Gender Equality Policy

Transcription

1 Gender Equality Policy Developed by AQOCI s Comité québécois femmes et développement Approved by the Board of Directors on April 26, 2013

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 2 Context... 5 Goal and Objectives... 7 Our Principles... 9 Our Approach Our Commitments Annex : Glossary We would like to thank the members of the Comité québécois femmes et développement (Quebec Committee for Women and Development) that supported the gender audit process and the subsequent development of AQOCI s gender policy : Debbie Bucher, Evelyn Déry, Odette McCarthy (CECI), Marie Ginette Bouchard, Dimitrina Raby (YMCA), Roxana Robin (AIPE) and Lina Demnati. We are also grateful to Linda Gagnon (SUCO), AndréAnne Cloutier (Crossroads International) and Myriam Gervais (Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies at McGill University) for their assistance in revising the text. The project was coordinated by program managers Anne Delorme and Julie Martineau, supported by communications manager Nathalie Des Groseilliers. The Policy was drafted and translated to English by Lauren Ravon, a consultant from Oxfam Canada. Coordinated by : Anne Delorme, Julie Martineau, Nathalie Des Groseilliers (AQOCI) Graphic designer : Anne-Marie Lemay-Frenette Photo credit : Romain Bihoré July 2014 AQOCI s Gender Audit and Gender Policy was and the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). We would also like to thank the 27 organisations who graciously agreed to be interviewed in the gender audit. These organizations shared their thoughts and perspectives on how gender equality is taken into account and mainstreamed within their own organisations and provided recommendations on how AQOCI can better support these processes. These interviews provided the foundation for this gender policy and its action plan. Broadcasters (AMARC)

3 introduction The Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) has a longstanding commitment to gender equality of Principles, and in the Quebec Declaration on the Contribution of Quebec Civil Society to International Solidarity. Thanks to the work of its Comité québécois femmes et développement (Quebec Committee for Women and Development), established in 1984, AQOCI is recognized for its gender expertise within the international development sector in Quebec and Canada. Building on these strong foundations, AQOCI has now decided to take its commitment to gender equality and women s rights to the next level, and to embrace a strong feminist identity. The eradication of poverty and the fair distribution of resources cannot be achieved without radically addressing power relations between men and women. By embracing a feminist identity, AQOCI is clearly stating that patriarchy and all forms of gender discrimination must be tackled head on if we are to build solidarity and equitable relations amongst all peoples. This is a long-term endeavor and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us, both in the North and in the South. AQOCI wishes to contribute to building a world in which the rights of women and girls are respected, men and women are treated equally, and women s movements are fully recognized as key civil society actors. By adopting this policy, the Board of Directors has expressed its renewed political commitment to advancing gender equality. This policy is intended to serve as an institutional lever and a tool for dialogue with its members and partners. The Board of Directors wishes to give AQOCI the means to more systematically mainstream gender throughout its programs, and to better support its members so that they can contribute to advancing the rights of women and girls in the Global North and the Global South. A intituler: Vietnam, 2004; Crédit : Patrick Alleyn In order to develop the content of this policy, a sub-committee of the CQFD ran a gender audit between October 2012 and January 2013 to assess the extent to which gender was Les femmes gagnent en moyenne un salaire inférieur de 23 % à celui des hommes. integrated across AQOCI s structures and programs, and to identify the needs of its members. [ONU Femmes. (2012). Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement. Égalité des sexes : Tableau des 2

4 Gender Equality Policy This participatory process galvanized the AQOCI Secretariat, Board of Directors, and 27 member organizations that took part in the gender audit, and brought about an increased awareness and strengthened commitment to gender equality. An Action Plan has been developed to ensure that this policy brings about tangible changes within our network. This plan outlines how our strengthened commitment to gender equality will translate into practice, with new initiatives planned for 2013 and beyond. We hope that this policy will inspire other networks and international development organizations in Quebec, Canada and elsewhere in the world to adopt policy statements to ensure a sustained commitment to advancing gender equality. On behalf of the AQOCI Board of Directors and management team, Denis Labelle Chair of the Board of Directors Michèle Asselin Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors Gervais L Heureux Executive Director * All words written in blue italics 3

5 Le Comité québécois femmes et développement (CQFD) The UN Decade for Women, from 1976 to 1985, gave rise to a number of international conferences on women (Mexico, Nairobi and Copenhagen) and spurred the gender equality movement to achieve true global recognition. Spurred on by the debates and initiatives arising on the international scene, Nicole Riberdy (Entraide missionnaire), Monique Lortie (Crossroads International), Monique Bernard (Women s Committee of the Union des Producteurs Agricoles du Québec) founded the CQFD (Quebec Committee for Women and Development). Its guiding charter was approved by AQOCI s Board of Directors and at its General Assembly in The CQFD, which is coordinated by AQOCI, is currently composed of approximately sixty members. The majority represent AQOCI member organizations, although there are also several individuals from a range of sectors : the women s movement, academia, unions, and community groups. For the past three decades, the CQFD has been a space for critical thinking, dialogue, exchange and expertise on all issues related to gender equality in the international development sector, both in the Global North and the Global South. In 2009, the CQFD established a community of practice (Gender in Practice) to come up with new ideas both theoretical and practical for how to mainstream gender in international development organizations and programs. The CQFD provides AQOCI member organizations the opportunity to : development work. (symposiums, workshops, partner tours with women from the Global South, etc.). international scene. international development projects. A intituler: Vietnam, 2004; Crédit : Patrick Alleyn Les femmes gagnent en moyenne un salaire inférieur de 23 % à celui des hommes. internationally. [ONU Femmes. (2012). Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement. Égalité des sexes : Tableau des 4

6 Gender Equality Policy context international norms, especially since the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All and the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in Nonetheless, discrimination against women and girls still plagues all spheres of society, and sexist norms and traditions live on despite progress on the legal front. Being a woman remains a persistent and pernicious predictor of poverty and powerlessness in our world today. Around the world, women are more likely than men to live in poverty. They are less educated, more likely to go hungry, and under-represented at all levels of decision making. The impacts of poverty are more pronounced among women and girls because of sexual stereotypes and the sexual division of labour, their disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work and household chores, their unequal access to productive resources, and their marginalization from decision making. Women and girls are also more likely to be affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises because of their inferior social status. dropout and illiteracy rates remain higher for girls than for boys 1. Women still struggle to access paid employment, are overrepresented in part-time and temporary employment, and continue to be paid on average 23 % less than men 2. Women account for only 20 % of all parliamentarians worldwide, and occupy only one fourth of all senior management positions in the private sector 3. Although 115 countries now recognize equal land rights, women still own less than 10 % of the world s land 4. Estimates show that one in three women is married before the age of 18 ; this has a direct impact on girls schooling rates and increases the risk of early pregnancy. Maternal mortality rates have dropped by almost 50 % globally since 1990, but approximately 800 women still die from preventable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth every day. Ninety nine percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries 5. Violence against women is a scourge that affects all segments of society, both North and South, and prevents women from reaching their full potential. The United Nations estimate that one in three women worldwide has been raped, beaten or sexually assaulted at least once in her lifetime. More than 600 million women live in countries where domestic violence is still not considered a crime. 1. UN Women Progress of World s Women : In Pursuit of Justice. New York : UN Women. 2. UN Women The Millennium Development Goals Report Gender Chart UN Women The Millennium Development Goals Report UN Women

7 Women are paid on average 23 % less than men. [UN Women The Millennium Development Goals Report Gender Chart

8 Gender Equality Policy Goal and objectives commitment to gender equality and is determined to increase its capacity to promote women s rights. The ultimate goal of this policy is to contribute to a world where relations between men and women are equal, both in the North and the South, and where women and girls can play a leading role in advancing sustainable development and social justice. This policy aims to mobilize the AQOCI secretariat and its member organizations in favour of gender equality. AQOCI recognizes that in order to advance women s rights and tackle sexism, mainstream gender in its own structures, internal ways of working and programs. members of the AQOCI team must fully embrace these values themselves. The purpose of this policy is to guide AQOCI throughout this process. This policy is also intended to provide AQOCI with the means to better support its member organizations to promote gender equality in their programs, within their organizations and with their partners in the Global South. What is gender equality? Women and men enjoy equal conditions to exercise their rights, contribute to development implies that women and men have equal access to resources and power. While there is no one model that applies to all societies and cultures, gender equality always implies that women are able to participate in decision making that affects their lives and society as a whole. 7

9 Mali ; Credit : Laetitia Boudault, Uniterra, Program CECI and EUMC Ninety nine percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Fact sheet No. 347, Maternal Mortality 8

10 Gender Equality Policy Our Principles This Gender Equality Policy is rooted in the following principles : 1. Gender equality is both essential to the full realization of human rights and a pre-condition for achieving social justice. 2. The struggle against systematic discrimination against women and girls requires a deliberate effort and constant vigilance. commitment to defending and promoting the rights of women and girls. 3. Women and girls play an essential role in development which must be recognized and valued. The empowerment and full participation of women and girls in all aspects of society including participation in decision making and access to power is essential in both the Global North and the Global South. 4. Both men and women have an important role to play in challenging the institutions and mindsets that perpetuate gender inequality and sexism. True equality cannot be achieved without engaging men and boys. Not only is it essential to work with men and boys, but it is 5. The struggle to achieve gender equality must be intricately linked to the other forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, color, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability and political opinion. 6. Women s organizations and networks are essential development partners and must be empowered to play a leadership role within civil society, both in the Global North and the Global South. 9

11 Cour Suprême des États-Unis, 2010 ; Credit : Photo libre de droits Globally, women average just 9 percent of the police and 27 percent of judges worldwide. [UN Women Progress of World s Women : In Pursuit of Justice. 10

12 Gender Equality Policy Our Approach AQOCI has chosen a dual approach to advancing gender equality that relies both on gender mainstreaming and standalone work on gender equality. AQOCI will ensure that these two approaches are complementary and advanced in tandem. Gender mainstreaming : AQOCI is committed to ensuring that a gender analysis informs all of its structures, programs and communications. The Board of Directors, management team, personnel and members will mainstream gender from the design to the implementation of women are taken into account at all program stages, and that the results achieved equally Standalone work on gender equality : AQOCI is committed to maintaining a standalone gender equality program that reports to the CQFD and that can count on dedicated staff support with relevant gender expertise from the AQOCI Secretariat. AQOCI s approach is to stimulate Gender in practice community of practice on women s strategic interests, on the issues that focuses on promoting women s rights and building alliances with women s networks in the Global North and South. AQOCI encourages its member organizations to adopt this dual approach in their structures and partnerships with organizations in the Global South, i.e. to both support women s organizations and contribute to gender mainstreaming in mixed organizations. The CQFD is a central pillar of AQOCI s approach to gender equality : it helps deepen its feminist analysis of development and design innovative approaches to advancing gender equality within the international development sector. The CQFD helps maintain the membership s commitment to gender equality by creating spaces and opportunities for individuals to and programs. 11

13 Credit : OXFAM While disasters create hardships for everyone, women and children are disproportionately vulnerable. During natural disasters, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than are men. [Peterson K Reaching out to Women when Disaster Strikes. 12

14 Gender Equality Policy Accountability Strong political will is needed among AQOCI s management team, Board of Directors and member organizations to ensure that this policy is implemented; it cannot depend solely on the personal interest, commitment and goodwill of a handful of individuals. For this commitment to mainstreamed in the ways of working and organizational culture of the AQOCI Secretariat and as many member organizations as possible. That being said, staff engagement is equally critical. A shared accountability scheme must be put into place for AQOCI staff, management team, Board of Directors and member organizations. It is everyone s responsibility to ensure that the principles and commitments laid out in this policy are respected. dedicated gender equality position or program. Nonetheless, their management teams can encourage staff to familiarize themselves with this policy and develop one for their own organizations. They can also encourage them to make use of the tools developed by the CQFD, attend training sessions organized by AQOCI, and participate in other activities to increase their knowledge and awareness of gender equality issues. 13

15 Our Commitments AQOCI s commitment to placing gender equality at the heart of its structures, programs and support to members. In terms of its structure, AQOCI is committed to : Apply this Gender Equality Policy by putting in place concrete mechanisms, such as action plans, and measuring the achievement of stated objectives and commitments ; Strive to achieve gender parity within its Board of Directors ; Ensure gender parity among its spokespeople ; Be an equal opportunity employer and require that all employees, at all levels, have a commitment to and knowledge of gender equality ; Ensure respond to the needs of AQOCI staff and members, and to build knowledge and awareness of gender equality issues ; Support and promote the expertise and mandate of the CQFD by it with providing human and In terms of its programs, AQOCI is committed to : Develop alternative visions of development based on the experience of women s groups in the Global South and on feminist perspectives on development ; Systematically apply a gender analysis to all its programs, advocacy initiatives and public engagement campaigns ; 14 Audit genre AQOCI 2013 ; Credit : Elisabeth Cloutier

16 Gender Equality Policy Defend women s rights in all its position statements and ensure that its communications and public engagement work contribute to changing attitudes towards gender equality ; foreign policy, in Quebec and Canada, so that it advances gender equality ; Encourage Quebec and Canada s international aid programs to place a greater emphasis on women s rights and to offer targeted support to women s groups ; Build solidarity with women s movements and support feminist struggles, both in the Global North and the Global South. In terms of its support to members, AQOCI is committed to : Raise awareness poverty and the struggle for social justice ; Encourage its members to adopt gender equality policies and to put gender equality at the heart of their structures, communications and programs through both gender mainstreaming and standalone work on women s rights ; Provide trainings and tools on gender equality to its members to enable them to apply a gender analysis to their public engagement initiatives and development programs. Marche Mondiale des Femmes 2010 ; Credit : AQOCI Communauté de pratique 2009 ; Credit : Julie Martineau Conférence CQFD 8 mars 2010 ; Credit : Julie Martineau 15

17 ,QGLD &UHGLW 18 :RPHQ $VLD DQG 3DFLÀTXH The magnitude of the phenomena of female foeticide and girl infanticide in India, China and other parts of Asia has reached a critical level : Over 100 million women are now missing in Asia. [Working Group on the Girl Child, NGO Committee on the Status of Women Report: A Girl s Right To Live: Female Foeticide and Girl Infanticide. 16

18 Gender Equality Policy Montreal, Aminata Traoré, 2010 ; Credit : AQOCI [UN Women Progress of World s Women : In Pursuit of Justice. 17

19 Glossary TERM Empowerment DEFINITION Empowerment is a process whereby women, individually and collectively, become aware of how power structures impact their lives and gain the Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008) Gender Gender analysis it means to be a man or a woman, and the relationships between women and men, and girls and boys. These roles relate to the activities ascribed to women and men in any given society, and to the positions that women and men can hold. These roles are shaped by culture, tradition, politics and needs. They determine who has access to resources and opportunities, and create expectations and restrictions for both women and men. These roles are socially constructed and internalized through a process of gender socialization. They are not biologically determined and can therefore evolve and change. A gender analysis is the examination of social relations through the lens of gender played by women and men, and girls and boys, in any given societal context, within the home and society, in the workplace, and in the political and economic spheres. the differential impacts that programs and projects have on them. 18 Gender discrimination Gender equality Gender mainstreaming The systematic, discriminatory treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender, which denies them their rights, opportunities, and access to resources. Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008) Women and men enjoy equal conditions to exercise their rights, contribute to human potential. Gender equality implies that women and men have equal access to resources and power. While there is no one model that applies to all societies and cultures, gender equality always implies that women are able to participate in decision making that affects their lives and society as a whole. A strategy which aims to bring about gender equality and advance women s rights by taking account of gender equality concerns and building gender capacity and accountability in all aspects of an organization s policies and activities (including policy and program development and implementation, advocacy, organizational culture and resource allocation), thereby contributing to a profound organizational transformation. Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008)

20 Gender Equality Policy TERM Feminism Women and girls rights DEFINITION Feminism is both a political theory and practice, articulated by women who, after analyzing their situation, become aware of the discrimination they face and decide to become organized to eradicate it and transform society. Feminism is also a social movement that questions gender inequalities and tries to change them. Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008) The human rights of women and of the girl-child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community. United Nations (Vienna Declaration, article 18, 1993) Non-sexist writing A holistic approach to writing that aims to ensure that women and men are equitably represented in the text. Nonsexist writing is about more than avoiding the use of the masculine form to refer to both women and men : it is about giving equal visibility to women and men. Patriarchy Sexual division of labour Sex-disaggregated data Societal structures and practices that institutionalize male power (physical, social, economic, etc.) over women. Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008) There is a division of labour between men and women in every society, which is of any given household (e.g. sickness or absence of a family member). A gender income ; household up keeping ; activities and social services. Data and statistics that are collected and presented separately on men and 19

21 glossary (continued) TERM Violence against women Women s movements Women s strategic interests DEFINITION Any act of violence that can result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. This violence can take on different forms, such as violence ing for the purpose of forced labour or prostitution; forced and child marriage ; A group of people who work together to achieve a common goal: improving the status or situation of women. These groups may share common goals with feminist organizations, but do not necessarily identify as feminist. Oxfam International (Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008) status. They are long-term interests aimed at improving the status of women. Women s strategic interests may include : legal rights, access to participatory democratic processes, equal access to education, access to jobs, equal wages, protection against violence against women, and strengthened decision making power. Women s strategic interests can be met through awareness raising, mobilization. 20

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