GENDER MAINSTREAMING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
We work on facilitating the integration of women in development and political processes. We support dialogues, advocacy for women’s and girls’ rights, developing research and indicators related to different aspects of gender dynamics, and capacity building for women leaders. We also advise clients on ensuring that their operations are gender mainstreamed, and to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders and community groups for the purpose. We also engage in research related to electoral norms and processes to advocate for better accessibility of women to political representation.
Our services in this field include:
Research & Analysis
Our team offers a range of research methodologies to study the status of women and girls, and to develop comparative frameworks to assess their conditions, especially in conflict zones.
We employ both quantitative and qualitative research tools, in addition to participatory tools, to map gender dynamics and understand the eco-system that impacts the lives of women and men.
We conduct research on the positions of different stakeholders concerning women rights; to support advocacy programs in maximizing women’s rights in political negotiations and policy making processes.
We provide in-depth reviews of policies to assess their impact on the lives of women and girls. We especially help stakeholders in the civil society to understand the implication - on women’s rights - of policies related to decentralization, elections, economic recovery, reconstruction, humanitarian operations, resilience planning, urban management, and legal reforms (on issues such as housing land and property).
Scenario Development
LUGARIT employs a range of tools to help stakeholders develop scenarios for political negotiations. We help clients map the political eco-system and devise alternative scenarios to engage other actors to maximize outcomes related to women’s rights.
We work with donors and implementing agencies to develop early warning systems and to predict risks affecting women and girls in conflict situations.
Advice
We support women groups and women led NGOs to reach out to women from across the political and social divides to build consensus on issues related to women's rights.
LUGARIT supports institutions, businesses, and civil society to gender mainstream their programs by conducting reviews into their policies and programs and to assess and recommend areas where they can improve their performance.
We provide support to local and national institutions to develop projects and programs related to women’s empowerment. We focus especially on demand side financial instruments that support women’s economic empowerment.
We provide advice for stakeholders working to develop guidelines, normative frameworks and guidance notes on gender mainstreaming policies, and we help them design communication and advocacy plans to disseminate their ideas.
Stakeholder Engagement
Our experts work closely with political stakeholders to support the emergence of women leaders and to develop political agendas that provide equal access for women to leaders.
We provide socially sensitive approaches to engaging women in contexts and societies that are not accustomed to the engagement of women in the public sphere.
Our team facilitates a wide range of track 1.5, track 2, and track 3 meetings bringing women into negotiations and dialogues on sensitive social and political issues. We especially work to link women across the three tracks of dialogue to create a critical mass that can influence policies and political negotiations.
Capacity Building
Our team provides training modules aimed to support women's political and economic development. We focus on both grassroot modules as well as modules aimed to give women leaders tailored knowledge on political and economic issues.
We work with women led CSOs and women focused CSO to develop their research and advocacy skills.
We support women political leaders to expand their competencies and skills during political negotiations and elections.
Monitoring & Evaluation
LUGARIT helps donors in reviewing the impact of their portfolios on the lives of women and girls. We develop monitoring and evaluation processes beyond the impacts of individual projects.
We offer comprehensive reviews of the externalities and harms that can be generated inadvertently by projects and programs and their impacts on the lives of women and the prospects of gender equality.
Our experts work with local governments, private sector, and civil society groups to establish monitoring processes to assess their progress towards their gender mainstreaming strategies.
We support local and national actors to develop their reporting on SDG 5 and CEDAW. We also support CSOs to develop shadow reporting on these issues.
Related Works
Year: 2022 - 2024
Client: UN Women
A research, facilitation, and outreach project aims to empower Syrian women in peace processes by enhancing the Women’s Advisory Board's capacity, expanding outreach to women leaders, and developing research for evidence-based policies on women's issues in Syria.
Date: 05 March 2024
An article explores the impact of gender dynamics on societies at war to derive a deeper understanding of how the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda can reflect its focus on women to shape a more nuanced analysis of conflict drivers. Analyzing territories from a gender lens, it argues for a more nuanced approach to peace negotiations to address the complex dynamics of conflict.
Date: 16-17 December 2023
We participate in The International Conference on Combating Violence Against Women and Girls in Syria, held in Brussels, and organized by the EuroMed Feminist Initiative and funded by SIDA. The conference focused on strategies to address VAWG in Syria, highlighting the need for legal reforms and women's participation in reconstruction efforts.
Date: 18-20 January 2023
The EuroMed Feminist Initiative hosted a three-day meeting in Paris, reviewing guidelines for gender-sensitive reconstruction in Syria. We joined with participants to advise on economic reforms. The meeting focused on integrating gender mainstreaming in Syria's reconstruction, covering economic, legal, social, and political aspects, setting a precedent for future initiatives.
Date: July 2021
Publisher: UN Women
A research report explores gender equality and women's rights in Syria, examining perceptions and realities in different regions. It identifies 8 key areas like security, legal rights, and social norms, revealing disparities in gender equality. Findings suggest internalization of inequalities and a shift towards women's public roles, offering insights for future support programs.
Date: 5-7 October 2020
At the high-level virtual conference "The Elders in conversation on women in mediation in the Arab world," held in Wilton Park, UK, over 60 participants discussed the critical role of women in Arab peace processes. Key themes included addressing systemic gender inequalities and enhancing women's roles in high-level mediation.
Date: 01 February 2012
An op-ed criticizes the deep-rooted medieval masculine values in Syrian society, highlighting the negative impact on women's rights. The piece emphasizes the need for genuine political discourse and legal reforms to ensure true democracy and freedom in Syria, advocating for women's rights beyond their portrayal as victims.