Mid-Term Review of the AGIR Programme - Sida

2 F I N D I N G S
offices, since this area was considered strategic but still very weak in the organisation.
In the case of networks, whilst at the central level they can take the shape of an organisation
(see Forum Mulher), at the local level it is a fluid mechanism of coordination
of multiple organisations, with their initiatives, different strategic interests, resources
and capacities. In this situation, the allocation of resources to a network at the central
level can be less effective at the local level, since the fluid nature of linkages and mutual
responsibilities between the central-level network and the local-level organisations
that comprise a network increases the risk of the allocation of resources benefitting
only some organisations. Anecdotal evidence gathered in interviews shows that
in some cases, at the local level, networks exist thanks to activism of a coordinating
organisation that often uses its own resources to sustain the network.
2.5.3 Gender, HIV/Aids, and Human Rights Outcomes - AGIR and Cross-Cutting Issues
Within AGIR, cross-cutting issues in gender and HIV/AIDS are addressed at:
1) The partners organisational level; and
2) By partners in terms of activities relating to the general public, citizens, communities
as well as specific target groups under each of the four AGIR
themes.
Through joint capacity-building activities held by the four intermediaries, training
has been provided that usually focuses on awareness building. Most of this training
has been workshop-based and of a general standardised nature. In some cases, mainly
among those organisations with already existing gender practices (e.g. Akilizetho),
training was important to improve their approach on gender and was seen as an opportunity
to do some networking with other relevant organisations (WLSA and Forum
Mulher). This has led to concrete cooperation initiatives in the future.
While gender practices are generally strong in most partner organisations, including
those contacted by the review team, in general, capacity strengthening in mainstreaming
gender and HIV/AIDS has led to few results. Knowledge about these issues also
depends on the area of specialisation of the organisation. For example, knowledge on
gender is stronger in Forum Mulher and on HIV/AIDS in MONASO than in other
organisations (see Diakonia 2011 Annual Report). Gender mainstreaming seems to be
most widely integrated in partners’ planning instruments, although this integration
has been a slow process. Some CSO partners expect to have drafted or approved gender
policies by the end of 2012, including the following partners contacted by the
review team: AAAJC, CTV (Centro Terra Viva, Environmental Organisation) under
SCC.
The joint outcome matrix, filled in by the intermediaries, provides mostly generic
information. However Diakonia provides some quantitative measures, which may
illustrate the level of implementation of cross-cutting issue outcomes among their
partners, as does Oxfam’s annual report for 2011 (May 2012) in which it notes that
only 1 of11 partners have an approved gender policy and that 10 of 11 partners have
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