Africa women in development

The project will initially be implemented in 6-9 priority countries, most likely Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Mali, and Senegal. Candidates for later years include Swaziland, Madagasacar, Tanzania, Guinea, and Ghana. The project will be implemented by four long-term advisors -- one at each of the REDSO"s, the fourth in A.I.D./W -- assisted by short-term advisors. The regional advisors will: help ensure that activity designs maximize women"s participation and access to resources; design and/or undertake rapid rural appraisals to assess the scope of women"s participation in planned or ongoing efforts; locate and analyze gender-disaggregated data for use in program and project planning documents; and identify additional resources for more detailed attention to gender considerations. The Washington-based advisor will provide similar services, with a greater emphasis on coordination of assistance to the field. Training will be provided to key host country, PVO, and Mission staff. Much of the training will be on-the-job, e.g., analyzing gender-disaggregated data sets or developing gender-sensitive implementation plans with project teams. Some workshops will also be held. Where necessary and cost-effective, advisors will assist with developing scopes of work for baseline surveys and/or survey designs to ensure adequate attention to gender considerations. They will also assist target Missions in assuring that standard reporting documents include gender-disaggregated data. Quantitative targets include: improving WID databases in all 6- 9 target countries; completing gender assessments in at least 3 countries; completing project/program evaluations focusing on WID issues in all priority countries and in 3 others; and designing 30 projects with increased participation by women.