GENDER EQUALITY PROJECT - UNDP Afghanistan

OUTPUT 1: Policy development capacity of MoWA enhanced through the
establishment of WPDC for ensuring other line ministries to develop and implement
gender sensitive policies/strategies
The focus of Q2 was to deepen support to MoWA in order to improve its capacity as a policy maker
and an oversight body for mainstreaming gender in all Government initiatives. In order to
accomplish this objective, GEP supported and strengthened
Centre (WPDC) by establishing a networking mechanism which allowed WPDC to collect genderdisaggregated
data/information among the nine departments of MoWA 1 . WPDC, in collaboration
with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), prepared a comprehensive report which identified major
gender gaps based on data gathered through the networking mechanism in addition to existing
and available data in CSO. This report was shared with LMs to enable them implement NAPWA
indicators. GEP also assisted in institutionalizing the networking mechanism to ensure this
information was extended to the key LMs for an efficient implementation of the indicators of
NAPWA that have been developed by MoWA. The WPDC also formed an advocacy group within
MoWA which will work with MoWA to analyze the CSO statistical yearbook that is published
annually in order to raise the demand for sex disaggregated data for gender sensitive planning
and formulation of policies by key LMs. A comparative analysis of the statistical yearbooks of
2009/2010 and 2010/2011 was completed in collaboration with CSO and a diagnostic report was
prepared with recommendations for collecting and disseminating further sex-disaggregated data
by the LMs.
To strengt
other ministries, the WPDC also developed gender mainstreaming tools based on the needs
assessment survey of Q1 of Mo
n
Affairs (DoWA) in all 34 provinces. Some of these tools included: Gender Sensitivity Audit Guide,
Gender and Development Mainstreaming Framework and Perception Levels of Knowledge and
Commitment for mainstreaming gender in a systematic manner. These tools will serve as useful
guides for the LMs when implementing NAPWA indicators and ensure gender-specific
components are integrated into their major policies and programmes. The WPDC also completed
the gender analysis of the major policies / programmes of three LMs (MRRD, MoEc and MoHE) as
well as of two independent organizations (IDLG and IEC). These reviews provide MoWA with an
opportunity to guide the revision of existing policies/programmes and supervise the preparation
of new policy documents to make it more gender inclusive.
In addition, GEP continued with its support to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit of the
Ministry. The primary aim of the M&E Unit is to oversee the implementation of the NAPWA
indicators by the LMs. A draft of the M&E mechanism to facilitate this supervision has been
prepared which was revised after obtaining the comments of the senior officials of MoWA and was
re-submitted for the approval of the Deputy Minister - Technical, MoWA. As soon as it is approved
will be rolled out to the line ministries and the provincial offices for implementation and for this,
necessary documents such as information briefs, checklists, and other related documents have
been prepared. A set of guidelines for strengthening the functioning of the Gender Units of the
LMs were prepared and submitted to the senior officials of MoWA for approval.
During Q2, GEP also
management: report writing and communication skills, time management, office conflict
resolution among others. The objective of the training was to familiarize the participants with the
key components of management techniques that would equip them with the skills of an efficient
manager for performing their routine tasks in a professional manner. The training was received
very enthusiastically and the feedback received through an analysis of the evaluation forms of the
participants underpinned the need of organizing such training programmes at regular intervals.
1 Departments: Coordination and International Relations, Provincial Affairs, Training and Advocacy, Finance &
Administration, Economic Empowerment, Legal, Culture & Social Affairs, Human Resources, Coordination
Office of the Minister.
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