming session to underline several key and sustained. These last days, whe have lack of training in how to use these technolo- points which prompt us to pursue the Dimitra talked a lot about the “Dimitra spirit” which gies, the low percentage of women staff in experience and to share this conviction with must be kept and disseminated. We have had the media, the physical, social and psycholo- our bilateral and multilateral partners. requests to extend the geographic and gical isolation of women, the absence of infra- Despite the sometimes difficult operating con- technical coverage of the activities of the structures, and the limited financial resources. ditions, all of the parties involved agree that Project. Dimitra has taken these problems into account on the whole the objectives of the Project and endeavoured to find a solution. Of course, have been achieved. It is always a pleasure Extension of the Project Dimitra is no panacea but this Project has to talk about success unanimously. And above On the strength of our experience in Africa, helped move things in a rather unique way all, Dimitra has provided a means of ensuring the Near East and Western Europe, we would greater visibility for the contributions made like to extend Dimitra’s activities to Central A unique project by rural women and of promoting gender and Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. – Unique, for in the FAO it is the only net- awareness amongst development partners. We must thus identify new partners and train work of this scale dealing with the role of One of the partners talked about giving “a them so that activities can be decentralised women in food security and rural develop- voice to the voiceless” . to the best possible advantage. It would ment. indeed be of advantage to organise meetings – Unique, because it has promoted an in- The benefits of the Project and/or seminars at the national and regional terface between 3 partners: NGOs, rural One of the major contributions of the Project level to share information and propose trai- women and government institutions. has been to create networks for exchanging ning sessions. The information supplied by Dimitra is not only information, in particular on good practices. Dimitra could continue to play its role as provided through traditional media such as Local know-how has also been developed coordinator and provider of technical assis- the 6-monthly Newsletters and the Guidebook; through the Project, and the information sour- tance putting organisations that are seeking it is also available on the FAO website. And ces and internal capacities of the partners partnerships in touch with one another. The thanks to the new information technologies have been enhanced. FAO will continue to place its unique exper- and the advantages they bring, the database A further major contribution has been the tise at the disposal of the member countries on projects, methodologies and publications creation of networks for exchanging informa- and partners as well as its database on agri- is regularly updated. tion, which have led to specific activities such cultural and rural development, enhancing it Dimitra has been careful not to widen the as the organisation of inter-institutional with their contributions on the one hand and gap which would have separated users and seminars or brainstorming sessions or the using its own networks on the other. those who are the most in need and have no launching of a national network of rural As the executing agency implementaing the access to new technologies. The Project has women’s associations. Dimitra has also facili- Dimitra Project, the FAO is convinced of the thus endeavoured to equip local partners with tated the creation of networks for exchanging need to continue it for simple, fundamental information management tools and to train publications and documentary donations. reasons relating to the threefold function of them in how to use them. These efforts will I am delighted to say that the traditional information as a decision-making tool, as a have an even greater impact in the next phase networks have expanded and have been tool for empowerment, and as a tool for gender of the Project, since information management dynamised through Dimitra. For they have planning. will be decentralised and transferred to the become more visible, their membership has regional level. increased, and new partnerships have been Mr Secretary for Development Cooperation, – Unique because it has provided a means set up. Ladies and Gentlemen, of bringing obscure development actors Networking has enabled the partners to com- Dimitra has opened up a new field of hope to the fore. “Partnership” and “participa- pile a very large amount of information both and more promising prospects for rural women. tion” are two keywords which have enabled efficiently and selectively. They have thus filled For once, on the information superhighways Dimitra to highlight the grassroots orga- a gap and met a very real need. They have they have not been abandoned by the wayside. nisations which carry out the projects. also trained their staff, who are now better It is up to all of us to see that this rich adven- By using this proactive method the Project prepared for collecting information and orga- ture continues for the well-being of all mankind has been able to ensure visibility at the na- nising conferences. by participating, each at a different level, in tional, regional and international level for all Dimitra has helped to increase the visibility the establishment of a more equitable and participant organisations, even the most of the partners and participating NGOs at both sustainable development. modest. More than 600 organisations in Africa national and international level, to improve and the Near East have already taken part in their lobbying power and to build up the I thank you for your attention. the Project to date, and their information will institutional capacities of the weaker NGOs. dimitra newsletter  Summary of the Reflection and Self-evaluation Workshop of the Dimitra Project:

At the conclusion of Phase 1 of the Pro- ject, after 18 months of collaboration, the Partnership and Participation: 8 Dimitra partners in Africa and the Near East and FAO had great pleasure in meet- “the Dimitra Spirit” ing in Brussels from 16 to 18 October 2000 for a Reflection and Self-evaluation work- shop. Ms Marie Randriamamonjy, Chief of role played by project descriptions, which set adding to the credibility of the partner SDWW (Women in Development Service), provide greater visibility of the work done organisations. Ms Sophie Treinen, SDWW Information Of- by rural women, and the highlighting of ficer, and Mr. Andrea Vietri from WAICENT the numerous roles they play. Despite the general satisfaction, it was (World Agricultural Information Centre) of not always easy to carry out the activities, the FAO also took part in this meeting. Extension and dynamisation of and although the overall results are very Mr. Eddy Boutmans, Belgian Secretary of networks positive the Dimitra Project encountered State for Development Cooperation, did The second major aspect underlined in the several problems: difficulty in accessing us the honour of concluding the working debates concerned the extension and information, withholding of information, session on the last day. dynamisation of the existing networks and various administrative delays, under- all the benefits which were triggered of by estimation of the time needed for informa- The contributions of the Project this: exchange of information on good tion collection, under-estimation of the have exceeded all expectations practices and experiences, development of budgets needed for raising awareness and The purpose of this meeting was three- local know-how, identification of resource collecting information effectively, lack of fold: to mention the experience gained persons, new contacts, enhancement of institutional support, the need to improve by each partner in collaborating on the information sources and organisation of the questionnaire, and, lastly, excessive ex- Project, to share ideas on the effects of specific activities such as participation in pectations on the part of a number of NGOs the Project within each of the partner a seminar on the working conditions of in relation to the possibilities of the organisations, and to endeavour to meas- domestic workers in Tunisia (Crédif) or Project. ure the impact on the quality of the dis- a brainstorming session with a view to semination of information and on the launching a national network of rural women The Project must continue to play improvement of the visibility of regional in Senegal (Enda-Pronat), organisation of its role as catalyst expertise in the various countries and sub- exchange fellowships (Algeria), etc. All of these factors were taken into ac- regions. by the group as a basis for drawing Involvement of stakeholders up “Recommendations for the Future”, a In preparation for their participation in The third aspect, which is fundamental text which underlines the role of catalyst the workshop, the partners had each drawn and particularly encouraging and which and facilitator which the Dimitra Project up a document reviewing their experience was underlined by all of the partners, con- plays between the NGOs, the networks, the with the Dimitra Project in full. The com- cerns the greater involvement of the focal points, and the partner organisations. pendium of these reports will be available stakeholders, i.e. grassroots organisations, shortly in English and French. which, thanks to the Dimitra Project, have Strenghtening the “Dimitra Spirit” The discussions were lively and always found a means of making themselves The group recommends that the “Dimitra extremely interesting. They revealed that, known and making their voices heard. This Spirit” be strengthened, that the central above all, the Project’s contributions had particular component also had the effect coordination of the Project be continued by far exceeded what was initially planned of increasing the membership of the part- and that the Project be extended geo- and that the partnership dynamic estab- ner networks, notably changing the pro- graphically to cover other regions of the lished by the Dimitra Project had triggered file of the members by increasing the world. It also recommends that the activi- a whole series of favourable “side effects”, number of grassroots organisations. ties of the Project be gradually decen- which had not been anticipated. And finally, the partners were keen to un- tralised and that measures be taken to derline that the quality of information and strengthen a network of Dimitra partners On the basis of the discussions held, the its dissemination had been improved by and to “repackage” the information col- participants drew up 2 documents which the Project due to a better understanding lected according to the needs of the end- you will find on the following pages. To of the importance of information as an users. The group suggested that efforts be sum up the essential points, the partners instrument of power. The dissemination of made to keep up the momentum of the considered that, on the whole, the ob- information on experiences and the shar- Dimitra spirit by organising meetings on jectives of the Project – helping to ing and pooling of information by NGOs, specific issues at the national and regional ensure greater visibility for the contribu- researchers and governments is a further level which would bring together local ex- tions of rural women and to promote gen- positive effect of the work carried out. pertise, by continuing to exchange infor- der awareness amongst development mation through the development of a site actors – had been achieved. Hightened visibility for decentralised information management, A further factor noted by all of the partners and by continuing to use traditional means Enhancement of the know-how of was the strengthening of the institutional of dissemination at the same time.

rural women capacities of the partner organisations’ november 2000 november The partners first emphasised the favour- structures. The national and international This workshop provided a wealth of ideas able contribution of the Project as regards visibility provided by the collaboration in and exchange, and we hope that it will enhancing the know-how of rural women, the Project and the use of an international be possible to continue the Project along awareness of their status, the important network was considered an important as- the lines defined by the group.  Reflection and Self-Evaluation Works with the Partners of Africa and the N EXTRACTS OF THE REPORTS OF THE DIMITRA PARTNERS Summary of the Benefits Derived and P

Increased visibility of the contributions of rural women The 8 partners of the Dimitra Project came to the conclusion that the main objectives «The Dimitra Project has also provided us with an opportunity to facilitate the of the Project have been met: to contribute collection of information aimed at contributing to the improvement of the lives of to the increased visibility of the contri- rural women through the dissemination of information on the importance of their butions of rural women and to raise the contribution.» ZWRCN awareness of development actors to the gen- der approach. «The activities carried out in the form of projects for promoting rural women are not known - even locally. Where available, the information on the activities of rural I. BENEFITS women is sporadic, and it is not always easy for those who are interested in it, such Greater visibility of rural women at as NGOs, sponsors, students, consultants, researchers, and public authorities, to the national and international level easily find and obtain what they are looking for.» CREDIF (reinforcement of the importance of their role) Extension of the network – enhancement of the know-how of rural women «As a result of this interaction, there is a number of organisations that have become – awareness-raising on their status members of the Forests, Trees and People Programme (FTPP) which is hosted by FAN. – contribution to a greater visibility of This includes the Centre for Economic Empowerment of Women in Africa - Uganda the work of rural women thanks to the Chapter (CEEWA-Uganda) and VECO-Uganda. Within this programme, other members description of projects implemented by like World Vision Uganda, who were no longer receiving the FTPP Newsletter, asked them to continue being on the mailing list of the same.» FAN – highlighting the multiple roles of rural women (through the gender approach) «We did come across a few organisations which we had no knowledge of prior to the commencement of the Dimitra Project. Our involvement in Dimitra enabled us to Enlargement and redynamisation of expand and consolidate our focus, as we discovered new organisations and con- the existing networks tacts, and undertook visits to the other countries.» PRODDER – establishment of links and contacts between networks New partnerships – networking among participating organi- sations «FAN has been able to develop a partnership with AT-Uganda and presented a proposal – enlargement of partnerships (informa- on strengthening rural women’s economy through the promotion of trade in non- tion exchange, training and expertise) timber forest products. FAN has also drawn resource persons from some of the con- tacts in the region for some of their activities like monitoring and evaluation.» Creation of an information exchange FAN network which promotes – the exchange of good practices and Better knowledge of local expertise experiences – the avoidance of duplication of activi- «The projects described by the organisations contacted cover a wide range of subjects: ties economic activities, crafts, literacy training, awareness-raising, social, health and – the identification of resource persons environmental education, gender awareness action, etc. This contributes to the – a better knowledge of on-going projects enhancement of local know-how and the dissemination of information on good – the identification of new contacts practices to promote rural women in the Maghreb countries.» CREDIF – the enrichment of information resources and their easy updating «We also became more knowledgeable regarding specific activities relating to rural – a better knowledge of local expertise women, whether it is a project teaching women how to start crop growing, how to read and write or how to manage a revolving fund. We have a better understanding Sensitisation and greater gender of what is being done and by whom in each country (except Angola) to improve the awareness livelihood of rural women. Obviously our involvement in this project highlighted programmes and projects specifically involving rural women.» PRODDER Improvement of the quality of information and of its dissemination Avoid duplication of activities – enhancement of the existing used and unused information «The lack in information sharing has often led to duplication of activities or “re- – greater opportunities for exchange and invention of the wheel” as organisations attempted to fill the perceived data gaps. for the development/implementation of Thus, the database to be produced by the Dimitra Project can be used by other common projects organisations to avoid duplication of activities. It also could be used to dialogue – highlighting of innovative projects which on the best ways to carry out activities and programmes that can benefit rural fight against the poverty of rural women women.» ZWRCN dimitra newsletter  hop Near East EXTRACTS OF THE REPORTS Problems Encountered: Adopted text OF THE DIMITRA PARTNERS

– better information on the major fields Better knowledge of the activities of other NGOs of activities of NGOs – awareness-raising and enhancement of «The process that we used to gather the information for the Project took us at times the role of information and its effects out of the scope that we have been working in. This has certainly given us a wider – dissemination and exchange of infor- understanding on the activities being undertaken by other organisations. We now mation: know more about the work carried out by other NGOs working with women. Other G dissemination of experiences NGOs have also expressed an interest in the work that we are doing. We will certainly G transfer of information (to govern- hope that this information will enhance our networks.» ZWRCN ments, NGOs and researchers) G use of information for lobbying Improvement of the quality of the information and its dissemination purposes «In the process of collecting information, FAN not only learned what others are Impact of the Dimitra database doing but also the approaches they are using in their work. This puts it in a very which unique situation linking up the needs of those seeking for particular information – is a tool for searching information on and also determining future collaborators and partners. Most development workers gender find themselves overwhelmed with pertinent issues to tackle on the ground. This includes – is a tool for the identification of new food security, nutrition, a healthy society, human rights, economic empowerment, and partners environmental conservation. The networking and linking up is very important to be – is a tool for disseminating organisatio- able to effectively provide the services to the grassroots communities, target groups nal techniques and members.» FAN – has ensured the international visibility of grassroots organisations New exchange projects – provides an overall view of issues con- fronting NGOs working with rural women «FAN has now organised for an exchange of publications with ISIS-WICCE (Uganda) and IRIS, Interlink Rural Information Service (Kenya).» FAN Greater involvement of the stakeholders «Concrete examples of exchanges resulting from the Dimitra Project: – more information on grassroots organi- – the organisation of a seminar by the Commission Nationale des Femmes Travailleu- sations, their projects, activities, etc. ses de Tunisie on the working and living conditions of domestic helps, who generally – more possibilities to obtain this infor- come from a rural background, has been an opportunity for this Committee to benefit mation from the experience of an NGO (Club du 13 août), which will give an account of its – introduction to new organisations pre- activities and put forward suggestions for enhancing the forthcoming debate on viously not known to the partners (NGOs, the subject; peasants organisations, research centres, – a young woman working as an executive officer in the association Al Wifak will be women’s organisations, etc.) able to attend a 3-week training in Nice on women and the environment. This has – some partners have witnessed the emer- been made possible thanks to the training network of our partner in Algeria, AREA- gence of peasant organisations through ED, which is coordinating this operation; institutional support, for example, the – CREDIF is often asked to supply Tunisian and foreign NGOs with information on creation of a network of rural women in organisations working in rural areas.» CREDIF Senegal – redynamisation of traditional organisa- Redynamisation of traditional groups tions: value given to the associations engaged in traditional activities (e.g. «Through the descriptions of specific projects the various organisations taking part tontines, etc.) in the Dimitra Project are able to underline existing potential in the various fields of activity, and the value of similar activities can also be enhanced. Creating a network Impact on the partner organisation of organisations will promote expertise in the countries concerned. (capacity-building) and its structure And lastly, the network can provide a vehicle for the emergence of peasant organisa- – recognition of the role of the partner tions, bringing empowerment through the strengthening effect it can have. This as an actor of development institutional capacity-building will tend to redynamise traditional groups, furthering – greater international visibility the establishment of management and inter-village committees.» ENDA/PRONAT – contribution to the regional networking effort Greater international visibility – improvement of the functioning of pro- grammes/internal activities «PRODDER’s funding basis was also expanded as a result of the Dimitra Project. – reinforcement of capacities through PRODDER benefited in the sense of international exposure through contact with the training FAO, publicity in the Dimitra Newsletter and through this visit to Brussels.» – reinforcement of logistics PRODDER 2000 november – enlargement of own databases: enrich- ment and updating of the sources of information

 II. PROBLEMS EXTRACTS OF THE REPORTS Difficulties linked to the access to OF THE DIMITRA PARTNERS information – physical problems: lack of operating communication tools (e-mail, postal services, war situations, etc.) – withholding of information, suspicion, Questo-phobia lack of time, lack of interest – “questo-phobia”: questionnaires not «There were not many difficulties experienced, but it is important to mention the returned, or returned while incomplete ones we came across. As always where questionnaires are concerned, it took an effort or badly filled-in to encourage organisations to return them. In some cases returned questionnaires – lack of awareness of the value of were not complete and we had to arrange for the omitted information to be sent to information us separately. A specific question that posed a problem was the Project Description. Financial problems Some organisations did not complete that question, even after numerous telephonic – under-estimation of the available requests and they were therefore excluded from the project.» PRODDER budgets (for example for awareness- raising missions) «Organisations were unwilling to fill in the questionnaires because of what we may – late payments describe as “questionnaire fatigue”. The usefulness of filling a questionnaire which Timing problems in terms of did not immediately bring benefits was difficult to perceive. This could be attributed duration and personnel availability to past negative experiences of some organisations, which perceived the exercise as (e.g. concerning follow up) a waste of time.» POSDEV Lack of institutional support Inadequacy between the expecta- tions raised by the project and its «Some organisations have developed a negative attitude against questionnaires, actual possibilities (for funding ‘questo-phobia’, which they have filled in the past but have not seen the outcome of. purposes) Others pegged a cost to the time spent in filling the questionnaire and they felt that Questionnaire to be reviewed and they are held accountable by their organisations.» FAN improved

Recommendations for the Future: Adopted text

The Dimitra Project has emphasised the The role of Dimitra has been confirmed to be a catalyst for facilitating linkage role and contribution of NGOs, communi- between network focal points, their members, partners and grassroots orga- ty-based organisations and farmers’ orga- nisations. The “Dimitra Spirit” needs to be reinforced and enlarged. nisations. The information provided has also proved useful for governments and policy-makers II.FOR THE PARTNER ORGANISATIONS plement the activities foreseen for the in the evaluation of the civil society sec- – Permanent focal points in each coun- future. tor through try: The following specific activities have been – dissemination of information, - progressive decentralisation of infor- recommended through this evaluation: – exchange of experiences, mation processing and dissemination – allocation of full-time human resources – transfer of knowledge and skills, by partner organisations for increased for central coordination and partner – institution strengthening. ownership organisations - create/reinforce a network ofDIMITRA – development of the decentralised infor- partners at national and regional level, mation management system and web- RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE GROUP leading to increased national and site regional exchanges, e.g. workshops – decentralisation of the publication of I. FOR THE CENTRAL COORDINATION - repackage the collected information the guidebook LEVEL for lobbying, advocacy, research, and – transfer of skills in repackaging of in- – Consolidation of the “Dimitra Spirit” identification of best practices. formation to suit various end-users – Continuity of the central coordination: – increase the frequency of Dimitra news- - to maintain the website and initiate III. A COMMON STRATEGY letters the process for the development of a – Maintain the momentum of the “Dimitra – strengthening information and commu- decentralised Internet portal Spirit” through: nication channels and tools of partner - to update the Dimitra database - national meetings with all Dimitra organisations - to expand the impact of the achieve- partners, community-based organisa- – accessing gender training from FAO in ments of the projects tions (CBOs) and government represen- gender diagnostic awareness - to increase personal contacts to rein- tatives (on critical issues) – focusing on critical issues and capital- force training in information proces- - regional meetings and exchanges to ising on research findings and develop- sing, etc. make the programme more proactive and ment of research-action in collaboration - to geographically expand to other more responsive with appropriate research centres and African countries and to Latin America, - continued exchange of information universities Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe through various means. – activating interregional cooperation to further promote interregional link- and networking through exchange of ages IV. RESOURCE MOBILISATION experiences. - to increase contacts with multilateral Adequate human and material resources dimitra newsletter and bilateral organisations. will need to be allocated in order to im-  The impact of the Dimitra Project in Algeria The experience of AREA-ED

We did not hear about the Dimitra Project whose refuge centre often shelters women The contacts which Ms Mira Chatal, who on rural women until May 2000, when Ms from rural areas, and the same can be said runs the AREA-ED Documentation and In- Mabrouka Gasmi (CREDIF Tunis) contacted for associations which work on legal is- formation Centre (CDIE/AREA-ED), has had us to ask us to collaborate in the context sues or those that are fighting illiteracy. with the leaders and members of asso- of the Dimitra survey on the North African ciations have enabled her to promote the region and more specifically on Algeria. But As far as our association is concerned, we CDIE, to create an exchange network and it was in particular as the result of Ms reckon that on the whole our participa- to assess demands as well as fields of in- Gasmi’s visit to Algiers and the launching tion in the Dimitra Project has enabled terest. This will enable her to answer spe- of the operation to collect information and us to discover a field, which we were not cific demand more efficiently, which is one to raise awareness in the beneficiary or- aware of up till now. We have met a large of the main objectives of the CDIE. ganisations that the advantage of the number of activists from associations, and In the case of our programme on the im- Project became more obvious. the information we obtained at those plementation of the Convention to Com- meetings goes beyond the objectives of bat Desertification, establishing links with We started off on the basis of a directory the Dimitra Project. organisations which work on rural areas of some 20 associations with which we Through the accounts given by the ac- enables us to more effectively prepare the have permanent contacts in the context tivists of the associations we have been organisation of awareness and education of the network for fighting desertification able to measure the distress of the popu- campaigns and/or of forums for consen- (CNAA, National Committee of Algerian lations in rural areas and in particular of sus-building. Associations) and several women’s asso- women and young people. We have come The Dimitra Project also provides AREA- ciations in Algiers as such as SOS Femmes to realise that many efforts must be ED and its international partners with en Détresse or RACHDA. developed to benefit the rural world, the opportunity to work on a field un- which has been so hard hit by the pre- developed yet on the elaboration and im- To begin with we didn’t think that there carious security situation as well as the plementation of sustainable development would be many associations concerned economic crisis. projects and programmes. with the broader issue of promoting rural The immediate impact of the Dimitra women, since Algerian development asso- Project on our day-to-day activities, on We have also observed that many of the ciations - all fields combined - are located the other hand, has been more concrete. associations we have met have consider- in major cities on the whole and devote able deficiencies in terms of organisation their efforts essentially to the problems and methodology and that their staff, in of urban populations. By Mounir BENCHARIF, order to prepare their activities more ef- However, when we went into the matter Programme Coordinator fectively, need specific training in pro- more thoroughly and thought about it we AREA-ED, Association de Réflexion, viding extension services, implementing were surprised to find that several fairly d’Echange et d’Actions pour l’Environ- participatory or gender approaches and recent associations devote their activi- nement et le Développement using the logical framework. It would ties to the rural world with a relatively 30, chemin Mokrane Aoues therefore be of advantage if the Dimitra large component concerning women and El Mouradia, Alger – Algeria Project could help to organise training that the activities of the associations in Tél: 213-2-302415 / 698580 cycles and series of visits to projects for the cities benefit to some extent to the Fax: 213-2-302415 the benefit of the personnel of associa- promotion of rural women. This is the case, E-mail: [email protected] tions working to promote rural women and for example, with SOS Femmes en Détresse, of the populations concerned.

The Establishment of a National Network of Rural Women in Senegal

The Dimitra Project in Western Africa was think about future prospects. The participants Objectives launched in March 1999 in 7 countries of the at the meeting looked at the Project together, – to strengthen grassroots organisations sub-region: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Gam- shared information on the experience gained (training/information); bia, Guinea (Conakry), Mali, Mauritania and in the field and were thus able to define – to highlight the value of the local know- Senegal and it is coordinated by the PRONAT guidelines for further action - hence the sub- how and skills of rural women; programme of ENDA Tiers-Monde, which is ject matter of the present report, which is – to present detailed information on the ex- based in Dakar. structured as follows: perience gained in projects carried out with On 8 August 2000, ENDA/PRONAT organised a and for rural and peri-urban women and brainstorming session with several organisa- Aims on the methods used by development or- tions taking part in the Project including the – greater visibility of rural and peri-urban ganisations; Ministry of the Family and National Solidarity, women as local actors; – to contribute to the promotion of dialogue the Federation of NGOs in Senegal (FONGS), – empowerment of rural women; and to the exchange of information and the National Association of Rural Family – pooling and utilisation of the acquired amongst NGOs, research institutions, in-

Houses (ANMFR, Association Nationale des skills and experience of rural women to formation and training centres, national 2000 november Maisons Familiales Rurales). The objective of best advantage; or international development agencies, this brainstorming session was to exchange – networking and partnership amongst ru- and all development actors in general. views on the aims of the Dimitra Project and ral women.

 Strategies into the local languages spoken by the – Financial resources: members’ fees, action – elaboration and/or further development grassroots actors), land laws, the Family to seek funding, entrepreneurial activi- of training programmes for women; Code, the Forestry Code, new information ties, donations, subsidies. – lobbying/advocacy (sponsors, policy- and communication technologies, dissemi- makers, development partners); nation of information (on experiences/lo- Conclusion – action to make new information and com- cal products); The 15 organisations present have decided to munication technologies accessible (costs/ b) Training: cooperative management, new set up a Committee on Initiatives with a view content) by using the experience gained information and communication technolo- to building up a National Network of Rural by organisations such as ANID and the gies, functional literacy and post-literacy Women, which was already under prepara- Africa Association for the Development of training; tion in the Federation of NGOs in Senegal Education and Training in Africa (ADEF/ c) Socio-economic activities: action to launch (FONGS). This network will unite all of the Africa) and others to be defined; and/or develop integrated projects; sup- rural women’s organisations as well as the – definition of appropriate methods (lan- port for income-generating activities; NGOs, the supervisory ministry and other de- guages) to help rural women obtain d) Exchange and partnerships: action to velopment institutions. ENDA/PRONAT, FONGS, information; create or strengthen mutual learning mecha- ANMFR, the Ministry of the Family and Na- – ownership and gender approach in the nisms; relations between organisations in tional Solidarity, and the African Network for development policies and programmes; the North and South; relations amongst or- Integrated Development (ANID) undertake to – action to promote exchanges and part- ganisations in the South at both national pilot reflection on its implementation. nership by using arenas such as Interna- and sub-regional level (small-scale fairs). tional Rural Women’s Day, International Women’s Day (8 March), and Women’s Fort- Means of implementation By Fatou SOW night (in Senegal); Establishment of a National Network of Rural ENDA-PRONAT – creation of a specific database (gender Women: B.P. 3370 and sector desegregated data, particularly – Profile: rural women, farmers’ organisa- Dakar - Senegal in the agriculture sector). tions, supervisory ministry, grassroots or- Tel: +221-8-225565 ganisations, NGOs and other institutions. Fax: +221-8-235157 / 222695 Actions/Activities – Human resources: synergism of the skills E-mail: [email protected] a) Awareness-raising/dialogue: elaboration of of the network, action to seek the skills [email protected] teaching tools (translation of documents required depending on the respective ac- Website: http://www.enda.sn/pronat tivities.

Fourth Meeting of the International Steering Committee (ISC) for the Economic Advancement of Rural Women in Dakar: The members of the ISC appealed to all governments and peoples throughout the world to promote rural women

The Fourth Meeting of the International stated that “Poverty amongst rural women Project, which is part of this strategy, at Steering Committee (ISC) for the Economic is a heavy burden and an obstacle to one of the workshops. Advancement of Rural Women was held in development”. Dakar on 22-24 November 2000 in the Four workshops, each chaired by a First presence of HM Queen Fabiola of , Mrs Wade and the First Ladies who ad- Lady, worked on the following issues: ISC Patron, and Mrs Viviane Wade, First dressed the meeting all underlined the im- “Access to land for women”, “Access to Lady of Senegal and President in office of portance of the socio-economic strategies credit and other resources”, “Strengthen- the ISC. A number of African and Asian to be adopted for women to be able to ing women’s capacities and institutional First Ladies also attended the meeting as play their role in development to the full : mechanisms” and “Rural women and infor- well as representatives of international new approach to microcredit instituting mation”. organisations, NGOs and rural women’s links with the classical banking system, groups. Mrs Marie Randriamamonjy, Chief, efforts to build up the capacities of rural The ISC concluded its proceedings by Women in Development Service, represen- women and to strengthen their leadership, presenting a Resolution comprising all of ted the Director General of FAO. networking, effective implementation of the recommendations issued by the laws and regulations which are favourable workshops. The main theme of this meeting was “Rural to women, training, education for girls women’s access to and control over pro- and boys, establishment of training pro- HM Queen Fabiola announced that she was ductive factors: a necessity for sustainable grammes that are adapted to the specific resigning from office as Honorary Presi- development”. In her opening speech, circumstances of the rural environment, dent of the ISC due to her commitments Mrs Viviane Wade launched an urgent ap- access to new information and communi- in Belgium, but she assured the assembly peal to the political authorities to create cation technologies, etc. that she would remain an ardent advocate incentives and facilitate access to land for of the International Steering Committee women through awareness campaigns and Access to information for rural women, one and of rural women. advocacy efforts. She also urged rural women of the main topics of the meeting, was to have confidence in their own abilities highlighted by the presentation of the FAO The next ISC meeting will be chaired by and to assert themselves by showing their Strategy for Action on the Role of Infor- Princess Lalla Fatima Zohra Abdel El Aloui determination to fight prejudice. Mrs Wade mation and emphasised by the Dimitra of Morocco in 2002. dimitra newsletter  Project examples on biodiversity Ghana Rehabilitation and & food security community management

The main objective of this project is to Guinea facilitate the protection and wise use of the Nyanya Lagoon/Wetlands and resour- Local participatory management ces for the conservation of biodiversity of natural resources by women and to provide alternative (renewable and sustainable) means of income generation beneficial to the community as a whole, The objectives of the project are to ferti- tee (conserve) the germinal properties thus reducing the stress on the lagoon lise the soil, to conserve agricultural bio- and quality of the seeds; and its environs. The restoration of the diversity and to improve living conditions. 3.extension of these practices to other wetland biodiversity is done through the villages and efforts to seek market out- planting of economically beneficial tree Activities: lets; species (coconut and cashew) and the 1.identification of 5 villages and forming 4.organisation of an organic fertiliser pro- establishment of wood lot farms to serve of 5 groups of rural women, who collect duction and seed network. the fuel needs of the local people. farm manure and local seeds in the mar- Environmental sanitation is being im- ket gardening project; the development APAB/GUINÉE proved by the provision of a public place of these products helps to improve fami- Association pour la Promotion de of convenience and alternative sites for lies’ living conditions; l’Agriculture Biologique en Guinée garbage collection and disposal. Women 2.training of the women in manure con- B.P. 13, Kindia – Conakry benefit most from this project, as it seeks servation and sowing techniques in Guinea to alleviate problems in the acquisition order to prevent loss of the nutrients Tel: 224-610876 – Fax: 224-610254 of fuel wood and the maintenance of sani- contained in the manure and to guaran- E-mail: [email protected] tation in the homes. GEO, Green Earth Organisation P.O.Box AN 16641, Accra-North Ghana South Africa Tél: 233-21-232762 – Fax: 233-21230455 E-mail: [email protected] Sustainable livelihoods for all

alternative energy sources (solar and The Suid Bokkeveld community comprises Project Components wind). landowner households and a large number All of these components are ensured a of landless households. Landless people EMG is facilitating the community develop- gender-sensitive approach as well as a find employment as herders and seasonal ment process. Some programme components participatory process wherein all members labourers. The main farming activities are include: of the community contribute and benefit the production of indigenous rooibos tea – Biodiversity: to enhance soil and plant from the project. and sheep-farming. For many generations, biodiversity. Local knowledge of the Various degrees of progress have been the people of the community have lived environment will be enhanced by sci- made on several of the components. The in harsh climatic and social conditions, entific research. capacity-building has developed into a marginalised by the former regime on the – Soil and water conservation: to restore ‘Community Exchange and Training Pro- basis of racial classification. Compounded and enhance soil and water resources. gramme’ to facilitate information exchange by the marginalisation of the majority of – Agriculture and ecological (organic) between communities. Research is being ‘coloured’ landowners and tenants by farming: to promote organic rooibos conducted into the impact of trade on former governments, this has resulted in tea production and explore more natu- the community and its livelihood - relat- widespread poverty. Infrastructure in the ral systems of production which retain ing specifically to rooibos tea. area is underdeveloped, with poor roads, the biodiversity of the environment. Target group & beneficiaries: local Suid lack of a reliable water supply, a lack of – Marketing and small business develop- Bokkeveld community and service pro- community facilities and no grid electri- ment: to provide information and sup- viders (District Council, Dept. of Agricul- city, poor access to information, physical port for the development of business ture and others). isolation from markets and social margina- enterprises (e.g. rooibos tea) to en- lisation; all of these factors combined pre- able other members of the community vent the local rooibos tea producers from to use the opportunities for market- realising a viable price for their tea, the ing other products. mainstay of the local economy. Landless – Community capacity-building: community EMG, Environmental Monitoring Group people, and particularly women, who have empowerment in terms of establishing P.O.Box 18977, 7824 Wynberg precarious livelihoods and are employed effective functioning of local organi- South Africa as tea-pickers on a seasonal basis, suffer sations; measures to initiate a learning Tel: 27-21-7610549 programme with other communities on serious economic consequences. This in Fax: 27-21-7622238 turn has a negative impact on the social agricultural systems and tourism oppor- E-mail: [email protected] 2000 november fabric of the community, and is associ- tunities for the area. Website: ated with alcohol abuse, violence against – Appropriate energy: to promote access women, out-migration of young people to adequate energy resources for all http://home.global.co.za/~emg/ and unravelling of the social fabric. members of the community and explore

 For more details, visit our website: Tunisia http:/www.fao.org/sd/dimitra Project to encourage rural women to make a The proper use of pesticides in Gender and Biodiversity Management the agricultural sector Research programme Given the importance of the role played The Convention on Biological Diversity, Research on gender and management of by rural women in development, FNAT is signed at the Earth Summit in 1992 to biodiversity will analyse: interested in integrating the rural women deal with the rapid and large-scale loss of – the relevance of gender and other so- component into its programme on the the world’s plant and animal genetic cioeconomic and cultural factors in utilisation of pesticides in cooperation resources, comprises three broad objec- informal plant genetic resource man- with FAO in the context of its activity to tives: agement, conservation and exchange protect vegetation and the environment (a) conservation of biological diversity; systems, as well as changes in cultural and also with a view to encouraging the (b) sustainable use of its components; practices or socioeconomic conditions women to apply its programmes. In view (c) fair and equitable sharing of benefits affecting knowledge, access and use of the dangers of pesticides for human arising from the use of genetic resour- of genetic resources; health and for biodiversity, FNAT plans to ces. – relations between induced change in carry out the following action: However, the significance of gender in- plant genetic resource management – to conduct a survey through young equalities in relation to these objectives and existing local systems of manage- women skilled in agriculture with a view is conspicuously absent from international ment and use of biodiversity, as well to identifying plant diseases (collec- discussions. This omission is beginning as the significance of gender in these tion of samples); to be recognised: the Leipzig Plan of Ac- relations; – to organise training and information tion has been amended to include ad- – engendered politics around genetic days for the analysis of the results of ditional reference to gender, and the IPGRI resources at national and international the survey and for agricultural exten- and FAO, together with the Commission levels. sion purposes. on Plant Genetic Resources, elaborated a This is a pilot project on the use of pesti- draft Plan of Action on gender and bio- Department of Gender and Agriculture, cides by women. FNAT plans to commis- diversity in November 1997. Wageningen Agricultural University sion experts to carry out a feasibility Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen However, the research basis for policy ac- study. The Netherlands tion and intervention on gender and Tel: 31-317-483374 – Fax: 31-317-483990 biodiversity is widely lacking. FNAT, Fédération Nationale E-mail: [email protected] des Agricultrices Tunisiennes Website: http://www.sls.wau.nl/crds/ c/o UTAP, Union Tunisienne cent_gs.htm de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche Rue Alain Savary - Cité El Khadra Sri Lanka 1003 Tunis, Tunisie Food security Tel: 216-1-800800 – Fax: 216-1-797292 programme E-mail: [email protected]

In October 1997, ACF decided to support the population most affected by the civil war in Anuradhapura. The main objective is to Gabon improve the food security of more than 5,500 families by reactivating and diversifying local Agricultural extension activities food production and through research into food self-sufficiency. This is translated into the distribution of seeds and tools for vege- These activities are used to improve the The agricultural extension work takes place table gardening, training in market gardening traditional system of subsistence agricul- in the form of training seminars and field techniques, water management, the fight ture - only aimed at survival - in the visits. Since it is the women who take care against parasites, storage, and sensitisation marginalised rural areas. The objectives of this subsistence agriculture at the vil- to the nutritional advantages that result from are: lage level, they are the primary benefi- these activities. Among the 5,500 targeted (1) to increase agricultural productivity ciaries of the extension activities. But the households, priority for the distribution of tools or profitability by using organic fertilisers men are also involved and are called upon (machetes and hoes) and seeds have been and appropriate technologies which are to help the women and alleviate their given to widows and single women. respectful of the local ecological situa- heavy workload. tion; ACF, Action Contre la Faim (2) to improve the nutritional level of FENAMODEV, Fédération Nationale 4 rue Niepce, 75014 Paris food intake for the farmers (women and des Mouvements de Développement France children in particular) by introducing Villageois Tel: 33-1-43358888 – Fax: 33-1-43358800 new crops and preserving crops which are E-mail: [email protected] dying out. B.P. 86, Mimongo/Ngounie Website: http://www.acf-fr.org Gabon dimitra newsletter  * 15 October Grasscutter domestication World Rural Women’s Day

Contribution to household incomes World Rural Women’s Day takes place each year on the 15th of October, and cele- and nutritional needs brations and events are held in more than 80 countries. The theme for 2000 was “The In Nsukwao, a suburb of Koforidua, capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana voices of Rural Women for Peace and Development”. The purpose of the Day is to (about 60 km from Accra, the nation’s capital), live Madam Esther Eghan and provide rural women and their organisations her husband Mr. E.Y. Sefa-Asante, owners of Beenu Yena Enterprise, a grass- with a focal point to: raise the profile of cutter/livestock concern which they have ran successfully for the past 30 years. rural women, sensitise both government and public, to their crucial, yet largely Madam Eghan is in formal employment as well as running the farm. This story unrecognised roles, and promote action focuses on the grasscutter rearing aspect of their business concern. in their support in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Grasscutter meat is a delicacy in Ghana. since the males fight each other viciously Local restaurants, popularly called chop- when put together. The animals are fed new books bars, attest to the extent of demand for elephant grass, leaves of certain legumi- this meat. Slightly gamey in taste, the nous plants, maize husk, yam, cassava and meat is usually smoked over wood fire, sweet potato. These leaves and tubers Guide de la Femme Rurale en Tunisie skewered and sold whole. It is usually used contain the required nutritional needs and On 29 September 2000, the Tunisian Minis- for soup making and is a favorite accom- the animals are not fed any nutritional try of Women and the Family has organised paniment to fufu (a doughy local staple supplements. They are fed twice a day and a meeting at CREDIF’s premises (partner of made of cooked plantain and cassava or given water as well. the Dimitra Project for the countries of the yam). The animals can get quite vicious when Maghreb) to present this Guidebook and As a result of concerns raised about the mating and often hurt themselves by bit- to ensure a better use and dissemination methods of trapping which include vari- ing each other. Bites and open wounds of the book amongst field workers. ous forms of ingenious traps, trenches are treated with local herbal concoctions The Ministry invited NGOs and institutions baited with feed, smoking out the ani- that have no side effects and work very which have programmes aiming at the pro- mals which often causes bushfires (with quickly to heal wounds. motion of rural women in Tunisia as well its negative environmental consequences) On average, female grasscutters have 4 off- as journalists, to ensure that this action or chased and caught by dogs – which spring per litter and are capable of bear- would receive proper media coverage at indiscriminately trap the animals, includ- ing their young twice a year. The females the national level. The invitation of the coordinator of the Dimitra Project for the ing the young and pregnant females – can be mated when they are 8 months old Maghreb countries was another occasion grasscutter domestication is being actively while the males are ready to cross the to present the Projet, and to publicise encouraged by the Animal Research In- females when aged between 12 – 18 this activity at the international level stitute of the Council for Scientific and months. through the Dimitra Newsletter. Industrial Research (ARI-CSIR) in collabo- Minimal overheads coupled with sustain- The publication of the Guide de la Femme ration with some NGOs such as Heifer able environmental practices help this fam- Rurale is part of the policy of the Ministry Project International Ghana. ily business to thrive and flourish. Madam to participate to the implementation of a Madam Esther Eghan has seen her farm go Eghan and her family have obtained national strategy aiming at highlighting through several transitions. Starting with economic as well as nutritional security and reinforcing the role of rural women two grasscutters in the 1960s, the farm for themselves by ensuring full participa- to development. The Guidebook, which grew to 300-strong animals in the late tion by all members of the family in the constitutes a general action tool and will 60s and throughout the 70s. However a business irrespective of their sex. be put at the disposal of all field workers surfeit of grasscutter meat collapsed the (social and agricultural extension workers, market for her product and she shifted to etc.), has as its main objective to inform * Otherwise known as cane rats, these rodents are poultry keeping for the better part of two rural women of the services and oppor- widely distributed and valued in West and Central tunities available which favour their inte- decades. Africa. In the past this animal has been hunted gration in the development process. In 1992, an officer with ARI-CSIR who was extensively although, in the savanna area of West The Guidebook consists of 10 thematic investigating baseline management prac- Africa, people have traditionally captured wild grasscutters and fattened them in captivity. More chapters: Rights and institutional mecha- tices in grasscutter production and do- recently, intensive production of grasscutters has nisms; Education and schooling; The na- mestication, was told of her long experi- been undertaken in several countries in West and tional strategy to fight illiteracy and pro- Central Africa. ence in this area. He contacted her and mote adult education; Training; Economic encouraged her to go back to rearing activities (income-generating activities); grasscutters. This was in the light of the Basic and reproductive health care; Rural existing situation that saw a shortage of women and the environment; Social ser- wholesome grasscutter meat on the mar- vices and programmes; The organisational ket. She followed his advice and the rest, Article by POSDEV, fabric; Educational and cultural extension like they say, is history. Pan African Organization work. A typical day in Madam Egahn’s life be- for Sustainable Development The Guidebook is only available in Arabic. gins 4:30 a.m. She wakes up and feeds P.O.Box 0273, Osu, Accra For more information, please contact: the animals that are kept in cages in Ghana Le Ministère de la Femme et de la Famille 2000 november batches of a maximum of 5 (at most four Tel: 233-21-244177 / 223031 2, rue d’Alger – 1000 Tunis, Tunisia Tel: +216-1-336721 or +216-1-335066 females and one male). From experience, Fax: 233-21-244155 Fax: +216-1-349900 or +216-1-350202 there is only one male to several females E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]  Gender and Technology Caroline Sweetman, 1999 new books The delivery of new technologies to poor communities has been hailed as the key to economic and social progress. However, mon obstacles in terms of gender approach data from 40 country studies, North and although technology can help women within their organisations as well as in South, covering prevalence, legal meas- overcome barriers to economic and poli- the methods used for empowering women. ures and other state steps towards eradi- tical participation, it can also consolidate They aim at reinforcing their visibility and cation, campaigns and prosecutions. They existing imbalances of power. Articles in increasing their possibility to speak up, also suggest solutions through human this volume consider the impact of a range within their structures, in their environ- rights treaties, and recommend actions by of technologies, from treadle pumps to ment and in society in general, in order governments, the international commu- the Internet, on urban and rural commun- to ensure a balanced vision of gender rela- nity, and NGOs. There is information on ities. Topics range from the specific to tions. This reinforcement is concretized practice in Australia, Belgium, Benin, wide-ranging ‘conceptual’ concerns, with through setting up training sessions, in- Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central detailed case studies from Africa and Asia. formation dissemination and common ac- African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Order from: Oxfam GB tions with other groups. This collaborative Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Tel: +44-1202-712933 work is of paramount importance: it is Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Fax: +44-1202-712930 done in specific ways depending of each The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea- E-mail: [email protected] country but also through North-South Bissau, Guinea, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Website: http://www.oxfam.org.uk networks. The importance of networking Mauritania, The Netherlands, New Zealand, has thus been put forward. Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Available in French and Spanish from Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Reclaiming Women’s Spaces: Le Monde selon les Femmes Togo, Uganda, UK and USA. New Perspectives on Violence Against Rue de la Sablonnière, 18 ISBN 1856497739 Women and Sheltering in South Africa 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Order from: Tel : +32-2-2230512 Zed Books, This is a pioneering book exploring the Fax : +32-2-2231512 Tel: +44-20-7837-4014 nature of gender violence in South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +44-20-7833-3960 It brings together for the first time the E-mail: [email protected] collective wisdom and wealth of expe- Or from the Africa Book Centre, rience of activists, academics, experts, and Le Genre: un outil nécessaire? 38 King Street, , WC2E 8JT, survivors who have fought to end gender Introduction à une problématique United Kingdom violence in South Africa. The book pro- Tel: +44-20-7240-6649 Jeanne Bisilliat & Christine Verschuur vides a truly indigenous analysis of vio- Fax: +44-20-7497-0309 (Eds.), Cahiers Genre et Développement lence against women and seeks solutions E-mail: [email protected] that are realistic and responsive to the n°1, 2000 South African context. The book is indis- pensable to anyone seeking to understand This first issue of the Cahiers is a collec- CONTACT US! tion of documents on the notion of gen- the history and context of disempower- Eliane Najros, Project Coordinator der and development. It gathers for the ment and to anyone asking questions Tel.: 32-2-5490310 about how to build a future for women in first time, in French, a large choice of fun- damental texts, written mostly in English, Maartje Houbrechts, Project Officer this country. Tel.: 32-2-5496168 Order from: which have constituted history for this new field of knowledge. The originality of Fax: 32-2-5490314 Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development e-mail: [email protected] P.O.Box 1057, Lenasia, this book lies in its goal, which is to cre- 1820 Johannesburg, South Africa ate a space for knowledge around major FAO Dimitra Project (GCP/INT/673/BEL) 21 rue Brederode Tel: +27-11-854 5804 aspects of gender and development issues so as to provide landmarks for all those B-1000 Brussels Fax: +27-11-8545718 Belgium E-mail: [email protected] trying to grasp the formidable complexity of development. With the financial support of the DGCI, Ministry of Available in French. Foreign Affairs, External Trade and International Cooperation (Belgium) and of the King Baudouin Organisations et Réseaux ISBN: 2-7384-8855-2 Foundation Order from: d’Appui aux Femmes The content of the articles does not necessarily reflect Palabres/Palabras n°6 L’Harmattan the views of the FAO or the Dimitra Project 5-7 rue de l’Ecole-Polytechnique Design: Atelier voor grafische & aanverwante 75005 Paris – France toepassingen, Gent This issue is the follow up of the second Printed by édition et imprimerie, Brussels workshop that Palabras has organised in December 1999 in Brussels. The partici- Female Genital Mutilation: Editor: Eliane Najros, pating groups define themselves as being A Guide to Laws & Policies Worldwide FAO Dimitra Project, 21 rue Brederode, support organisations for women’s groups. B-1000 Brussels, Belgium These structures assist women and im- Nahid TOUBIA & Anika RAHMAN plement empowerment and training pro- The authors describe female circumcision/ jects: they work as a network, disseminat- genital mutilation, its history, its con- ing information and ensuring awareness sequences for health and the reasons used FOOD AND raising sessions as well as training on gen- to justify it. AGRICULTURE der equality for women empowerment. They examine the history of the move- ORGANIZATION They met and realised that they face com- ment working to combat it and present OF THE UNITED NATIONS dimitra newsletter 