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{ 1{ f G f G f G f G f G f G f G Newsletter N° 17 – Brussels, November 2009 November – Brussels, 17 N° Newsletter f Newsletter G f G f G f G f G f G f G f RURAL WOMEN, GENDER AND AND DEVELOPMENT GENDER WOMEN, RURAL G Communicating gender for development Niger and DRC the in clubs listeners’ Community Capitalisation of good practices Africa in West Dimitra fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG

Editorial h Table of contents f 3 | ‘Communicating gender for development’ – Module and pilot training courses 6 | DRC – New community radio listeners’ clubs in Dear readers, Katanga 7 | Niger – Community radio listeners’ clubs to reinforce At the end of 2009, despite the international Good Practices in Support of Agricultural women’s leadership commitments made to achieving the Millen- Production and Food Security’. This project 8 | From experience to knowledge sharing: nium Development Goals, over a billion people is one of the components of the ‘Knowledge the capitalisation of good practices for rural are going hungry and 70% of those women and Management and Gender’ programme in the organisations in West Africa men who suffer from hunger live in rural areas. FAO-Belgium partnership, and covers four 10 | AfricaAdapt: sharing knowledge to adapt to climate These alarming results inevitably raise ques- West African countries: Niger, Burkina Faso, change tions as to the effectiveness of the development Mali and Senegal. The aim of this programme 11 | DRC – Radio Bubusa FM, the voice of rural women policies being implemented and strengthen is to ensure systematic and transversal inte- 12 | Women’s Portraits - Djermakoye Maidanda Hadjia our determination to continue with our partici- gration of gender issues through participatory Maïmouna: “For the emancipation of the women patory communication actions. Thus, amidst communication and improved information of Niger” the turmoil of the financial and economic cri- sharing. 14 | Micro-gardens – sources of vitamins and, potentially, sis which is severely affecting all countries, we income present issue 17 of the Dimitra Newsletter. The AfricaAdapt network is also working 15 | The status of women and reform in Morocco on capitalisation and shows how improved Over the past months, Dimitra has been build- knowledge sharing would enable local com- 16 | CAFOB: A forum for Burundian women ing the capacities of its partners in the area munities to exchange practices for adaptation 18 | Madagascar – HARDI, an entrepreneurial model for of gender and communication. A training to climate change and increase their own resil- family farming module called ‘Communicating gender for ience. 20 | MIJARC – Political participation of rural women development’ has been developed and tested 21 | King Baudouin International Development Prize in Senegal, the DRC and Niger. Its main goal In addition, you will find out how micro- awarded to Indonesian radio press agency KBR68H is to clarify what ‘gender’ is all about and how gardens can improve the food and nutrition 22 | Resources it is used concretely in communication activi- security of poor city-dwellers who have no (or 23 | A Regional Research Centre on Women, Gender and ties. This training module is intended for our difficult) access to land. Peace Building in the Great Lakes Region various stakeholders and partners: represent- atives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Family This issue’s “Women’s Portraits” series fea- or Gender, Rural Development, Education, tures Mrs Maïmouna Djermakoye, President etc., as well as farmers’ organisations, NGOs, of the NGO Doubani, who works to promote the media (particularly community radio jour- women in Niger. nalists), and so on. This year’s King Baudouin International Community radio listeners’ clubs are a door to Development Prize was awarded to the Indo- the economic, political and social empower- nesian radio news agency KBR68H, a network ment of rural populations, especially women. of over 630 radio stations working for democ- They are also a very positive factor for local racy, tolerance and development. good governance practices in the framework of decentralisation policies in progress in Finally, MIJARC explains how it implements its many African countries. Three new radio lis- specific gender objectives, and how “ women teners’ clubs have been created in Katanga are empowered at all levels with regard to their (DRC) and a large number are being formed rights and their participation as leaders”. in Niger, in cooperation with literacy centres and community radio stations. We shall also Numerous other exciting reports and resources be presenting Radio Bubusa, a community await you in this issue. Happy reading! radio station operated for and by rural women, which has been broadcasting in the province of South Kivu (DRC) since January 2008. Marcela Villarreal Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division This issue of the Newsletter also introduces FAO, Economic and Social Development Department

© Dimitra © readers to the FAO project ‘Capitalisation of

CONTACTS Eliane Najros, Project Coordinator, S +32 2 5490310 With the financial support of the Maartje Houbrechts, Project Officer, S +32 2 5496168 Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Devel- Marie Tully, Project Assistant, S +32 2 5490285 opment Cooperation (DGDC) Bel- gium and of the King Baudouin Yannick De Mol, Associate Professional Officer (Senegal), S +221 338891632 FOOD AND Foundation. AGRICULTURE T +32 2 5490314 – e-mail: Dimitra@ Dimitra.org – www.fao.org/ Dimitra ORGANIZATION The content of the articles does not FAO Dimitra Project, 21 rue Brederode, b-1000 Brussels, Belgium © Dimitra OF THE UNITED NATIONS necessarily reflect the views of FAO. Design: Atelier voor grafische & aanverwante toepassingen, Ghent Editor: Eliane Najros, FAO Dimitra Project, Printed by Parys Printing, Evergem-Ghent 21 rue Brederode, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

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‘Communicating gender for development’: Dimitra’s new training module

For the past few months, Dimitra has been developing a training module on gender- sensitive communication. A word of explanation…

Further to requests from its partners, Dimitra Principles of the training course – help governments to formulate agricultural began to develop a training course which The goal of the ‘Communicating gender’ and development policies that take gender emphasised the links between ‘gender’ and training course is to contribute to development equality into account, exclude no one and ‘communication for development’. The course efforts for gender equality by promoting infor- are participatory. is also rooted in Dimitra’s own experience. mation and communication that take gender issues into account. At the end of the training course, all partici- Through the implementation of its many pants will have: activities over time, Dimitra identified a need Its general aims are to: – basic knowledge of gender issues and among its partners in this field. Staff at the – build the capacity of government per sonnel communication; ministries and many other parties involved in to transversally include gender issues in – increased their ability to analyse a com- Dimitra’s activities wanted to improve their agricultural and rural development policies munication situation from a gender pers- communication methods, information tools and measure their differentiated impact pective and develop a strategic vision of and gender knowledge to raise the profile of on men and women, including vulnerable communication; and better explain the challenges related to groups and female-headed households; – been encouraged to change their beha- gender equality, especially in the area of agri- – ensure equal access for men and women viour in the workplace and ensure that their culture and rural development. to resources, goods, services and decision- communication actions are more gender making in rural areas; sensitive. The gender concept and approach The concept of gender is complex and often misunderstood, it carries many stereotypes and raises numerous questions. Despite the amount of information available on the sub- ject, few social actors truly understand gen- der-equality issues. Although the media have a major part to play in information diffusion, awareness-raising and social extension work, particularly at local level, they show little inter- est in gender issues. Furthermore, the commu- nication capacities of NGOs working for rural development are often limited. Ministries too often confuse ‘gender’ and ‘women’ and find it difficult to integrate gender into their national policies.

One of the keys to reducing and removing per- sistent inequalities between men and women is access to information. Such access enables men and women to understand the issues at stake and seize opportunities for changes in behaviour at the social, economic, technical and political levels. However, such change can only take place if both men and women are involved in the transformation process.

The ‘Communicating gender for development’ training course aims to contribute to development efforts for gender equality by promoting information and

communication that take gender issues into account. Dimitra ©

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‘Communicating gender for development’ training course

three pilot workshops in senegal, the drc and niger

A key stage in the development of the ‘Communicating gender for development’ module, the organisation of pilot workshops in MBour (Senegal), Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Niamey (Niger) has finalised Dimitra’s innovative training module. Almost 90 participants from ministries, the media, grassroots and international organisations gathered with two purposes: increasing their gender and communication capacities and testing the training module. The training courses were facilitated by Agnès Le Magadoux and Yannick De Mol.

Senegal: the first step Niger: the conclusion Lessons learned Last June, the Dimitra team launched its The last pilot workshop was organised in Generally speaking, the organisation of this series of training courses by organising a Niamey at the end of September by Dimitra’s series of pilot training courses made it possible workshop on ‘Communicating gender for partner organisation ONG-VIE, which works to confront theory with practice and fine-tune development’ at the Enda Made Sahel Centre mainly in the field of informal education and a number of components, in particular by lis- in MBour. This first step confirmed the impor- literacy. Although quite similar to the one tening to participant feedback, during both the tance of anchoring gender training in practical organised in Katanga, the main differences training courses and the final evaluation ses- and concrete experience. Although this train- were related to the composition of the group sion. Here are the main conclusions: ing module is, in many ways, an introduction – this workshop attracted a higher number of to gender concepts and the basics of commu- gender experts – and the improvement of the – The effectiveness of the selected teaching nication, using examples drawn from partici- teaching materials. The group was particularly approach was demonstrated: based on the pants’ everyday lives is clearly a good way to diverse, which influenced its dynamics. But, principles of participatory communication, proceed. Drawing from participants’ experi- again, the development of a communication and integrating gender concept acquisition ence and especially from awareness-raising activity as a group, proved to be the appropriate into communication activities that most campaigns they conducted in Senegal, the approach. Positive feedback from the partici- participants experience/have experienced in trainers ensured that all were able to partici- pants confirmed the fine-tuning of the teach- their professional lives. This makes it easier pate actively. ing materials in line with the needs identified to understand the direct link between gen- during the previous workshops. The contents der issues and real life. Reflecting on simple, DRC: at the request of and with the support of the training course will be used during the taken for granted concepts as well as on ste- of the Katanga Ministry of Agriculture coming months by ONG-VIE within the scope reotypes and prejudices is indispensable. In early September, the second training of its project ‘Creation of radio listeners’ clubs course was set up in Lubumbashi, Katanga for empowerment and leadership among rural – As far as content is concerned, the use of Province, in cooperation with REFED-Katanga, women and young people in literacy centres’. examples and case studies proved extremely Dimitra’s partner there, and the Provincial (see page 7). useful. The composition of the groups has Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Stock- breeding and Rural Development. Most of the participants worked for the provincial Minis- try of Agriculture but the national ministries for Gender, Agriculture and Rural Develop- ment also participated, each sending two par- ticipants. Provincial Minister Mumba Gama demonstrated his interest in the workshop by opening the course and supplying staff and equipment to help out with the organisation.

The programme was adapted so that the par- ticipants could acquire basic gender approach and analysis skills through the step-by-step creation of a communication activity, such as a video forum or a series of radio announce- ments on issues they work on every day. It is very important to adapt the content to the local context.

Dimitra

© The training is anchored in practice, using the concrete experiences of participants, notably by working on existing awareness-raising campaigns. The use of examples and case studies proved extremely useful. Dimitra Newsletter © Alice Jones ©

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Communicating gender a significant influence on the synergies, for development: some basic principles and therefore the content, of the training courses. The dynamic varies widely accor- ding to area of expertise, especially when ‘Communicating gender for development’ point of access to economic activities without the participant is specialised in the areas of is based on the premise that society should the means to engage in them for lack of basic communication or of gender. Finding the move towards equality between men and knowledge, resources and opportunities to right balance between communication and women. Thus, while removing discrimina- make oneself heard? Gender equality can gender was a challenge faced during each of tion and ensuring respect for the basic rights only be sought when all three dimensions are the training sessions. of all, the aim is for control of and equal taken into account as a single, indivisible unit access to: in which each component is of equal impor- – Concerning logistics and organisation, it – basic services, infrastructures, education tance. is crucial to have two trainers (a man and a and health to support social empowerment; woman) to fully take into account the sensi- – productive resources and technology, in This is why taking the gender dimension into tivities and viewpoints of both the men and particular land and agricultural financing account in a communication activity requires women attending the training course. It is and diversification of tools and technolo- that the interests, problems, experiences and also very important to create a good group gies (in particular loans and incentives), to priorities of both women and men be con- dynamic. Ideally, the training courses should promote economic empowerment; sidered and discussed. This does not mean be residential and specific activities should – negotiating platforms, information and taking a biased approach in which only the be organised (games, events, outings) to opportunities for communication, as well interests of women are taken into considera- foster this dynamic. It is useful to target as decision-making bodies, to encourage tion. On the contrary, sensitivity to different those working in the field. political empowerment. points of view is required to work together. In the course of each workshop, the Dimitra These three dimensions (social, economic What is needed is a specific mindset, a criti- team was surprised at the participants’ level of and political) are indissociable and cannot cal approach and a commitment to equality. commitment beyond the training course. It is be treated separately. What use would it be to In practice, it means wearing ‘gender spec- therefore particularly important to give partici- encourage education while restricting access tacles’ to render ‘forgotten’ or ‘concealed’ pants the opportunity to think of the post-train- to a profession or the rights inherent to full dimensions. ing period and how their new skills will translate citizenship? Conversely, what would be the into their professional activity. The commitment displayed by individuals and groups shows just how timely the development of the Dimitra to communicate gender, it is crucial to: training module is and provides invaluable indi- – know and understand the context; – find the people who are “missing” from cators for evaluation and follow-up. – take several viewpoints, opinions and your communication activity; The future: training courses and the statements into account during the com- – be aware of stereotypes and prejudices, publication of a teaching guide munication action: those of women and especially sexist ones, that everyone holds, men and not only those who have authority the trainers included; The interest shown by the authorities and and power; – demonstrate the effects of gender relations; by development actors also augurs well for the – name all interested parties. The French – conduct research with experts and above future. Dimitra is already considering coopera- tion with several ministries so that the training practice of using the masculine plural to all with field workers to better understand courses can be replicated on a larger scale. refer to mixed groups should be discarded; their specific needs.

In the coming months, within the scope of other projects by FAO and international organi- sations, Dimitra will be able to implement and adjust the module in the coming months, nota- bly by working with community radio staff.

As with all its activities, Dimitra capitalises on its achievements and experiences. Over the next few months, the training team and Dimitra will be developing a guide to be used as a reference on the subject of gender and communication in rural areas. The content will include the key components of the training courses so that others can use them, whether for training or other development activities.

h For more information on the training courses,

please contact the Dimitra team: November 2009 [email protected]

Taking the gender dimension into account in a communication activity requires that the interests, problems, experiences and priorities of both women and men be considered and discussed. © Dimitra ©

{ 5 fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG New community radio listeners’ clubs in Katanga

South Kivu’s community radio listeners’ clubs have sprouted new clubs in Katanga: Welcome to the clubs KIKA in Kapolowe, and TUMU and TUJI in Kasumbalesa!

Katanga: access to information and Over the following months, the participants ested persons. The club members performed a communication is difficult passed on to others what they had learned dur- number of sketches to demonstrate the prob- Like access to goods and services, access ing the workshops. This ultimately led to the lems they regularly face (HIV/AIDS, corrup- to information and communication is a pre- creation in July 2009 of several radio listen- tion, ignorance, lack of access to information, requisite for development. However, this is ers’ clubs, one in Kapolowe, near the town of nutrition, etc). Being organised in groups has particularly difficult for the rural population Likasi, and two in Kasumbalesa, next to the greatly helped the population. The support of Katanga, especially the women. The sheer Zambian border. of the Kapolowe Mission, notably by provid- size of the province, the dilapidated or non- ing them with a meeting place, also is a major existent transport infrastructure, the fact that An enthusiastic reception advantage for the success of their activities. there is little or no access to information and The KIKA listeners’ club in Kapolowe was communication tools and equipment, and the the first to be officially launched on 20 July Involvement and support by local many handicaps inherent to the traditional sta- 2009. It is linked to RCK-Likasi (Katanga Com- authorities tus of women are only a few of the obstacles munity Radio Station of Likasi). The official A few days later, the TUJI radio listeners’ they face. ceremony was presided over by the representa- club in Kasumbalesa (Wisky village) was also tive of the Provincial Minister of Agriculture, officially opened. Once more, the ceremony Yet access to information and the opportunity Fisheries, Stockbreeding and Rural Devel- was attended by representatives from the Min- to communicate on concrete subjects relat- opment, in the presence of the local and istry, FAO, Dimitra, REFED-Katanga and GTZ ing to daily life help to boost skills and self- traditional authorities, FAO, Dimitra, REFED- Health, as well as a large and lively crowd. Local confidence and encourage economic, political Katanga, GTZ Health, and many other inter- authorities such as the Chef de Cité (Urban Area and social empowerment. They are the factors Chief ) and the Kombo traditional chief made that promote good local governance and are KIKA is the acronym of Kibulumo Kya speeches to show how deeply – as in Kapolowe the conditions for genuine participation and Kapolowe . This means ‘the cry of the lion’ – they were involved in the radio listeners’ club citizenship. in the local Kisanga language. According to process, and how well they understood that the the history of the town of Kapolowe, the first work of a community needs to be supported Radio listeners’ clubs created in Katanga Europeans were told that there was a lion hid- by both men and women, in a spirit of open- The training and awareness-raising of ing on the hill. The Europeans asked “Where is mindedness and equality. pre vious ly identified community leaders, the lion (kapolo we)?” – kapolo meaning ‘lion’ extension workers of grassroots development At the two ceremonies, the FAO office in and we ‘where is’. The club chose this name to organisations and community radio collabo- Lubumbashi donated some market-gardening rators and journalists was the main goal of refer to something that attracts the attention of kits to the members of the radio listeners’ two workshops organised by Dimitra with the all. The club logo is a drummer with his drum clubs – food safety being one of the chief con- support of GTZ Health and SAMWAKI, a pre- standing next to a stream. The drum was used cerns of these clubs – to support and encour- cursor in this domain in South Kivu. Gender by the ancestors to announce important news to age their activities. issues, mobilisation, lobbying on social issues the villagers. and participatory communication were at the Tuungane Mukono, TUMU for short, means Since then, the TUMU radio listeners’ club in heart of both workshops, which took place in ‘Unite’ or ‘Union’ in Swahili. This union is sym- Kasumbalesa (Carrière village) has also been founded. The two clubs in Kasumbalesa are Lubumbashi in November 2008. (For further bolised by an outstretched hand (mukono). details, see Dimitra Newsletter, Issue 16, May very active and highly involved with the Para- 2009, pages 4-5) TUJI, for Tujikaze, means ‘Let’s do our doxe and Vespera community radio stations, utmost!”. which operate in Kasumbalesa. The journalists from these radio stations attended the ‘Com- municating gender for development’ training course which Dimitra and the Provincial Min- istry of Agriculture organised in Lubumbashi in September (see pages 4-5), and have already put what they learned there to very good use. To be continued…

The ‘Radio Listeners’ Clubs in Katanga’ project is implemented by REFED-Katanga, with the support of Dimitra, GTZ Health ( Katanga) and the King Baudouin Foundation.

h For more information, contact: REFED-Katanga, Réseau Femme et Développement Bernadette M. Kapend, Coordinator Avenue Likasi n° 491, Bâtiment Grand Labo Lubumbashi (Katanga) Democratic Republic of Congo Tel: +243 81 8152771 © Dimitra © Dimitra Newsletter E-mail: [email protected] 6 } GfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGf Niger – Community radio listeners’ clubs to reinforce women’s leadership

By combining literacy and communication Dimitra aims to promote women’s leadership in Niger, without marginalising men, using literacy centres and community radio stations as tools. This project is also the result of an efficient partnership between local, bilateral and multilateral organisations.

“It’s such a thrill to hear to yourself speaking on During their exchanges and the radio, especially when you used to think that discussions, the women the voices you heard weren’t those of real people.” are supported by a radio Djélika Doudou is taking part in community extension worker, a literacy extension work in the village of Zindigori, trainer or a resource person. west of Téra. She is a member of a radio lis- Together, they produce a sum- teners’ club and thus a direct beneficiary of a mary of their discussions. If pilot project jointly organised by Dimitra and the subject discussed is of ONG-VIE Kande Ni Bayra: “Creating radio lis- interest beyond the village, teners’ clubs for empowerment and leadership among it is recorded and broadcast rural women and young people through literacy by the community radio sta- centres”. tion. The women sometimes invite the men to share their The radio, a “palaver tree” for rural women opinions. To further broaden One moonlit evening, an extension worker their scope, the village’s three played back a recording in Zindigori. She had radio listeners’ clubs meet previously interviewed and recorded women from time to time and when it on issues which affected them. Many villagers, is warranted, these exchanges both women and men, came to listen, and as are broadcast on the radio. they looked on with surprise and enthusiasm, the extension worker explained the potential The debates and discussions of this new form of information-sharing which between the women are used, uses both radio and literacy centre as its tools. discussed, broadcast and lis- This was the beginning of the radio listeners’ tened to by fellow-women in club for the empowerment of the women of neighbouring villages. Little Zindigori. The other partner clubs of the com- by little, the women’s groups munity radio station in Téra were started in the are interacting and exchang- same way. ing views and rural women’s © ONG-VIE © leadership is strengthening and developing. Each listeners’ club has a solar-powered and wind-up The extension worker in charge of supporting The responsiveness of the women leaders is a radio. The club members listen to the radio programmes rural women goes regularly to the village. Her tribute to the project’s obvious potential. Long together before gathering in the literacy centres to aim: to encourage women to speak up on the silent, rural women are demonstrating their discuss them freely and without taboo. airwaves. Community radio stations are a new ability to show independence and make their form of “palaver tree” for rural women who, voices heard. for the longest time, were without a voice. and improve their living conditions and lead- Men want radio listeners’ clubs of their own ership. The two-year project was started in July 2009. In some villages, mixed-gender groups are It covers the broadcast areas of nine commu- not an option for the immediate future. In The workshop was financed by the Swiss nity radio stations in the Tillabéri and Dosso such cases, men form their own radio listen- Cooperation, Belgian Technical Cooperation regions. ers’ clubs, in partnership with the women’s (BTC), Canadian Cooperation, UNFPA and clubs. This is important if women are not to be FAO/ Dimitra. Since then, UNDP and UNIFEM Radio and literacy to strengthen leadership marginalised and men are to be involved in the have come on board and together they have Three radio listeners’ clubs have been process. decided to take this initiative further. ONG-VIE created in each of the 10 beneficiary villages. is in charge of the project’s implementation. Each club has a solar-powered and wind-up The result of a multiple partnership radio and a membership of interested women The radio listeners’ club project is the and young people. A woman is appointed to result of a sub-regional workshop organised h For more information, contact: chair the club. The women and young people by Dimitra and ONG-VIE Kande Ni Bayra in ONG-VIE Kande Ni Bayra listen to the radio programmes and gather in December 2006: “Literacy of rural women as a M. Ali Abdoulaye the literacy centre to discuss them and improve factor in promoting themselves, their families and B.P. 349 November 2009 each other’s understanding. They analyse the education of girls”. This encounter empha- Niamey, Niger many subjects and discuss them freely: health, sised the potential impact of creating synergies Tél : +227 20 752560 – Tél/Fax : +227 20 755448 education, livestock and crop farming, cook- between literacy centres and community radio E-mail : [email protected] ing recipes, decentralisation, citizenship, the stations. The idea was to ensure appropriate culture of peace, and so on. access to information and communication in This article was also published by UNDP Niger in order to build the capacities of rural women Issue 16 of the journal “Dai Dai Ci”.

{ 7 fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG From experience to knowledge sharing: the capitalisation of good practices for rural organisations in West Africa

The aim of the ‘Capitalisation of Good Prac- of agricultural inputs are identified; ods of communication are used for exchange tices to Support Agricultural Production and – Documentation: information is collected to and debate: exchange visits; workshops; fairs Food Security’ project is to increase, in an equal enable the identified material to be described and events dedicated to exchanges; community manner for all, the ability of women and men and illustrated using a variety of sources radio stations; written, audio, video and pho- producers to access agricultural inputs of the (farmers’ organisations, libraries, research tographic material; electronic and phone net- right quality, in the right place and at the right centres, etc.); works and many more. time, and to use them rationally and ecologi- – The transformation (packaging) of the cally by improving knowledge management practices into a wide range of materials that The approach, the established partnerships in this area. In this case, ‘agricultural inputs’ can be used by the target audience, includ- and the exchange system are managed in such means seeds, fertilisers, phytosanitary prod- ing: brochures, manuals, songs, radio pro- a way as to integrate gender issues at all stages ucts and small agricultural implements. The grammes, films, theatre, video, and so on; of the project. The objective of all the activities scope of this project is regional and its activi- – Practices and experiences are exchanged is to promote effective, fair and sustainable ties take place in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and and disseminated through channels suited development, especially in terms of production Senegal. In Niger, the Capitalisation project to rural environments, using methods that and of access to and control of information and operates in close cooperation with the ‘Inten- enable women and men producers to put knowledge. sification de l’Agriculture par le Renforcement this knowledge to good use; des Boutiques d’Intrants Coopératives’ project – Finally, appropriation: this enables the Existing capitalisation initiatives (IARBIC – Intensification of Agriculture by newly acquired knowledge to be put into The term ‘capitalisation’ is often used to means of Cooperative Input Shops). practice, by adopting it, adapting it to con- describe such activities and the resulting text and enriching it. material. However, the multi-stage capitalisa- To achieve its goal, the project uses a capitalisa- tion process described above and its potential tion-based approach that takes gender equal- To put this approach into practice, the Capi- positive impact are often unfamiliar. This ity into account and in which experiences with talisation project involves many actors: rural can be explained by the scarcity of appropri- regard to inputs and knowledge management are grassroots groups, the national platforms of packaged so that they can be acquired by women farmers’ organisations, State technical serv- and men producers. ices, NGOs, the media and communication The ‘Capitalisation of Good Practices to agencies, research facilities and universities, Support Agricultural Production and Food How does capitalisation work? as well as development projects and pro- Security’ project is one of the components of Capitalisation is a complex process involv- grammes. the partnership between FAO and Belgium ing information and communication manage- on ‘Knowledge Management and Gender’. ment, and includes the following stages: The project sets up partnerships with all these This programme covers four West African actors to implement training, technical sup- – Identification: innovative practices and rele- port, methodological support and research countries (Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and vant information and knowledge in the area action programmes. Several types and meth- Senegal) and has four components: š ‘Hortivar’ and the ‘Rural Finance Learning Centre’ constitute the technical components of the project and cover horticultural practices and warrantage (see Dimitra Newsletter, Issues 15 & 16). š ‘ Dimitra’ and the ‘Capitalisation’ project are the methodological components. They use a participatory approach to increase the exchange of knowledge in the target countries and systematic integration of gender issues by improving information and communication management. This programme works in synergy with other FAO regional initiatives such as Water for Africa, the Farmer Field Schools, the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices, and its support for national food security programmes. © FAO/Projet Capitalisation FAO/Projet ©

Elementary stages in the practice of capitalisation: transformation (packaging) of the practices into a wide range of materials adapted for the target audience, and exchange and dissemination of these practices and experiences using methods that enable good use of this knowledge. Dimitra Newsletter

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ately packaged materials and a lack of train- To ensure that organisa- ing courses intended for West African rural tions supporting rural organisations. society accept this new role, the Capitalisa- In the two countries in which the Capitalisa- tion project will set up tion project began its activities in 2009 (Niger ‘action-trainings’. The

and Burkina Faso), there are an increasing subject of these training Capitalisation FAO/Projet © number of initiatives to document and dis- courses will be selected seminate innovative practices and knowledge according to the strate- in the area of agricultural development. These gic interest in capitalisation of the organisa- influenced and changed by the results of capi- are implemented by projects and organisa- tion in question and the lessons that may be talisation? tions in rural areas wanting to render their learned by other organisations participating in activities more known and visible. They get the exchanges. The action-training experiences will consti- various types of material (articles, informa- tute a foundation for the capitalisation of good tion sheets, brochures, booklets, videos, etc.) The creation of this action-training scheme practices in rural areas by the partner organisa- produced by communicators and journalists requires that the capitalisation processes of tions involved. who sometimes work for NGOs (as commu- partner organisations be analysed. Surveys and nication officers or information officers), but interviews to do exactly this are currently under rarely for farmers’ organisations or develop- way. This analysis will provide an opportunity h For more information, contact ment projects. to determine the practical form of the training Gilles Mersadier in Niger: courses best suited to the working methods of [email protected] or To encourage actors to express themselves even these organisations. Sophie Treinen at FAO headquarters: when they are not communication specialists, [email protected] “writing workshops” are occasionally organ- The knowledge acquired during the action- ised by NGOs and projects to utilise and dis- training courses should enable extension h To access documentation in French on the seminate field experience. For instance, such workers to answer the following questions: capitalisation of experiences, go to workshops may be intended for the leaders of Why capitalise? What do we capitalise on? How www.delicious.com/gestionconnaissancesgenre/ farmers’ organisations, who are then able to do we organise capitalisation? How do we pro- capitalisation describe their experiences and share them with duce content? How do we produce materials? their groups. They may also be organised for How are the results of capitalisation dissemi- members of a thematic network, or the various nated and exchanged? How can behaviours be beneficiaries of a development project, who gather to exchange practices.

Training of capitalisation extension workers for an appropriation of the approach To boost the capitalisation process in its partner organisations, the project plans to pro- mote the training of ‘capitalisation extension workers’. The role of these extension workers will be to: – disseminate the approach within their own organisations and to their financial partners and their members, by explaining the value of capitalisation, its stages, its human and financial cost, and above all its benefits; – implement capitalisation themselves or sup- port its implementation by using a variety of tools, methods and materials appropriate to their requirements. November 2009 The Capitalisation project aims to improve the access of women and men producers to agricultural inputs of the right quality, in the right place and at the right time, and to use them rationally and ecologically through improved knowledge management. Capitalisation FAO/Projet © { 9 fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG AfricaAdapt: sharing knowledge to adapt to climate change

Climate change is a threat to the daily lives of African communities and will undoubtedly slow down the continent’s development. A great deal of knowledge and many useful lessons have been learned in the field. Nevertheless, knowledge sharing and capitalisation between the various actors working on the issue remain limited. The AfricaAdapt network seeks to respond to this challenge and share knowledge on adaptation to climate change in an innovative and targeted manner.

of connecting networks and peo- exchanges on specific issues. AfricaAdapt has ple, thus enabling them to share developed a guide to enable researchers to experiences and learn from one communicate in a simple and efficient manner. another. Knowledge sharing also requires that a climate The purpose of the AfricaAdapt net- of trust be created between the various actors. work is to meet this challenge and However, cooperation between political deci- share knowledge on adaptation to sion-makers, journalists and researchers has climate change in an innovative not yet been achieved and is a major obsta- and targeted manner. Its action cle to the sensitisation of the population and is based on the use of ICTs: text informed decision-making. message alerts, RSS feeds, micro- blogging on Twitter, and so on. The protection of local know-how has raised The network also uses more tradi- many issues. How can this know-how be docu- tional communication tools such mented without dispossessing local communi- as meetings between actors in the ties of their heritage? Although the network’s field, and places great emphasis on approach is to document local knowledge, the generation of knowledge prod- it is also to contribute new knowledge which © AfricaAdapt © ucts adapted to the specific needs enriches the community and reinforces current of decision-makers, researchers, adaptation strategies. An improvement in knowledge sharing would NGOs and community -based organisations. enable local communities to exchange prac- The AfricaAdapt network’s goal is to enhance tices for adaptation to climate change with one One of AfricaAdapt’s key ambitions is to docu- and disseminate African know-how, and another and increase their resilience. It must ment local experiences and encourage inter- will enable a comprehensive list of experts in be said that the diversity of the actors involved community communication. To this end, Africa to be drawn up in such diverse areas as (political decision-makers, media, research partnerships with community radio stations energy, water, forestry, food security, and so institutes, NGOs, etc.) and language barri- have been set up to create programmes in local on. It encourages the sharing of experiences to ers do not make communication any easier. languages, with a view to facilitating under- enable actors concerned by climate change to Moreover, the problems generated by illiteracy, standing of climate change at community level. learn from one other. The network’s website access to information and the marginalisation Marginalised groups such as women, the disa- enables members to share their experience by of women are sizeable obstacles to knowledge bled and the illiterate are especially targeted, to creating a customised profile. New functions sharing. ensure the widest possible participation in the will shortly enable users to interact with one communication process. With the same goal other and exchange their successes, failures A number of convincing experiences have in mind, the AfricaAdapt Innovation Fund, and the challenges they face. shown that knowledge sharing and coopera- which was launched in June 2009, encourages tion between actors contribute to improving innovative knowledge sharing initiatives by the livelihoods of communities. For instance, local communities. A first call for applicants h For more information, contact: the IPACC (Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co- generated 500 applications, 10 of which were www.africa-adapt.net ordinating Committee) has recently initiated selected for funding. use of GPS technology and local know-how to h Or contact: assess the vulnerability of a nomadic hunter The challenges of knowledge sharing AfricaAdapt Secretariat community in South Africa. Although many actors are showing a definite Institute of Development Studies interest in knowledge sharing, this remains University of Sussex AfricaAdapt: using an integrated approach hampered by the English/French language Brighton BN1 9RE, United Kingdom to reach out to marginalised communities divide in Africa. Many researchers have no Tel: +44 1273 876681 The AfricaAdapt network was started in access to information generated in another E-mail: [email protected] 2008 and is the result of cooperation between language and can share their results with only ENDA Third World in Senegal, the Forum one language community. for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) h Article contributed by in Ghana, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Moreover, researchers are sometimes unwill- Binetou Diagne, Knowledge Sharing Officer Applications Centre (ICPAC) in Kenya and the ing to communicate other than by publishing ENDA-Energie Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in the their final results in scientific publications. 54, rue Carnot United Kingdom. The network is managed by However, continuous communication at each BP 3370, Dakar, Senegal four knowledge sharing coordinators (one stage of a project would improve the qual- E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +221 33 8222496 – Fax: +221 33 8217595

Dimitra Newsletter from each organisation), who are in charge ity of knowledge sharing and facilitate peer

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Radio Bubusa FM, the voice of rural women

Since January 2008, Radio Bubusa has been broadcasting to South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A community radio station operated by and for rural women, Radio Bubusa has been acknowledged both locally and abroad for the quality of its work.

SAMWAKI is the organisation at the root of ticular HIV/AIDS – and agricul- this success. Since 2002, this Congolese NGO ture. The mere fact of bringing has been helping to increase the autonomy of up certain issues had a positive the women of South Kivu and improve their effect on the situation. Accord- access to information. An acronym of Sauti ing to SAMWAKI, the members ya Mwanamke Kijijini, SAMWAKI means ‘The of community listeners’ clubs Voice of Rural Women’. have been able to obtain useful information on sensitive and SAMWAKI proved itself early and gained occasionally taboo subjects,

the confidence of donor agencies – the Ger- to which neither the men nor © ALIN man Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ the women had formerly had Health), the Food and Agriculture Organisa- any access, such as AIDS and tion of the United Nations (FAO- Dimitra), the sexual violence. World Association for Christian Communica- tion (WACC), etc. – as it genuinely focuses on SAMWAKI now plans to local communities and uses a participatory increase the synergy between communication methodology. the different community radio

listeners’ clubs by setting up Dimitra © SAMWAKI works mainly in the areas of health, a more efficient communi- food safety, access to information, gender and cation system which takes into account the number of consultations to ensure that the human rights. many obstacles to the exchange of information project would meet the needs of communi- between rural clubs, which are often isolated ties and make a genuine contribution to rural Community listeners’ clubs and located in a post-conflict environment. development and the improvement of the sta- To reduce the isolation of rural communi- tus of women. In the course of this process, ties, in particular of women, and improve their Radio Bubusa FM a management structure, key topics and the access to information, SAMWAKI decided to To ensure that the voice of rural popula- languages to be used were identified with the support the creation of community radio lis- tions is heard by even more people, SAMWAKI communities. The women in the community teners’ clubs. The first of these were created decided to start a radio station. Although part- radio listeners’ clubs even help prepare and in 2005. The organisation currently supports nerships had been set up with local stations, produce the broadcasts in cooperation with the running of nine community radio listeners’ some clubs were not within the coverage area of Radio Bubusa and the other partner stations. clubs in the eight territories of the province of one of these stations. The idea of extending the Indeed, SAMWAKI intends to build the capaci- South Kivu, some of which have several hun- participative dynamic beyond the radio listen- ties of the club members and radio stations in dred members. ers’ clubs by creating a radio station for women this area. and staffed by women emerged, and Radio These are not just ‘listeners’ clubs’ or ‘fan Bubusa FM was born in early March 2008. Radio Bubusa has become a forum for the clubs’ that tune in to a single programme sharing of experiences and good practices or radio station, but citizens’ groups which by and for women and girls. Its main objec- enable their members to share their concerns In the Mashi language, ‘bubusa’ tive is to improve their living conditions, and and needs, acquire otherwise unobtainable is a rallying call used by women ultimately those of their families and commu- information and take constructive action on nities. The radio station is also intended as a the basis of jointly identified solutions. The to remind villagers of an tool for breaking the silence on the inequali- clubs include both men and women and are ties which affect rural women, and helping sensitised to gender issues. appointment, to go to the fields, improve their situation. In particular, this gather firewood, draw water or requires the forging of new partnerships with Exchanges between groups are often based on development actors to meet the many chal- radio programmes, which are listened to on attend a wedding. lenges encountered. solar-powered and wind-up radios distributed by Dimitra, with the support of the King Bau- douin Foundation of Belgium. There are two Radio Bubusa FM is based in Mugogo, approx- h For more information, contact: approaches to listening: individual members imately 30 kilometres from the city of Bukavu, Adeline Nsimire, Coordinator can take a radio home, but, whenever possible, and can in theory be heard within a 250-km SAMWAKI, Sauti ya Mwanamke Kijijini men and women members come together and radius. It broadcasts programmes in Mashi, 161/00 Av. Patrice F. Lumumba, Commune

listen as a group. This latter approach stimu- French and Swahili on subjects relating to d’Ibanda November 2009 lates debate, solution-seeking and the imple- health, violence against women, AIDS and Bukavu, South Kivu mentation of concrete actions. agriculture. Democratic Republic of Congo Tel: +243 81 4740077 The first issues discussed by these community The creation of the radio station is part of a E-mail: [email protected] radio listeners’ clubs related to health – in par- long-term process. SAMWAKI organised a

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series women’s portraits For the emancipation of the women of Niger djermakoye maidanda hadjia maïmouna, president of doubani ngo, niger

Mrs Djermakoye is the wife of the traditional Chief Djermakoye of the Dosso region in Niger, but above all a woman committed to improving the status of the women of her country. Among her many activities, she is the President of the NGO Doubani, which works for the promotion of women in Niger.

Could you tell us something about your secretary for external affairs because I knew a How has the NGO developed since that time? background? lot of people. We then founded an organisation We have undertaken many activities and have I am a teacher by profession. I studied at the of men and women, Union pour le Développement had several partners, including the Belgian Zinder teacher training college, but actu- Durable (UDD – Union for Sustainable Devel- Technical Cooperation (BTC), which has been ally trained for several jobs: I even worked in opment), where I was in charge of promoting our partner in a major project since 2003. For school TV, then at the experimental stage in women in the Tillabéry region. Someone then this project, we are active in 48 villages in two Niger and Africa. I worked for a year as a tele- told me that I shouldn’t be taking orders from (out of five) departments of the Dosso region. vision presenter but I had to give it up when anyone, that I should have my own NGO as I This means we reach out to around 13,000 I married. So I went back to primary teach- was someone people listened to and had many women. In each village, we work with both ing. At the same time, I was training with a contacts. men and women, and we ask what their prob- view to opening my own kindergarten, which lems are. This is the basis on which projects was what I really wanted to do. I was then can be set up. We have appointed local exten- appointed head teacher of the Niger Red Cross Over time, I’ve become sion workers, who work with the villagers and kindergarten before becoming a kindergarten “ build their capacities in three areas: organi- inspector in Niamey. I stayed in that job from a woman who listens sation, training and awareness-raising. The 1977 to 1985. „ first phase of the project is complete and we to everyone! are preparing for the next phase, which will After that, I was appointed librarian in a high begin in January 2010. school. This gave me an opportunity to read We founded Doubani, the Association féminine and get to know many writers. I also had con- pour la Promotion et l’Education de la Femme (Wom- What does Doubani do? tact with many teachers and students. In fact, en’s organisation for the promotion and educa- We promote women, which means working I became a women who listened to everyone! tion of women), in 1998. I was supported by the in many areas. Doubani raises awareness with People would ask me to solve problems and school where I worked, as all the teachers were regard to health, focusing on AIDS, TB and even resolve conflicts, skills I still use in the founding members. They told me that they did malaria, but we also operate in microfinance – field today. this to support me, so that I could help people. loans to women – and education. I retired in March 2000 and began to devote my In 1993, when I was still working for the school, time to running Doubani. As it happened, my We also address environmental issues. Our I founded the Association nigérienne des éducatrices husband was elected provincial chief at that first activity with the Global Environment Faci- pour le développement (ANED – Association of time, so we returned to Dosso and transferred lity (GEF) was to promote the use of butane Female Educators for Development in Niger) the organisation’s headquarters there. This gas in households. The forests have been with other female teachers. I was appointed improved our access to rural communities. destroyed and there is almost no wood left. If people use gas, this cuts the use of wood and spares the bush. With two other NGOs, we set out with 500 gas cylinders to start up the project. Within a year, we had reached 1,600 households with the help of a revolving fund. Now, Doubani alone has reached out to over 2,500 households. We have also worked to promote the use of coal. Also, wherever we have projects under way, we encourage the local inhabitants to plant nurseries in order to replenish the forests. People are quite happy to do this, but you need to take the time to explain.

Today I’m happy, as I believe Doubani is achiev- ing its goal, which is to promote women. This has even been acknowledged by the competent ministry. In Dosso, Doubani is now inevitably

Doubani works for the promotion of women in numerous areas – awareness-raising © ONG Doubani © Dimitra Newsletter on health issues, microfinance, education, environmental issues, etc. 12 } GfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGf © Dimitra ©

“ It’s stuck in my head now: my place is not in the back rows. involved in and has become a major player in Some of the women, especially in the cities, grassroots mobilisation. also didn’t like what I was doing. It was rural I have to be in the front! That’s women who were my main source of support, „ What about your own life? and it was thanks to them that I carried on. where people can hear you! What were the challenges you encountered? They would travel for miles to find me and ask As the chief’s wife in Dosso, I came up against for support. I took the side of those in need. Another thing: wherever I go, I talk, talk and a great deal of opposition. Some people believe talk. I had a friend, the chairwoman of ANED, that the chief’s wife should stay in her palace There’s also a problem at the political level. who said, “When we go to meetings, we go to in accordance with tradition, and not leave Politicians believe that I can challenge them the front row and sit there”. This eventually the home. However, chiefs are educated these politically because I have the support of the stuck and I understood that my place was not days and things have changed. When I mar- women. Maybe they’re scared. As for me, no, in the back rows. I had to be in the front. That’s ried, I was already popular and had experience I’m honestly not interested. I am against cer- where people can hear you! the NGO sector. After I settled in Dosso, my tain political practices that place personal umbrella organisation, Coordination Non- interest above the common good. I often say: Never underestimate yourself. Gouver nementale et Associations Féminines Public speaking is difficult at first, but even if Nigériennes (CONGAFEN – Non-Governmen- Above all, I must say that it’s my good fortune you’re not very fluent you have to try. If you do tal Coordination and Women’s Associations to be married to a highly intelligent man. He’s it once or twice, you’ll forge ahead and people in Niger) supported me, convened the women Niger’s top pharmacist and founded the Phar- won’t try to stop you after that. and said, “Here’s someone, make the most of maceuticals Agency of Niger and the so-called her talent!” I was asked to open a new office, “people’s pharmacies”. In his view, women, Don’t be afraid of men, you need to work and I agreed. like men, should take part in development, and with them. At first they might try to push you he finds it’s quite normal that I should work. around, but if you tell them that “we’re all in Regarding the opposition, the chiefs were the He’s always supported me. this together”, they’ll understand that we can most reluctant, as they would watch me and find solutions jointly. tell themselves this would have a bad influence What would you say to other women who on the women. However, I knew some of them would like to become involved in organisations h To contact Mrs Djermakoye and/or Doubani: from my days in Niamey with CONGAFEN. or citizenship actions? AFPEF-DOUBANI, Association Féminine November 2009 I asked them, “But didn’t we work together in Because I kept on explaining, I now have a very pour la Promotion et l’Education de la Femme Niamey? Now that I’m one of you, why don’t good relationship with the chiefs. They meet B.P. 206 you want me to continue the work?” That made in our palace. I give them a meal, and advice Dosso, Niger some of them change their minds. if they ask for it! Patience is what has made me Tél : +227 96887038 one of Dosso’s key women leaders. E-mail: [email protected]

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Micro-gardens – sources of vitamins and, potentially, income

Micro-gardens are small gardens in which a wide range of food plants can be grown on a small area and with little water. They enable poor families to eat nutritious vegetables every day, allowing them to satisfy their vitamin, essential-mineral and vegetable-protein needs.

FAO makes micro-gardens available to improve rice husks, coarse sand, the food and nutritional security of poor people laterite, etc. If the sub- who live in cities and have little or no access to strates are not available, land. Their diet is generally unvaried, causing there is a third option, vitamin deficiencies that particularly affect the which is to grow the veg- health of women and children. Micro-gardens etables floating on water are a production tool that gives the economi- enriched with soluble cally disadvantaged access to high-quality fertiliser. fresh vegetables. The micro- garden produce provides a nutritious supplement to food Micro-gardens have aid programmes and school canteen menus. al ready been adopted Micro-garden initiatives are launched and successfully in several maintained as part of aid efforts for the sus- Central and South Amer- tainable productivity of poor families. ican countries. More recently, they have also

With a small plot of land (1 m2) and 1-3 litres been successfully intro- Wilfried Baudoin © of water per day, a family can grow a wide range duced in a number of of vegetables and root and tuber crops, such African pilot countries as cabbage, lettuce, jute, parsley, amaranth, such as Senegal, Gabon, Microgardens are particularly popular with women. The main reason is that the hibiscus (karkade or bissap), basil, carrots, Namibia and Rwanda. physical labour required is considerably less than for conventional farming. potatoes, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, chil- Dakar is frequently men- lies and aubergines. tioned in this context, as the city has introduced a micro-garden pro- considerably less than with conventional farm- Technically speaking, micro-gardens can take gramme supported by the city of Milan (Italy) ing. The system also enables crops to be grown different forms. The first option is to use the as part of a twinning programme between the with very little water – water often being scarce, fertile soil available around the home, protect cities and with the support of a fund financed difficult to access and expensive in the poorer it against erosion and fertilise it with compost by a ‘micro-garden association’. areas of cities in developing countries. from recycled organic household waste. The second option, when suitable land is not avail- It is very encouraging to see how quickly poor Micro-gardens enable poor families to eat able, is to use a container or cultivation table families master this type of cultivation. Micro- nutritious vegetables every day and satisfy with garden soil or a substrate made from local gardens are particularly popular with women, their vitamin, essential-mineral and vegetable- materials such as peanut shells, coconut fibre, mainly because the physical labour required is protein requirements. Family micro-gardens can also develop into small commercial units for sale or barter between neighbouring fami- lies, generating a modest income that women then use to improve their families’ well-being.

The launch and follow-up of a micro-garden operation in a neighbourhood or school are usually performed by a Training and Demon- stration Centre.

Article by Wilfried Baudoin, FAO Consultant

h For more information, contact: Alison Hodder FAO – Horticultural Crops Group Plant Production and Protection Division, AGP Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy E-mail: [email protected] © Wilfried Baudoin © Dimitra Newsletter

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The status of women and reform in Morocco

Morocco is currently in the midst of an unprecedented movement for the promotion of women’s rights. A number of strategies and programmes aimed at strengthening the principles of gender equality and equity are being implemented by the government or civil society.

Legal reforms In the area of legislation, Morocco rati- fied the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1993 and has now lifted its res- ervations concerning this Convention 1 . This happened following a number of reforms, including amendments to the Moroccan Fam- ily Code, Nationality Code, Labour Code and Criminal Code, which rendered the reserva- tions baseless.

One of the most important aspects of the Fam-

ily Code reform was the acknowledgement of AMSED © the place of women in society as individuals in their own right. Moroccan women now have AMSED works for the gender aspect to be taken into equal responsibility for the family, on a par account, notably for a better appreciation of the role of with men. Moreover, should the relationship women and the improvement of their status in society. be dissolved, the new Code specifies that she is It focuses on rural women in particular, who suffer even entitled to a share of the property accumulated greater inequalities than their urban counterparts. during the marriage. Gender Reports Since 2002, the Ministry of Finance has been Prior to the reform, women were considered to implementing a project on gender-sensitive be in the custody of men. However, this pro- budgeting with the support of UNIFEM. Fol- the implementation of certain reforms, in par- vision had been overtaken by reality: in 2007, lowing numerous national budget reforms, the ticular the amendments to the Family Code. 20.4% of urban Moroccan households were budget act submitted to the Moroccan Parlia- run by women, against 16% in rural areas 2. ment at the beginning of each year. It is now The mobilisation of civil society By comparison, in 1999 the percentage of accompanied by a ‘Gender Report’ 4 which Moroccan civil society, or at any rate that part women heads of household was 1.2% in cities summarises the endeavours of the various of it which is working for democratic develop- and 2.3% in the countryside 3. This increase, ministries to take into account the interests of ment, is acting as the instigator of reform. It especially in rural areas, is certainly due to eco- both women and men in the budget allocation. is continuing to press for the harmonisation nomic factors. But it also reveals the increased of Morocco’s laws with international law. A access of rural women to the workplace, and Obstacles number of NGOs are conducting awareness- quantifies and acknowledges their participa- These reforms are an attempt by the Moroc- raising campaigns on subjects covered by tion in the family economy and the economy can State both to reconcile domestic and inter- the reforms, especially with illiterate rural of the country. national law and to respond to the aspiration women. They have founded listening centres of Moroccan civil society, for women victims of violence to denounce vio- especially women, for a fair lence and injustice, and lend support to many society. However, the proc- other initiatives. ess is not a smooth one and a number of institutional, eco- For instance, many organisations are conduct- nomic and social obstacles ing awareness-raising campaigns on the new have arisen. Some of these legal codes (Family, Labour, etc.) to promote are due to the country’s inad- harmonisation of the verdicts issued in the vari- equate financial resources ous law courts. Such verdicts are largely subject and others to the mindset of to the discretion of the judges. For example,

some of the people in charge the age of marriage is 18 for both genders, November 2009 (judges, magistrates, admin- but exemptions are frequently granted by the istrative decision-makers, courts. Some judges continue to approve mar- etc.). A number of conserva- riages for 16-year old girls. Indeed, young girls tive trends within Moroccan in rural areas remain the group most affected

© AMSED © society continue to oppose by the practice of early marriage. { 15 f G

Dimitra Newsletter f G 16 } h political challenges. contend withformidableeconomic,socialand suggest alternatives.However, itwillhaveto civil societyshouldsupportthisprocessand intoaccount. Foritspart,Morocco’s taken that theinterestsofMoroccanwomencanbe so towards changingpoliciesandmentalities The reformsasawholearecrucialstep gender strategies. resources allocatedbytheseministriestotheir ing thegenderindicatorsusedandmeagre comments weremade,inparticularconcern- Justice andSocialDevelopment).Anumberof Reports’ offourministries(Health,Education, group’s firstactivitywastostudythe‘Gender to themodernisationofMoroccansociety. The enable AMSEDtocontributemoresignificantly sensitive budgeting.Thisworkinggroupwill ated aworkinggrouptolobbyforgender- and developmentorganisations,AMSEDcre- In May2009,togetherwithsome30feminist urban counterparts. suffer evengreaterinequalitiesthantheir It focusesonruralwomeninparticular, who in and theimprovementoftheirstatus society. for abetterappreciationoftherolewomen intoaccount,notably gender aspecttobetaken process fromitsinception.Itworksforthe Morocco, hasbeenmonitoringthereform ity andDevelopment), Dimitra’s partnerin (AMSED, MoroccanAssociationforSolidar- Marocaine deSolidaritéetDéveloppement cific interestinwomen’sissues,theAssociation The2009reportisavailable(inFrench)at: 4 3 Ibid. “Lafemmemarocaineenchiffres”(MoroccanWomen in 2 King’sSpeechof10December2008ontheoccasion 1 f

www.finances.gov.ma 2008, p.21. Figures), MoroccanHighPlanningCommission, October cerning thismatter. official documentfromtheMoroccangovernment con- Rights. However, theUNSGhasnot,todate,receivedan 60th anniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationHuman } As anactorindevelopmentandwithaspe- The workofAMSED E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +212537759352/53–Fax: +212537750098 10 000Rabat,Morocco MohamedVI 65, Avenue Ms NajatSarhani,Director Développement AMSED, AssociationMarocaine deSolidaritéet For moreinformation,contact: G f G f G f G f G f G f G f tion istosupport thewomeninitsmem- through these groups. Itsprimaryfunc- supports ruralwomenatgrassroots level nity-based women’sorganisations and CAFOB currentlycomprises52 commu- women inBurundi. the subjectofgenderandpromotion of national andinternationalinstitutionson forpublic,private, been aprimarycontact was officiallyregisterdin1997,CAFOBhas Studies andCooperation(CECI).Sinceit port oftheCanadianCentreforInternational women’s organisationsandwiththesup- 1994, attheinitiativeofsevenBurundian Burundian civilsociety. Itwasfoundedin framework forthewomen’smovementin of Burundi),isthelargestconcerted-action lective ofWomen’s OrganisationsandNGOs ONG FémininesduBurundi(CAFOB–Col- Burundi, theCollectifdesOrganisationset in somecasesfindappropriatesolutions. tify sharedproblemsintheirdailylives,and rows. Together, theyhavebeenabletoiden- kindred spiritsandsharetheirjoyssor- and personalgrowth,wheretheyhavefound tions havebecomeaplaceforself- expression country. Forruralwomen,suchorganisa- contribution tothedevelopmentoftheir the personalgrowthofwomenthroughtheir the population’slivingconditionsaswell tions istocontributetheimprovementof The goalofBurundianwomen’sorganisa- the war. dren havebeenmoreaffectedthanmenby should alsobenotedthatwomenandchil- household nutritionandchildrearing.It tionally, womenaremoreconcernedwith tions. Thisisduetothefactthat,tradi- deprived childrenarewomen’sorganisa- and thoseworkingfortheprotectionof The partnerofthe Dimitra projectin A genuinecollectiveorganisation Most oftheagriculturalorganisations a forumforgatheringandself-expression Women’s organisations: G f A forumforBurundianwomen CAFOB: G f G f G f HIV/AIDS, andsoon. protection ofdeprivedchildrenorthestruggleagainst others onagriculturaldevelopment,yetthe various fields.Someconcentrateonconflictresolution, in 1993,anumberoforganisationswerecreated Following thesocio-politicalcrisiswhichrockedBurundi G f G f G development ofBurundi. as wellfullparticipationofwomeninthe age thedevelopmentoffemaleleadership, ber groupsandorganisationsencour- increase theoperatingcapacityofitsmem- isto Burundian women.CAFOB’smaintask around 100,000,butinfactreachesouttoall ber organisations,whichcurrentlynumber result, theyhave beenmessengersofpeace or geographical originorskincolour. Asa and exileaffectthemregardless of ethnic Women haveunderstood thatwar, poverty tool inthecountry’sreconciliation process. far andwide,havealsobeen apowerful enabled womentomakethemselves heard tions. Radioprogrammes,forexample, have tribution toCAFOB’smemberorganisa- rise sharply. kept until sowing time,whenpricestendto products arenolongersoldatcroptimebut have increasedthegroups’revenue,as ment andcombatfamine.Thegranaries later seasons,improveproductionmanage- which enablethemtopreservecropsfor province tookpartinbuildinggranaries women’s farmingorganisationsinthe waste. WiththehelpofActionAid, of theneedtodealwithissuecrop its womenmembersbecomemoreaware CAFOB hasplayedamajorpartinhelping following years. crops aresoldandnoseedremainsforthe nately, duetoalackofstoragefacilities,all adequate, cropsareabundant.Unfortu- and famine.However, whentherainfallis Kirondo isnowfrequentlystruckbydrought Long knownas‘thecountry’sbreadbasket’, tion inthenorthernprovinceofKirondo. in improvingtheskillsofruralpopula- tion withtheinternationalNGOActionAid, achievements hasbeenitsrole,incoopera- Improved cropmanagement Improved The media have made an important con- The mediahavemadeanimportant The roleofcommunicationinpeace-building In concreteterms,oneofCAFOB’s f G f G f G f G f G f

G f G GfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGf

within their own families, their organisa- tions, and ultimately society as a whole. Gender-sensitive conflict resolution training and workshops on dialogue and non-violence have also contributed to this process.

Political participation and the status of women Some of CAFOB’s notable achievements include the participation of women in the Arusha talks for peace and reconciliation in Burundi, as well as awareness-raising, lob- bying and advocacy for the increased recog- nition of women’s issues in politics. CAFOB has conducted a study of women’s expertise

in Burundi and has been engaged in dissemi- Dimitra © nating the text of the Convention on the Elimi- nation of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It has proposed legislation Civile pour le Monitoring des Elections pal councils, where 30% of seats are now on the legal status of women, notably regard- (COSOME – Civil Society Organisations’ Coa- allocated to women. ing inheritance and marriage. lition for Election Monitoring). CAFOB has also built the capacities of rural With regard to elections, CAFOB has actively Recently, CAFOB and SPPDF published organisations in various provinces on the participated in the “Synergie des Partenaires a press release on the draft law concern- importance of operating in a network. Further pour la Promotion des Droits de la Femme” ing the planned amendment to the Elec- to this action, several networks were formed. (SPPDF – Partners’ Synergy for Women’s toral Code by the National Assembly, which Rights Promotion) to improve the capaci- highlighted the flaws in the representation All these achievements are the result of hard ties of women electoral candidates. It is also of women and proposed a series of amend- work on the part of each of CAFOB’s member actively involved in the Coalition de la Société ments. Although balanced male-female rep- organisations, and show how central the Col- resentation is a must lective is to the constructive and useful dyna- for harmonious and mism initiated by the women of Burundi. sustainable develop- ment, women remain h For more information, contact: under-represented in, CAFOB, Collectif des Organisations et ONG or even absent from, Féminines du Burundi a number of decision- Anne-Spès Nishimwe, Communications and making spheres. This Advocacy Officer advocacy must con- B.P. 561 tinue as the proposed Bujumbura, Burundi amendments have not Tel: +257 217758 – Fax: +257 218409 been withheld, except Mobile: +257 79 904867 in the case of munici- E-mail: [email protected] November 2009

CAFOB comprises 52 community-based women’s organisations and supports rural women at grassroots level through these groups. Among CAFOB’s important achievements should

© CAFOB be noted its work for political participation and a better status for women in Burundi.

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Madagascar – HARDI, an entrepreneurial model for family farming © ONE

The 11th International Rural Economy Trade Fair in Madagascar (FIER-MADA) took place in Antananarivo from 5 to 9 August 2009. This year’s theme was ‘mutual respect, skill innovation and fair growth’. The activity of small rural producers was showcased by 120 stands. One of the examples was supplied by the NGO “Harmonisation des Actions pour la Réalisation d’un Développement Intégré” (HARDI, Harmonisation of Actions for the Implementation of Integrated Development), an organisation which, with its various production activities, could be considered an entrepreneurial model for family farming.

Almost 80% of Madagascans live in rural A number of development organisations and capitalising on the progress made, CIDR pro- areas and most are farmers or artisans. The groups, including HARDI, became aware of vided technical support to HARDI’s project diverse climatic conditions give rise to a great this fact. In 2001, they launched activities to staff to improve their skills in assisting pro- variety of agricultural activities across the support the regularisation of smallholders’ ducer families with marketing and market country. However, most family farms are very ownership of their land with the local Topo- access. small (averaging less than 1 ha) and their yield graphical and Land Administration Bureaus is generally low. Despite the country’s agri- to protect their economic exploitation of On the strength of this experience, HARDI cultural and ecological potential, a number these lands. For instance, people living in the launched a new ‘Programme for Promoting of areas still suffer from economic and food municipality of Miadanandriana (Antanan- Entrepreneurship in Family Farming’ in 2007. shortages. arivo Province) received participatory train- Several enterprises, including three agrifood/ ing in project development to enable them artisanal companies, receive support from This is because farmers do not have the agri- to obtain funding and start their own busi- the NGO within the framework of this pro- cultural and technical capacity to meet food nesses. gramme. requirements. Moreover, unfair trade rela- tions often stand in their way. It is certainly In 2006, the International Centre for Develop- The first of these is an agrifood business becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to ment and Research (CIDR/France) founded known as ‘Mamiko’, which harvests ground make a decent living. The liberalisation of the an inter-enterprise group in Toliara with the cherries 1 (locally called pok-pok) and sells market and the absence of stable, profitable purpose of setting up a unit for processing products based on it in the rural municipali- markets to sell food crops make family farm- agricultural produce to make flour. Based on ties of Miadanandriana, Mantasoa and Ambo-

Dimitra Newsletter ing a risky enterprise in Madagascar. this successful experience, and with a view to hitrandriamanitra (Analamanga Region,

18 } f ONE ©

G November 2009 f

G Dimitra © u- { 19 f G f G f G f G f G f For more information, contact: For ONE, Office National pour l’Environnement (National Office for the Environment) Rasamimanana Ms Vololomihaja B.P. 822 Antananarivo 101, Madagascar +261 20 2230693 +261 20 2225999 – Fax: Tel: E-mail: [email protected] In 2007, HARDI launched a Programme for Promoting The NGO supports, Farming. Entrepreneurship in Family in this framework, several agrifood/artisanal enterprises. G h f G f G f G f G f G f G f The plants can be either annual or perennial, and its stem may be stiff at the base. The leaf margins are entire or dentate-sin ate, and the flowers, which grow in the leaf axils, usually single. The corolla is surrounded by a bright orange, lantern-shaped when ripe, certain calyx, and is used in flower arranging. The fruit (a berry enclosed in a husk) is generally toxic. However, and varieties are edible, even delicious, as well as highly decorative. They are also commonly known as ‘Japanese lanterns’, (Source: Wikipedia) one species, Physalis peruviana, as the Cape gooseberry. consistency of jam or stewed fruit. 1 The ground cherry genus, Physalis, belongs to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family and probably originated in the Americas. 2 Chutney is a sweet and sour condiment made from fruit or vegetables cooked in vinegar with sugar and spices until it has the creation of networks of local actors who can creation of networks of local actors who can then improve their access to the family-farm- ing market and increase their skills to ensure their durability. In the examples mentioned, rural women in have set themselves up as local producers ground cherries, raffia different fields (honey, matting and soy; an essential oil project is also to underway). In the future, they will be able build more highly developed partner- ships with urban and even interna- tional commercial enterprises. G f G as well as well . It pur- f . HARDI G pok-pok honey f , a vegetable fibre G (commonly known as (commonly known as f 2 G milk and yoghurt f

soy G f production of raffia G

f into jellies or chutneys into jellies or chutneys Antananarivo is turned Province). The fruit is the Another of the activities supported by HARDI capital city). located in Amboropotsy Talata-maty (in the (in the located in Amboropotsy Talata-maty age of 1 ha of land. The processing plant is 30 family farms, each of which has an aver- (Manjakandriana District) and is supplied by pality of Ambohibao Sud and Ankazodandy chases soybeans from planters in the munici- Region) produce and package the Manjakandriana district (Analamanga the Manjakandriana district (Analamanga supports, 50 families of beekeepers in supports, 50 families of beekeepers In the second agrifood business that HARDI In the second agrifood business that HARDI MADA trade fair). MADA even urban enterprises (e.g. during the FIER- as jams, jellies and chutneys – to local and as jams, jellies and chutneys – to local and and sale of products – fresh provides assistance with the production and training to 250 farming families. It also and training to 250 farming families. It also HARDI gives advice, support, organisation HARDI gives advice, support, organisation preneurial model to support family farms: preneurial model to support family farms: can see here how the NGO is using its entre- cial channels for products, and so on. We We cial channels for products, and so on. titles to existing land, shortage of commer- insufficient arable land, lack of ownership insufficient arable land, lack of ownership lems in these municipalities, such as poverty, such as poverty, lems in these municipalities, HARDI focuses specifically on social prob- HARDI focuses specifically soabe (Miadanadriana). soabe (Miadanadriana). pok-pok mamiko) at a workshop in Ambohit- pok-pok rural entrepreneurship, which it does by the HARDI is an excellent model for encouraging From the above, it can be concluded that place mats. factured annually, along with sisal blinds and factured annually, matting measuring 1.50m x 1.20m are manu- ity of Alarobia/Ambatomanga. 1,500 rolls of at Ambohitravaratra, in the rural municipal- two-pedal looms and a production workshop preparation of raffia products. There are seven been trained in weaving and 20 others in the used to make baskets. Seven artisans have and produces receiving support from HARDI for four years ‘Soamaharavo’, the third company, has been ‘Soamaharavo’, the third company, hives. The honey is harvested annually. hives. The honey is harvested Each production unit comprises 230 modern Each production unit comprises 230 modern lyptus honey and beekeeping equipment. lyptus honey and beekeeping equipment. vides them with support for the sale of euca- organises and trains the beekeepers and pro- G f G fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG MIJARC – Political participation of rural women

In the mid nineties, the International Movement for Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth (MIJARC, Mouvement International de la Jeunesse Agricole et Rurale Catholique) embarked on an analysis of women’s access to decision-making bodies, both within the organisation and in society at large. It showed that although women are very active at the local level, they are generally not found in positions of responsibility nor are they often involved in decision-making at the national and international levels.

Women members of MIJARC therefore started are empowered at all levels up women’s interest groups and elected in relation to their rights and women’s commissions in order to strengthen their participation to take women’s participation, share ideas and strug- leadership”. In this respect, its gle for women’s rights. The organisation also different member movements created an International Women’s Commis- are working on a wide range sion. This body, which is composed of one of activities. CARYM (Catholic representative from each continent and one Agriculture Rural Youth Move- member of MIJARC’s World Team, defines ment) Zambia, for example, and coordinates the organisation’s work in organises training for young the field of women’s issues. Its objectives are rural women in the field of as follows: food sovereignty and leader- – to enable women in rural areas to take up ship. CARYM Uganda provides responsibilities in the movement; training in entrepreneurial – to enable women to analyse gender skills, and MIJARC’s member differences; movement in the Democratic

– to provoke changes that will allow stronger Republic of Congo is working © MIJARC participation of women within the move- on the participation of women ment, in villages/society and in develop- in different aspects of life, the MIJARC’s International Women’s Commission is composed of one ment projects; struggle against AIDS and the representative from Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America, and one member – to enable women to elaborate and imple- improvement of the living con- of its World Team. ment action plans. ditions of young rural women.

MIJARC’s first Young Rural Women Con- International Women’s Day (March 8th) and MIJARC is an international movement with ference, organised in 2007, reflected on International Rural Women’s Day (Octo- gender equity and women’s issues. Around member movements in four continents – Asia, ber 15th) are key dates for the movement to 50 women from all over the world came Europe, Africa and Latin America. It is an organise demonstrations and public events to Uganda to discuss different topics – the organisation of young people, for young people, which raise awareness on women’s issues. political participation of women, their role with young people. Rural youth ranging between in society, access to productive resources, 12 and 30 years old commit themselves in Realising there was a dire need for civic edu- etc. – and to develop an action plan. They rural youth movements and contribute to local cation to counter women’s lack of access to also exchanged ideas on MIJARC’s actions sustainable rural development. Training sessions decision-making bodies (especially in rural on women’s issues at the local, national and organised by MIJARC accompany local initiatives areas), in the summer of 2009 MIJARC’s international level in a multicultural atmos- Inter national Women’s Commission decided of rural youth in the fields of income generating phere. The meeting showed that women’s to develop a civic education manual. This projects in agriculture, cooperatives or micro- work continues to be an important issue for manual will include components on women the movement. enterprises. & food, finance, political participation and Since MIJARC is a bottom-up movement, health, as well as international declarations Women’s access to productive resources activities at the local level provide input to the such as the Women’s Rights Declaration and remains a serious problem for young women the Millennium Development Goals. MIJARC movement’s work internationally. Its “see-judge- in particular. Inheritance and land tenure hopes to publish the manual in 2010. laws still limit women’s ownership and use act” methodology enables young rural people of land worldwide. MIJARC, as an organisa- to analyse their living conditions and act either tion working for rural and agricultural youth, by concrete local projects, training activities or h For more information, please contact: encourages young women to farm in order political actions. With this methodology, MIJARC MIJARC to guarantee food security, and to take up aims to transform the agricultural environment Carolin Grieshop, Secretary General responsibilities in their movements and in and to foster rural development for the creation 53, Rue J. Coosemans their society. of a new society, with new personalities, and to 1030 Brussels, Belgium promote comprehensive education and training of +32-2-7349211 The specific gender objective of MIJARC’s rural youth. [email protected] current World Action Plan reads: “Women www.mijarc.net Dimitra Newsletter 20 } GfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGf

King Baudouin International Development Prize awarded to Indonesian radio press agency KBR68H

The King Baudouin Foundation has awarded the 2008-2009 King Baudouin International Development Prize to the Indonesian radio press agency KBR68H, a network of over 630 radio stations dedicated to promoting democracy, tolerance and development.

The prize was awarded to the KBR68H agency which is also where the “for its contribution to sustainable devel- group of anti-censorship opment founded on the encouragement of activists had been based. democracy, tolerance and civic participation, The agency quickly through the production and distribution of became a respected pro- high-quality information throughout a net- fessional organisation, work of local radio stations as well as for its with a 100-strong staff in promotion of professionalism in the media Jakarta and a large net- world.” work of collaborators throughout the country. KBR68H, born of the transition to democracy KBR68H provides inde- KBR68H was created in April 1999, at a time pendent news and educa- when democracy was beginning to blossom tional radio programmes in Indonesia after the fall of the authoritarian which are broadcast for Suharto regime, by a group of activists and nearly eight hours every media professionals that had come together day on 630 radio stations FRB/Jean-Paul Collette © five years previously in order to promote free- throughout the country KBR68H is highly engaged on behalf of disaster victims, in the fight against dom of information. (240 million inhabitants corruption, and in the promotion of tolerance, pluralism and fundamental human scattered across the archi- rights. KBR68H set up headquarters in Jakarta. Its pelago made up of 17,000 name derives from the contraction of Kan- islands). Its daily audi- tor Brita Radio (radio press agency) and its ence is currently estimated at an average of 18 Supporting the country’s media as a whole address, at number 68H on Utan Kayu Street, million people, listening for an average of two KBR68H also set up the Indonesian Associa- hours a day. tion for Media Development (PPMN), devoted to increasing the professionalism of the media. Many of the programmes produced by Together, KBR68H and PPMN provide train- KBR68H are successful interactive topical talk ing to journalists, technicians, presenters and shows which particularly cover topics related managers. They have also set up a programme to religious tolerance, human rights, women’s for the creation of new radio stations in iso- issues and the environment. The agency is also lated parts of the country. highly engaged on behalf of disaster victims, in the fight against corruption, and in the promo- An impact beyond Indonesian borders tion of tolerance, pluralism and fundamental The example of KBR68H has inspired other human rights. democratic players to develop similar radio networks in fragile countries such as Nepal KBR68H does not own the radio stations that and Pakistan. Since 2003, KBR68H has pro- make up its network – they are run by associa- duced a weekly radio programme on current tions or local NGOs. However, it does possess events, Asia Calling, which is broadcast in 9 its own station, Green Radio, which focuses on languages by 240 radio stations in 11 countries, environmental issues. from Afghanistan to Australia.

KBR68H has widely diversified its sources of Both media and agent of development financing. It continues to enjoy the support The KBR68H project makes a real con- of international NGOs, but also has private tribution to the formation of independent patrons and earns advertising income. Several public opinion, civic participation, religious ministries also pay for the broadcast of public tolerance, opening up remote regions, and

service announcements about family planning, education in democratic principles. November 2009 AIDS prevention, forest conservation and … the necessity of paying one’s taxes. h For more information: www.kbprize.org © FRB/Jean-Paul Collette ©

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Note: Most of the publications mentioned here are available on-line for free (unless otherwise specified). Resources Most web links are too long to provide in their entirety. If the publications are hard to find on the organisations’ websites, it usually suffices to do a google search on the title.

FUNDRAISING

f International Network of Women’s Funds (INWF) The INWF is an international network of inde- pendent women’s funds committed to expanding the resources available to women’s rights organisations around the world by providing grants to seed, sup- port and strengthen women’s organisations in their own communities. www.inwf.org WEBSITES

f Gender, Citizenship and Governance (GCG) This KIT information portal provides access to more than 300 free, full-text internet resources on women’s political participation and representation, women’s rights, women/gender and local govern- ment, gender and accountability, gender and institu- tional mainstreaming, and gender in policy processes in the developing world. http://portals.kit.nl © WOUGNET

f Gender & Development Journal Online This journal focuses specifically on international PUBLICATIONS gender and development issues, and explores the connections between gender and development initia- f Give Girls a Chance: Tackling Child Labour, f Excision : les jeunes changent l’Afrique par les TIC tives and feminist perspectives. Its website offers free a Key to the Future Female Genital Mutilation: Young People Use ICTs access to over 450 articles from researchers, policy- This report notes that while recent global esti- to Change Africa makers, and practitioners on a range of gender and mates indicate the number of children involved in development issues. Published in the “Environnement Africain” series, child labour has been falling, the financial crisis this book presents the main results of the research www.genderanddevelopment.org threatens to erode this progress. It says the danger project ‘The contribution of ICT to giving up FGM in of girls being forced into child labour is linked to French-speaking Africa: the role of young people as f Infonet-Biovision evidence that in many countries families give pref- citizens’, which was implemented from 2006 to 2009 This information web-tool offers trainers, exten- erence to boys when making decisions on educa- in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal, with the support sion workers and farmers a quick access to up-to- tion of children. Because of the increase in poverty of Canada’s International Development Research date and locally relevant information in order to as result of the crisis, poor families with a number Centre (IDRC). optimise their livelihoods in a safe, effective, and of children may have to make choices as to which children stay in school. In cultures in which a higher ENDA Third World, March 2009 (126p) ecologically sound way. The information presented http://synfev.enda.sn is specifically relevant for Africa and its inhabitants, value is placed on education of male children, girls many examples and case studies are from Kenya or risk being taken out of school, and are then likely to f Gender and Care East African countries, but are valid for other tropical enter the workforce at an early age. countries as well. ILO, June 2009 (88p) Providing care can be both a source of fulfil- www.ilo.org ment and a terrible burden. For women and girls in http://infonet-biovision.org particular, their socially prescribed role as carers can undermine their rights and limit their opportunities, f FAO Gender, Equity and Rural Employment f Education for Rural People. The role of education, training and capacity development in poverty capabilities and choices – posing a fundamental website obstacle to gender equality and well-being. How can reduction and food security The Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Divi- we move towards a world in which individuals and sion supports FAO’s efforts to promote the economic Nearly one out of six people of the current society recognise and value the importance of differ- and social well-being of the rural poor. In addition to inhabitants of the world is suffering from hunger ent forms of care, but without reinforcing care work coordinating FAO’s work on sustainable rural devel- and illiteracy. This book was developed to assist as something that only women can or should do? opment and population issues, the Division assists policy makers dealing with rural poverty, food inse- curity and education challenges confronting rural BRIDGE Cutting Edge Pack, January 2009 FAO and its member governments in addressing www.bridge.ids.ac.uk gender, equity and rural employment issues. people. It seeks to address the correlation between www.fao.org/economic/esw/esw-home/en education, training, empowerment and food secu- rity, mainly through a number of examples from all f Gender and Climate Finance: Double Mainstreaming for Sustainable Development f FAO Land Tenure website over the world. It is about strengthening the capac- ity of rural people to achieve food security. It identi- Climate change is real, it is happening already, FAO has recently launched a new website fies different dimensions of education and training and its impacts on people are not gender-neutral. dedicated to land tenure issues. The site contains that have proven useful, and covers formal educa- It is affecting men and women all over the world a variety of information resources on the subject, tion as well as non-formal education, literacy as well differently, especially in the world’s poorest coun- most of them in the form of documentation: new as skills training. tries and amongst the most vulnerable people and publications, studies, policy series, notes, manuals, communities. As women and men have different journals, miscellaneous documents, technical docu- FAO, 2009 (152p) – 60.00 US$ www.fao.org adaptive and mitigative capabilities, the financing ments, CD-ROMs, etc. instruments and mechanisms committed to climate

Dimitra Newsletter www.fao.org/nr/tenure/lt-home change activities in mitigation and adaptation need to take these gender-differentiated impacts into 22 } GfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGf

account in funds design and operationalisation as and destitution. This Background Note argues that investment in tourism, land rights and natural- well as concrete project financing. two important features of the food price crisis have resource management in a decentralised environ- Heinrich Böll Stiftung, May 2009 (29p) received inadequate attention. First, women are ment. A concise guide for the general reader, it www.boell.org bearing a disproportionate share of the burden of endeavours to take into account various aspects of the food price crisis, both as producers and con- land rights and natural resources, and to supply a sumers. Second, responses at the international and satisfactory answer to the most crucial issues of the f Gender and Governance national levels have not taken sufficient considera- moment, as formulated by the actors themselves. Governance processes – with their emphasis on tion of gender dynamics into crisis responses. IIED & IED Afrique, December 2008 (32p) principles of accountability, transparency, respon- ODI Background Note, August 2009 (12p) www.iied.org siveness and inclusiveness – should be a means to www.odi.org.uk social transformation. But despite this potential, they are failing to deliver on gender equality, and f Knowledge and Innovation for Agricultural f women are having to struggle to get their voices Getting the Balance Right: Development heard and needs met. This Cutting Edge Pack Gender Equality in Journalism Improving the livelihoods of the rural poor maps out persistent obstacles to gender equality This handbook is an illustrated and easy-to- requires combining indigenous knowledge and in governance and offers possible ways forward – read guide and resource material for journalists. It local innovation with formal agricultural research including promoting gender balance in positions evolved primarily out of a desire to equip journalists and development and support from governments of authority, making rights central to governance with more information and understanding of gender and other institutions. This brief outlines how for- institutions and processes at all levels, and building issues in their work. It is addressed to media organi- mal and informal knowledge and innovation can be political will for change. sations, professional associations and journalists’ linked to accelerate sustainable agricultural devel- BRIDGE Cutting Edge Pack, April 2009 unions seeking to contribute to the goal of gender opment. It identifies such necessary steps as scaling equality. www.bridge.ids.ac.uk up investments in agricultural science, technology, International Federation of Journalists, 2009 (50p) research, extension, and training – and in ways that will spread advances in knowledge and innovation f www.ifj.org Gender Vulnerabilities, Food Price Shocks as widely as possible. and Social Protection Responses f Instruments juridiques pour la sécurisation IFPRI, March 2009 (4p) The first half of 2008 saw the peak of the inter- des droits fonciers des populations à la base. www.ifpri.org national food price spike, with effects on domes- Un guide pour les élus et les populations locales tic and local food prices in many countries. Since then, the global economic crisis has further com- Legal instruments for securing the land rights of f Mapping Aid Effectiveness and Gender Equality pounded the situation, with concerns that the con- populations at grassroots level: A guide for elected in Africa: Regional Issues and Trends tagion effects could reverse decades of progress in representatives and local populations This report provides an overview of the issues developing countries, with hundreds of millions of This book discusses key local-development and trends that emerged from mapping studies people experiencing worsening impoverishment issues in Senegal, in particular those relating to on aid effectiveness, gender equality and women’s

A Regional Research Centre on Women, Gender and Peace Building in the Great Lakes Region

The second Forum of Ministers of Women’s Affairs of the Great Lakes Region (GLR), jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of Kenya in Mombasa from 2 to 5 June 2009, discussed the establishment of a Regional Research Centre on Women, Gender and Peace Building in the Great Lakes Region. The centre will be based in Kinshasa (DRC).

There is a strong lack of reliable, systematic establishment of a mechanism to facilitate the logue, exchange of experiences, best practices and usable information on women in the GLR sharing of available information to relevant and ideas between policy makers, academics, which could feed into both advocacy and policy stakeholders and to translate research results gender activists and practitioners, to review change and formulation. Equally lacking are into gender sensitive policy formulation. and formulate new and more effective strat- research-based information and data which egies for reinforcing women’s involvement could lead to an adequate understanding of The Centre intends to facilitate communica- in conflict-resolution, peace processes and shifts in gender roles and of the situation of tion and networking and promote awareness reconstruction efforts. women as a result of wars and conflicts in campaigns, and to provide a platform for dia- the region. This lack of information, at local, Dimitra was invited to the Forum in Mom- national and regional levels, and especially in basa to present its experience in the field of the areas of peace building and security, eco- The future Centre will cover the ten countries of the participatory communication as a tool to fight nomic regional integration, humanitarian and GLR: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the violence against women, with the example social affairs in the GLR, is a real impediment Congo (DRC), Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Central of the “Community Listeners’ Clubs” which to improving women’s livelihoods. have been put in place in the DRC by its part- November 2009 African Republic, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda and November 2009 Zambia. It will be based in Kinshasa (DRC) and ners SAMWAKI in South Kivu and REFED in The future Research Centre on Women, Gen- Katanga. will extend its action in the other countries through der and Peace Building in the GLR will offer November 2009 a concrete response to the requirements and national associated bodies. Besides UNESCO and Considering the importance of this Centre the priorities for the theme of gender equality Ministries of Women’s Affairs of the GLR, the main and its direct relevance to Dimitra’s work, it is formulated during the Addis Ababa Consulta- partners in the project are UNIFEM, UNECA, UNFPA important that the project and its partners will tion (2005). As pointed out during this Con- and the Secretariat of the International Conference share with it their networks and information{ 23 sultation, a real need exists in the GLR for the on the Great Lakes Region. and communication techniques. { 23 fGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfGfG

f Sowing the Seeds – A Study of Media Coverage of Agriculture and Women in the Agricultural Sector in Three African Countries: Mali, Uganda and Zambia This report documents the scant attention that both agriculture and women agriculturalists have received from news media in Mali, Uganda and Zambia. The release of the report coincides with the launch of “Reporting on Women and Agriculture: Africa”, a three-year IWMF initiative to enhance reporting on agriculture and women in Africa and make agriculture a key subject for African media. IWMF, February 2009 (28p) www.iwmf.org

f Transforming the Landscape of Leadership in Microfinance: Maintaining the Focus on Women This paper introduces Women’s World Banking’s © Dimitra © (WWB) new methodology for helping microfinance institutions support gender diversity at all levels of empowerment in Cameroon, Democratic Republic operating techniques for the production of various their institution. WWB has expanded its Women’s of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Ghana. The findings programme formats, from interviewing to writing Leadership Development Program, which works with point to increased government-donor cooperation for radio, through newsreading, the management of individuals, to include a tool that focuses on the chal- in developing and supporting nationally owned radio debates, the broadcasting of serials and docu- lenges and opportunities microfinance institutions development plans. At the same time, they indicate mentaries, etc. An excellent tool for complement- face in the attraction, retention, and promotion of that these plans are not yet fully country-owned, ing and developing skills learned in the field or via qualified women staff members – the Organizational and donors have not yet aligned support to national continuing training. The book is adapted to meet the Gender Assessment. The publication offers concrete gender equality priorities. Challenges also remain needs of a French-speaking public, and also includes examples of policies and programs that can help with regards to the integration of gender equality references to resource centres in Europe and Africa institutions achieve gender diversity. plans in national development strategies and partic- which can provide further information to radio jour- WWB, 2009 (40p) ipation of gender equality advocates in discussions nalists. www.swwb.org on aid delivery. Gret, 2008 (216p) – 10 € EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Develop- www.gret.org f Where is the Money for Women’s Rights – ment and Peace, ITC/ILO, UNIFEM, 2008 (35p) Factsheets www.unifem.org f Radios et NTIC en Afrique de l’Ouest : Through the “Where is the Money for Women’s connectivité et usages Rights?” Initiative, AWID has produced fact sheets f ‘Mission Possible’: A Gender and Media Radio stations and NICTs in West Africa: to help in understanding the dynamics around fund- Advocacy Training Toolkit connectivity and uses ing for women’s rights activities. The fact sheets This toolkit seeks to de-mystify the media, gen- Radio stations remain the most appropriate have been developed through a series of activities, der and media advocacy by providing concrete steps, medium for social and development communica- including research and surveys of selected women’s case studies, pointers, tips and information, with the tion in Africa. This study presents a description of the organisations worldwide. aim of influencing gender representation and por- current connectivity of West African radio stations to AWID, 2008- 2009 trayal in and through the media. It was written for ICTs, an analysis of constraints and opportunities, www.awid.org organisations outside of the media which target it as as well as recommendations for the various actors. part of their gender activism. It mainly centres on seven target countries (Ghana, f Women and Rural Employment. Global Media Monitoring Project, 2008 Benin, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Fighting Poverty by Redefining Gender Roles www.whomakesthenews.org Niger) and covers all types of radio station (com- About three quarters of the world’s poor live in munity, commercial, religious). The total number of rural areas. Among those, women constitute a par- f Plaidoyer pour le genre dans le développement stations surveyed is 2200. ticularly vulnerable, yet crucially important group durable PIWA, October 2008 (116p) for social and economic development. Investing in Gender Advocacy for Sustainable Development www.panos-ao.org/ipao rural women is thus not only a moral imperative; it Le Monde selon les Femmes and several other can also be a promising strategy to effectively fight organisations and NGOs present advocacy strate- f Soldiers Who Rape, Commanders Who Condone: poverty and hunger. gies for six causes: access for women to all jobs in Sexual Violence and Military Reform in the FAO Economic and Social Perspectives - the field of sustainable development; more equality Democratic Republic of Congo Policy Brief No.5, August 2009 (2p) in food sovereignty; territorial feminism and land This report documents persistent sexual violence www.fao.org rights; increased equality in conventional, fair and by the army, and the limited impact of government organic trade; sustainable development and gender and donor efforts to address the problem. It looks f Working with the Media on Gender and Education. in Belgian development cooperation; and a feminist closely at the conduct of the army’s 14th brigade as A Guide for Training and Planning economy. an example of the wider problem of sexual violence This guide is designed to help education and Le Monde selon les Femmes, ‘Analyse & Plaidoyer’ by soldiers. The brigade has been implicated in many gender campaigners, and organisations and coali- Series – 09 (44p) acts of sexual violence in North and South Kivu prov- tions, work more effectively with the media to pro- www.mondefemmes.org inces, often in the context of massive looting and mote gender-equitable education. It explores issues other attacks on civilians. Despite ample information relating to gender equality in education and con- f Produire des programmes pour la radio about the situation, military, political, and judicial tains practical advice on working with the media. authorities have failed to take decisive action to pre- Throughout the guide suggestions of activities to An adaptation in French of the English best-seller vent rape. ‘Radio Production’ by Robert McLeish (2005) help groups generate discussion and explore the HRW, July 2009 (56p) issues addressed in more depth are given the guide is This is a must-read for all professionals involved www.hrw.org accompanied by a set of worksheets that correspond in radio production, whether on public or com- to these activities. munity stations. The reader is introduced to the Oxfam, A Beyond Access Resource, 2008 (44p) www.oxfam.org.uk Dimitra Newsletter

24 } http ://www.fao.org/ Dimitra