Gender equality is central to meeting the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, men and women alike, concludes a new ACT Alliance report launched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, a member of ACT, contributed two case studies to the report. In one of these, a Senegalese program that educates adolescent girls is challenging gender norms, young women are encouraged to form healthy relationships. As they increase in self esteem, they also become mentors to girls in their own neighborhoods. A second CRWRC study illustrates how women’s involvements in deep democracy projects in Kenyan conflict zones are building systemic, peaceful resolution.
Gender equality is central to meeting the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, men and women alike, concludes a new ACT Alliance report launched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, a member of ACT, contributed two case studies to the report. In one of these, a Senegalese program that educates adolescent girls is challenging gender norms, young women are encouraged to form healthy relationships. As they increase in self esteem, they also become mentors to girls in their own neighborhoods. A second CRWRC study illustrates how women’s involvements in deep democracy projects in Kenyan conflict zones are building systemic, peaceful resolution.
In all, “Clapping with Both Hands: 15 Studies of Good Practice in Promoting Gender Equality,” celebrates innovative ACT programs championed by brave women and men in 13 countries that have enhanced the voice of women in workplaces, government, and society at large.
“Gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the heart of the ACT Alliance vision for a better and more just world,” said general secretary John Nduna. “While there has been progress on gender equality in some countries, women in many parts of the world suffer from violence, discrimination, and under-representation in decision-making processes. He said that when a humanitarian crisis occurs, gender inequalities are thrown into relief even more acutely.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo for example, an estimated 1,000 women are raped each day, earning it the epithet, “rape capital of the world.” Soldiers are some of the main perpetrators of this crime, instilling fear and mistrust in communities across the country. The “Loving your enemies: working with soldiers to reform the army” case study describes how ACT member, Christian Aid, and its partner, the Central African Baptist Community, are training the army, judicial system, and communities in civilian rights and ending sexual violence to halt impunity.
“I feel proud of myself for speaking out about what he did to me, and I feel much more at ease knowing that he is being punished,” said one woman who was supported by ACT to press charges against her rapist.
By training soldiers, police officers, courts and community leaders, providing support to survivors of rape, and hosting symbolic reconciliation events, the innovative program has started to build new, more accountable relationships between soldiers and civilians. The result has been a dramatic decrease in the sexual harassment of women by soldiers.
"Clapping with Both Hands" highlights 14 more compelling gender projects that describe a range of programs, from peace-building to women’s political participation, and from sexual health campaigns to female-run micro-enterprises.
ACT hopes that these case studies will inspire development practitioners around the world and spark new energy for gender equality in different contexts. The report’s title, "Clapping with Both Hands," signifies the need for women and men to work together on strategies promoting gender equality and gender justice: that’s when the applause can really begin.
ACT Alliance is a global network of more than 125 member organisations working in long-term development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. Its members work in 140 countries and employ around 30,000 staff and volunteers. Alliance members strive for positive and sustainable change in the lives of people affected by poverty and injustice.
For more information about ACTAlliance, visit www.actalliance.org. The full gender equality report is also available.
For more information this report and CRWRC, please contact Jan Disselkoen, 905-336-2920 ext 284, or email [email protected].