Participatory mid-term review of Women Empowerment Programs

1. Participatory mid-term review of Women Empowerment Programs Selam HailemichaelCARE Norway30.11.12

2. Outline of presentation • Background • Initiation of the programs • Baseline stage • Mid-Term Review (MTR) • The Process • The Findings • The Lessons Learnt • Next steps • The processes ahead

3. Background 2009 – New framework agreement with Norad Program countries Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mali, Niger, Myanmar Thematic areas: Economic Empowerment Participation in decision making Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Gender Based Violence Working methodology VSL Engaging men Advocacy Partnership & Networking Theory of social change

4. Cont…… • Focus on higher level & measurable results • Through participatory, bottom up approach select common sets of indicators • Baseline research - Comparison groups • Baseline sample varied between 829 – over 2700 respondents

5. Outcome indicators

6. Baseline findings- what the numbers told us • Marked difference with comparison group • VSL members positive attitude on economic empowerment & participation • Asset ownership (& control) consistently higher for VSL members • Consistently showed higher level of participation (level of influence on decisions made) in community based groups • Felt stronger social connectedness • Higher SRHR Information (reliable source) • No difference • Coping with shocks– no marked difference except high % of VSL members used savings to cope • Attitude on women’s ability to make decision on their SRHR (use of contraceptives, accessing maternal health care, choosing partner etc.) & regarding GBV • Use of services no difference

7. MTR objectives • Are we on track? • What kind of change is being created? • Qualitative data to support quantitative baseline findings • Learning & capacity building • Self-critical reflection

8. MTR process - Design phase • Negotiatedimplementation of review in house by WEP team • ToR developed through consultation with CO team • Common guideline – scope, guiding questions, targeted respondents (Impact group members, target groups, local authorities, CARE & partners staff) • Very intensive round of consultation and reviewper country • MTR team - CARE staff (both program and program support), partners’ staff

9. MTR process - Implementation phase • MTR was done in the same geographical area as the baseline • Qualitative study - App. 30 key informant interviews, 10 focus groups, & 10 most significant change interviews per country • Supplemented by focused review of existing secondary information • Field data collection took about two weeks • Inter- country peer review (by CARE & partner staff) • Prepared joint learning agendas & contracts

10. MTR process - Analysis and finalisation • Intensive week for joint analysis (capacity building & actual analysis) • Description, Interpretation, Implication, Information/ knowledge application • Follow up analysis & report writing • Dissemination in a joint seminar • Finalization of report • Develop action points to address identified gaps

11. The findings – Economic empowerment • Positive • 8 502 VSLAs formed (22 533 targeted by end of term) • Mobilized over 3 M USD as savings • Significant increase in engagement in IGAs • Increase in personal income, less financial dependence on men & ability to meet HH expenses • Able to cope with short duration shocks (e.g. periodic drought situation) • Men acknowledge & appreciate women’s economic empowerment • Interested in accessing larger loans – linkages to MFI • Obtaining productive assets & Improved property rights

12. Cont…… • Challenges • Low turn over & activity levels (large savings & low levels of loans) • Limited choices for IGAs, limited prospect for expansion • Weak marketing linkages • Loss/ theft of savings • Risk of indebtedness + forceful repayment of loans • Some cases of men ‘owning’ women’s savings & loans • Men withheld their contribution to the HH budget • As a result women investing benefits from the VSLAs/ IGAs in HH consumption rather than being reinvested in productive activities • Inability to cope with sever & extended shocks • Women’s empowerment narrowly understood as economic gain

13. The findings – Social empowerment • Positive • Self-worth & confidence • Increase in awareness of rights & entitlements • Stronger social support; mediation, peace building–more than monetary gains • Improved participation skills • Contribution to community development • Cultural & religious institutions defending & promoting women’s rights • Improved HH relations • Men increasingly involved in & supported SRH service use • Men involved in domestic work

14. Cont…… • Challenges • Strained social relations • Discrimination within groups • Exclusion of the poorest • Men’s perception - women becoming not just assertive but ‘arrogant’ • Men felt ‘disempowered’ • Men forcefully prevented women from participating in meetings/ VSLs/ forced them to work extra hours • Conflicts in HHs as roles changed

15. The findings – Political empowerment • Positive • VSLA – platform to nurture capacities to enter the public arena • Forming networks – influential beyond immediate community • Participation in community management structures • Increased interest to play an active role in politics • Mobilize support • Election to public offices • Carry out stronger advocacy leading to concrete changes in laws & policies • Enabled to hold decision makers accountable • Leaders consulting VSL members

16. Cont…… • Challenges • Work load • Increased representation but still struggle with meaningful participation • Political animosity – no strategy to deal with this • Party politics – and where does CARE fit in this? • Ad hoc engagement with promoting this objective; lack a well thought through strategy

17. In conclusion • Are we addressing underlying causes & creating not easily reversible changes? • Strengthening inherent capability (Knowledge, Skills and information) • Increased self-esteem, confidence • Mutual trust & social capital • Improved HH wellbeing • Concrete changes in roles & relations at HH & community levels • Changes in the way women are perceived and are integrated into society • Changes in attitude and behaviors • VSLA members having concrete contributions socially and politically

18. Cont…… • Tangible gain in financial capital, but are we optimizing this? • Need to give women skills to manage their economic investments & productivity • Need to develop linkages with strategic partners; microfinance, SACCOs • Find diverse income generating activities, increase access to market & marketability of products • Need to improve women’s control over income, assets & resources • A model that is suitable for engaging with youth/ girls • Do more to engage men –large scale but focused, also engage boys & young men

19. Cont…… • What gaps should we need to address/ strengthen? • Commitment to a specific impact group in a holistic manner & over a long time • Need to be aware of the underlying assumptions behind Poverty reduction - Women’s human rights – Economic growth goals • Better define our added value • Target the men in the lives of the women in our impact group • Think in terms of couples • When targeting men be clear about your intents, strategies and expected outcomes • Seek out the right partners; other actors in our operational areas and seek cooperation • Strengthen link with government – we are not there to replace them

20. Cont…… • Sustained & focused advocacy strategy • Explicit strategies to support women’s ability to protect individual & collective interest at different levels • More work at the level structures (especially with men on decision making positions) • Strengthen monitoring system to identify gaps in a timely manner • Strengthen use of qualitative methodology to better capture process of change • Create the room to get regular feedback from community • Continue with similar participatory reviews & cross-fertilization between COs/programs • Better institutionalize lessons learnt, capacity built

21. Plans ahead • Baseline • MTR • Endline • Similar approach as baseline • More follow up on quality • Qualitative part done by country team • Quantitative data collection, storage; & analysis done centrally through standardized approach • New phase • Clearer M&E plans; with clearer goals & targets • More systematic capacity building objectives of CARE & partners • More focus on social & political empowerment