The evaluation process

• Planning (autumn 2009)• 11 case studies (2010)• Analysis and report (spring 2011)• Management Response (autumn 2011)• Develop new guidelines etc. (2012-)

Central African RepublicCameroon

IndiaGuatemala

EthiopiaBelarus

MongoliaCambodja

MaliBurkina Faso

China

Learning within SMC, member organizations and partner organi-zations about how to apply the Rights Based Approach to development, with a special focus on gender equality.

Purpose:

• What are the implications of different types of contexts for the application of the rights perspective (society, organization, rights holders)?

• How have the achieved results (or the failed results) been affected by the way in which the rights perspective has been applied? Which methods seem to have led to good results?

- Or both?

Needs vs. Rights

Mobilization and organization

Mongolia

Guatemala

”Through collective action the awareness of rights seems not only to grow in an almost organic way, but also, when successful, to create the foundation from where rights holders can feel empowered to take action”

Role models

”When targeting the poorest/most marginalised people it could be difficult to move on from a pure service delivery role. Extremely disempowered people need more time and support to build up confidence, hope and assertiveness. In such contexts more deliberate efforts are needed in support of mobilization and organization of rights holders.”

”It seems that results on both individual and organisational level are better in projects that have deliberately targeted and supported role models or change agents from the target group”

Claiming rights of others

“The limitations of a full implementation of the rights perspective due to extreme exclusion and marginalisation of individuals or groups that leads to lack of voice cannot be an argument for non-action. A rights-based approach should be applied as far as possible.”

“It is however clear that, although human rights are individual, the RBA allows legitimate representation in the processes towards their realisation. There is no conflict between representative democracy and human rights.”

Legitimacy and representation

”The local organisation or supported sub-groups have a human rights awareness/drive/ commitment of its own (staff, members, leaders) and is not only an intermediary or “administrator of cooperation funds”

Gradual development of a Rights Based Approach

Central African Republic

Analysis of power and gender

Intersectional approach

• Poor• Women• Boys• Young• Elderly• Homosexual• Hiv-positive• Disabled• Ethnic minorities

• Why do children don’t have access to education?

• Why do boys and girls don’t have access to education?

“equally strenghtened” “strenghtened to an equal level”

Men

Women

Decrease the power-gap

…then targeted actions that adresses structural causesare needed!

Gender and power analysis1. In which way is there a difference between men and women when it comes to power, possibilities and rights? • How many are men/women among the target group? How many boys/girls?• What access do men and women have to the decision making structures in

the community? Do BOTH men and women have access to influence decisions?

• What access do men and women have to different community assets e.g. land, employment, access to loans and saving, education/knowledge, time etc.?

• Are there any particular challenges/problems related to gender equality in the community? E.g. FGM, violence against women, lack of inheritance rights, forced marriage etc.?

Gender and power analysis2. What are the causes behind this? • Discrimination?• Social norms and behaviors?• Gender roles?• Traditional values?• Exclusion?• Legislation?• Duty bearers not fulfilling their obligations?

Gender and power analysis3. How to close the power gap? • Plan for measures to close the gap!

4. Deal with the causes!• Challenge the norms through discussions, theatre• Cooperate with actors with gender expertise, e.g. FIDA Kenya• Advocacy work

“But the men have not been approached to reflect on their willingness to share power. They are happy as long as the empowerment of women leads to increased household earnings or a healthier family. This is a so called functional empowerment of women; the focus is not on the rights of the women themselves. The women are rather seen as vehicle of development contributing to the rights of their children and relatives.”

Based on what you have heard about gender and power, and your own experiences of that, write down three recommendations about what could be included in SMC’s guidelines.

Based on what you have heard today in the presentations, and your own experiences, write down three recommendations about what could be included in SMC’s guidelines.

1. Working in challenging contexts2. Participation of vulnerable groups3. Gradual development of a Rights Based Approach/

Combining needs and rights.