How Development Policies, AE & Reforms can be aligned with GE/WE commitments

1. How Development Policies, AE & Reforms can be aligned with GE/WE commitments Can this be achieved? Presented by Norah Matovu Winyi July 2011

2. Outline of the Presentation • How alignment can be achieved • The common practices • The challenges • What needs to be done which is based on the findings of the multi- country research that FEMNET & ROA undertook in 20109 on implementation of PD & AAA • Conclusion

3. How can development policies & AE support financing for gender equality? • Policies on development in most African countries are articulated in: • the Constitution of the Country & other subsequent legislation; • National Development Plan & Implementation Strategies (PRSPs in some countries) – medium & long term • Sector Policies, strategies and Plans • Multilateral & Bilateral Agreements by governments with Development partners

4. Common Practices today ....... • Many African countries have undertaken constitutional reforms that have resulted in strengthening the legal regime that guarantees GE and women’s rights. • Subsequent Legislation & policy reviews are undertaken to align with the new Constitution. • This is an opportunity used to align policies on development with constitutional provisions to protect equal rights to development.

5. Common practices today …. • At Regional & Sub regional levels member countries sign up to Protocols, and other human rights instruments that have implications for policies for development at the national level – once they ratify they have the responsibility to domesticate and implement . • This is translated in legislation at national level and policy reforms where necessary. • The countries provide periodic reports on progress made/ actions & measures taken.

6. Common practices today ….. • A similar process happens at the international level – where member states of United Nations adopt internationally agreed instruments & development agendas. • The countries have to align their development policies & plans to deliver on these commitments – for example under the MDGs & CEDAW

7. The Challenge ….. • The challenge is that the common practices do not automatically yield the desired results. • There has to be deliberate efforts & political commitment • Capacity within relevant institutions to translate GE/ WE commitments into programs & plans that receive budget allocations for full implementation has to be enhanced.

8. The Challenge …… • Tangible outcomes & results have to be defined and indicators formulated that will facilitate the tracking of progress – for GE / WE - these include both quantitative & qualitative indicators – therefore require specialized skills to monitor. • Competing priorities & high levels of poverty in African countries usually relegate GE/ WE to lower level priority

9. What can be done? • Strengthening capacity to mainstream gender in the National Development Plan processes (PRSPs in some countries) of the various actors • Ensuring that concrete programs & actions that promote gender equality are proposed for financing in national, sector & institutional plans and budgets • Creating public awareness on the aid effectiveness agenda & its significance for Africa’s development agenda so as to build a critical mass of citizens’ demanding for implementation & accountability. • Building a constituency of women organizations working particularly at national level, to engage in the AE processes and monitoring of progress.

10. Example of what is already happening ……. • Promoting public awareness and nationwide mobilisation around the formulation of the National Development Plans (PRSPs in some countries). • Increased women’s rights groups’ capacities to participate, engage & influence development politics & policies, reinforcing the bridges with the women’s rights agenda. This is partly what organizations like FEMNET do – establish information sharing platforms; undertake research & engage in advocacy & capacity building

11. New Aid Architecture • The Paris Declaration emerged since 2005 as the benchmark for New Aid Architecture. • Together with AAA adopted in 2008, they aim to use alternative ways to make development aid effective & result – orientated • This has resulted into a series of partnership agreements in African countries with development partners (DPs) albeit these are at different levels of development & implementation.

12. New Aid Architecture • Full implementation of the PD & AAA has the potential to move beyond just achieving aid effectiveness to focus more on human rights-based development effectiveness. With this approach & using innovative means there is great potential to increase financing for gender equality at different levels – Rwanda case study • However, the OECD Survey findings & the FEMNET / ROA Research undertaken in 2010 indicate the process of implementation is too slow especially in areas that matter the most. – ownership, alignment, MFRs

13. New Aid Architecture • For example efforts to promote ownership through democratic and inclusive national processes for policy dialogue & formulation of development plans, setting out the priorities, the resource gaps & strategies for implementation have not necessarily increased financing for GE commitments.

14. New Aid Architecture • There is need for concrete outcomes with targets to achieve measured in quantifiable outcomes and those that relate to social transformation and enjoyment of people’s right to development (where people are empowered to be agents of change). • There should be clear, compulsory monitoring mechanisms to track progress made in achieving gender equality commitments.

15. New Aid Architecture • Reduce on the numeracy of structures initiated in in the last 5 years in an attempt to improve coordination, management & delivery of aid – reduce on the time spent in numerous meetings which are leading to delays in decision making • Reduce amounts of funding spent on management of aid & channel to programming & implementation

16. New aid Architecture • Continue to strengthen mechanisms for citizens’ participation & protect civil society space to engage and interface with governments & DPs at national & local government levels. • There has to be a stronger public support at different levels that demands for a responsive development system to women’s rights & gender equality commitments & good governance in public sector.

17. Other Actions …… • Target specific sectors which if mainstreaming gender succeeds have great potential to deliver on GE outcomes - like education, health, water & sanitation and agriculture • Build capacities across key sectors among top & middle level management in gender mainstreaming, programming & budgeting – experiential learning

18. Other Actions ……. • Fight Corruption – the recent case in Kenya of embezzlement of million of dollars in the education sector has far reaching implications for the aid and development effectiveness agenda. • The legal & justice system must work in the interest of the people – by bringing the most responsible public officers to be answerable & refund the money.

19. Other Actions …… • Document best practices & effective strategies from countries like Rwanda on how minimizing corruption in the public sector is contributing to financing for GE commitments & the results • Improve data management systems & institutions at national & local government levels & their linkages to track progress & use of public funds.

20. Other Actions ……. • Bring the aid effectiveness agenda into the UN processes under the Financing for development framework so that clear commitments can be made that are binding on all member states. • Continue to use the MDGs process to increase financing for GE – UN Women has to work closely with UNDP – to spearhead this agenda.

21. Conclusion …… • Aligning policies for development, aid effectiveness and reform with GE commitments – a political process which requires: • Committed & visionary leadership, • Functional development processes, systems & structures that are people- centred and committed to results • Vigilant & active citizens • Data management systems to track progress & effective strategies

22. Thank- You Contact details: P. O. Box 21756, Kampala, UgandaCell: +(254) 729 571 544 (Kenya)Cell: +(256)772 825 829 (Uganda)E-mail: nomir2002@yahoo.com peace.matovu@gmail.com