“Gender Sensitive Policy Development and Advocacy Strategies” Presented by Mr. Han Phoumin for the Cambodian Team trained by UNESCAP/UNIFEM

Presentation in two parts 1. Steps in Policy Development 2 Presentation in two parts 1. Steps in Policy Development 2. Steps in Developing An Advocacy Strategy

What is the problem? Macro level – is the PRSP pro-poor? If pro-poor, is it gender-responsive? How does specific issue (women garment workers & WTO) relate to other macro policy issues? – liberalization, lack of employment, rural development, HRD etc Cambodian Team Experience - difficult to identify mainstream issues Lack technical knowledge Focused on women Not “at the decision-making table” We need to: Define the problem clearly Understand broad macro policy context of the gender issue. Eg, in relation to PRSP, at macro level, the issue is not about women but about poverty. If it is gender blind it will not: address the needs of women and be successful in eradicating poverty Cambodia’s NPRS acknowledges poverty issues for women but the strategies are gender blind. Ie. They fail to address gender inequality. 3. For example; garment industry is here because of trade liberalization, GSP and MSN; garment workers come from rural areas because of lack of employment opportunities; they send half of their earnings back to their families in rural areas; garment workers are better educated than most women, but still only junior secondary level. 4. Cambodian Team’s Experience: It was hard to think at the macro level rather than at the more specific sectoral level because: Staff are technical officers in line ministries Women’s affairs is focused on women, staff lack understanding of macro policy In general, women’s ministries are not at the decision-making table. But in Cambodia, in August 2003, the MOWVA was invited to participate as one of the five priority ministries in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework. ie. To join the mainstream of macro economic policy making.

To identify best strategies Need: Engendered data Gender-responsive analysis by sex and other relevant socio-economic dimensions Gender-sensitive national staff Gender-sensitive international advisors and donors – especially for LDCs - especially when NOT considering women Identify several alternative strategies Evaluate pros & cons (gender perspective) Assess costs and benefits Select best strategy If the NPRS is genuinely pro-poor it will address the needs of women through targeted strategies. To identify the best strategies, we need data collected through gender-responsive methods that reflect women’s lives and needs as well as men’s; Gender-responsive analysis disaggregated by sex and other relevant variables; Gender sensitive people To identify the best strategy, we need to consider alternative strategies; compare pros and cons from a gender perspective; Assess costs and benefits. Select the optimum – best - strategy

Developing an advocacy strategy Step 1: Develop an Advocacy Map to identify: stakeholders roles of each stakeholder Beneficiaries Advocates Policy makers Programme implementation Monitoring & evaluation specific actions required of each stakeholder most effective advocates for each stakeholder Who has to do what? We used a Policy Map to show All stakeholders, their roles & interest The action needed from them to implement the policy Most effective advocates to target each one and / or the media (eg. Press, posters, personal approach etc) Who? – parliamentarians, trades unions and women workers, political parties, specific ministries such as Social Affairs & Labour, Women’s Affairs, National Institute of Statistics, NGOs We forgot about the media. Roles – see slide What actions? – eg. Lobby the Secretary State Ministry of Commerce to include the issue in an action plan Other ministries, parties, civil society groups to build support Ministry of Finance & Economy, Ministry for Women’s & Veteran’s Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Vocational Training & Youth Rehabilitation, ILO, NGOs, donors to mobilize resources Identifying a focal person to approach the Ministry of Commerce -

Developing an advocacy strategy (Cont) Step 2: Consultations with stakeholder groups To identify message to motivate stakeholder to act Evidence needed to support – “sell” - the message to that stakeholder Step 3: Identify medium to be used (lobbying? Media Campaign? Posters? etc) Step 4: Monitor implementation & results Consultation with beneficiaries is often left out. To motivate stakeholders to take the desired action, we need A short, clear and simple message adapted to the interests of each stakeholder Key data well presented (graphics not tables?), just a few pieces of data that will have an impact on the target A medium for presenting the message – poster, a lobbyist, campaign, a policy brief, policy analysis Monitor implementation and results has action been taken? If action has been taken, what was the impact? What is still needed?

National machineries for women & women’s NGOs have vital roles in advocacy & monitoring National Machineries must advocate with government Should also monitor performance to hold Government accountable for commitments to women under international conventions and also on stated policies. NGOs – can carry out advocacy with the general public more effectively than government can As representatives of civil society, should also be monitoring performance and impact to hold Government accountable to its constituencies