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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is fully aware of the repercussions on lives across the continent. We are sending out this message of solidarity to all our partners whose lives have been disrupted as a result of lock-down or restrictions in freedom of movement, and those who may have been directly exposed to the virus.

At AWDF we are taking measures to ensure that our staff and grantee partners stay safe and are not exposed to undue risks. The Senior Management Team is in regular contact on this, is following official health advice, and is also responding to needs as they emerge and as the nature of the health emergency itself changes.

For a start, all AWDF events, capacity building trainings, and site visits have been suspended until the end of May when we will review the situation.

As a feminist organisation, we emphasise the need for flexibility and recognise that these disruptions can have an adverse impact on grantee activities that are currently running. We encourage grantees whose work is being affected by this crisis to get in touch with their grants officers at AWDF to discuss options.

As we witnessed through the work of our brave grantees in the Mano River region responding to the Ebola outbreak, we know that African women’s collective action is a crucial and often overlooked frontline of response to health emergencies at community level. We stand as always in solidarity with these efforts, and encourage us to retain this spirit of collective solidarity particularly as COVID-19 may require of us to self-isolate and practice social distancing.

We’re in this together.

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À la suite de la pandémie COVID-19, le Fonds Africain pour le Développement de la Femme (AWDF) est pleinement conscient des répercussions du virus sur les vies à travers le continent. Nous adressons donc ce message de solidarité à tous nos partenaires dont la vie a été perturbée en raison du confinement, des restrictions à la liberté de circulation et/ou à ceux qui ont été infectés par le virus.

À l’AWDF, nous prenons des mesures pour nous assurer que notre personnel et nos partenaires bénéficiaires soient en sécurité et ne s’exposent pas indûment aux risques. L’équipe de gestion est vraiment concerné par ce sujet, suit les conseils sanitaires officiels et répond activement à tout besoin au fur et à mesure que l’état d’urgence change.

Pour l’instant, tous les événements de l’AWDF tels que les formations sur le renforcement des capacités et les visites de terrains ont été suspendus jusqu’à la fin du mois de mai 2020, date à laquelle nous ferons le point sur la situation.

En tant qu’une organisation féministe, nous insistons sur le besoin de flexibilité et reconnaissons que ces perturbations peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur les activités en cours. Nous encourageons donc les bénéficiaires dont le travail a été affecté par cette crise à prendre contact avec leurs responsables de subventions à l’AWDF pour discuter des options.

Comme nous l’avions témoigné nous même à travers le travail de nos courageuses bénéficiaires dans la région du fleuve Mano en réponse à la pandémie Ebola, nous savons que l’action collective des femmes africaines est très importante et cruciale durant cette période mais souvent négligée aux urgences sanitaires aux niveaux communautaires. Nous sommes fières et apprécions ces efforts et nous sommes appelés à conserver cet esprit de solidarité collective surtout en ce moment ou COVID-19 pourrait nous obliger à s’isoler et à pratiquer la distance sociale.

Sachez que nous partageons vos peines.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
The main objective of the assignment is to design and layout the AWDF 2019 Annual report which covers major activities undertaken in 2019 across the organisation and key financial and statistical data about the organisation. The assignment includes providing a strong, visually appealing and dynamic graphic layout of the 15 page report, capturing AWDF’s brand and essence. The consultant will produce a web-ready (pdf) document for AWDF’s 2019 Annual Report, and submit the design concept and key design assets (fonts, key graphic elements) for future usage.

SCOPE OF WORK
The tasks of the consultant include:
• Initial discussion with AWDF team on annual theme and direction of design
• Draft concept for the design of the AWDF 2019 Annual Report including at least 2 options for design approach and colour scheme
• Design and layout 1 Annual Report document (approx. 15 pages of word text with hyperlinks, images, and tables/ infographics
• Conduct adjustments/edits based on review by AWDF staff and guide editors.
• Submission of final web-ready version (PDF) and the core graphic elements (fonts, illustrations and other design elements developed).

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The designer shall be required to submit the final design within 3 weeks of the assignment starting.

Deadline: 27 March 2020.

To apply, please click here

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
AWDF is seeking to engage a consultant to write the AWDF 2019 Annual report which covers major activities undertaken in 2019 across the organisation along with key financial and statistical data. The assignment includes providing a strong, visually appealing and dynamic graphic layout of the 15 page report, capturing AWDF’s brand and essence.

CONSULTANTS PROFILE
The consultant should have:
•University degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or field relevant to the work
• Proven experience in report writing evidenced by at least one sample of work
• Demonstrated research skills and excellent writing skills in English
• Knowledge of women’s rights in Africa is essential; experience of producing reports for African women’s organisations is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible attitude
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines
• Commitment to AWDF’s values of feminist leadership, accountability, diversity, respect and solidarity.

Qualified African women candidates are encouraged to apply

Submissions must be received no later than 23 March 2020.

To Apply, please click here

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As the world marks the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a growing number of feminists inside and outside of government are pioneering new approaches to policy that are tailored to address the issues of the day and advance new ground in the global quest for gender equality and the fulfilment of women’s human rights.

Today’s most pressing issues, and the solutions that are envisioned, are not radically different from those addressed at Beijing. The context, however, has changed. Despite measurable progress in girls’ education, maternal health and, increasingly, the repeal of discriminatory laws, there are new and dynamic challenges that threaten to reverse progress and rollback rights.

At this moment of increased nationalism, populism and misogyny, it is time to call out backlash and call in new allies and champions for gender equality and women’s human rights, using all the tools at our disposal. Feminist foreign policy is one tool that shows promise for taking a much-needed, intersectional and often multilateral approach to women’s rights, simultaneously addressing urgent issues such as climate change, peace and security, inclusive growth, global health and poverty alleviation.

Read more here

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Alors que le monde célèbre le 25e anniversaire de la Déclaration et du Programme d’action de Pékin, un nombre croissant de féministes, tant parmi les gouvernements qu’à l’extérieur, sont à l’avant-garde de nouvelles approches politiques conçues pour répondre aux problèmes et faire des avancées dans la quête mondiale pour l’égalité des genres et la réalisation des droits fondamentaux des femmes.

Les problèmes actuels les plus urgents et les solutions envisagées ne sont pas radicalement différents de ceux traités à la conférence de Pékin. Cependant, le contexte a changé. Malgré des progrès mesurables dans certains domaines, tels que l’éducation des filles, la santé maternelle et, de plus en plus, l’abrogation des lois discriminatoires, nous faisons aujourd’hui face à de nouveaux défis qui menacent d’annuler les progrès accomplis et de faire reculer les droits.

En cette époque où le nationalisme, le populisme et la misogynie s’accroissent, il est temps de dénoncer les réactions hostiles et de chercher de nouveaux/elles alliés/es et défenseurs/euses de l’égalité des genres et des droits fondamentaux des femmes, en utilisant tous les outils à notre disposition. Alors que les défenseurs/euses de la justice de genre du monde entier se préparent à honorer l’héritage de Pékin et à lancer la prochaine génération d’engagements pour faire progresser l’égalité des genres, la politique étrangère féministe est un outil qui semble prometteur pour l’adoption d’une approche nécessaire, intersectionnelle et souvent multilatérale des droits des femmes, abordant simultanément les questions pressantes, telles que le changement climatique, la paix et la sécurité, la croissance inclusive, la santé mondiale et la réduction de la pauvreté.

En savoir plus? Cliquez ici

BACKGROUND TO THE CONSULTANCY

As part of our capacity building and donor advocacy roles, AWDF has embarked on a process to encourage African women’s funds, allied philanthropic actors, and the African women’s organisations that we support to engage with the growing field of knowledge production and programme development and implementation around evidence-based prevention of violence against women. In partnership with Raising Voices we have produced a primer for African women’s organisations that helps explain the key research, evidence and the language used to frame evidence-based prevention of violence against women.

As follow up to this we are now looking to develop a guide to knowledge production and evidence generation for African women’s rights organisations. Through this initiative we aim to help increase African women’s organisations ability to contribute to the citable literature around evidence-based prevention of violence against women, grounded in an African feminist politics.

LOCATION

• This consultancy is desk based and will not involve travel

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• The assignment shall be for up to 12 working days including submission of final document.

Qualified African women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Submissions must be received no later than 23^rd March 2020

For details on mode of application, please click here

AWDF requires the services of a Bi-Lingual Communications Assistant for a short term contract. The consultant must have at least two years of experience in the field of public information, online marketing or similar environment. The assignment shall be for a period of 6 months.

Competencies:
Fluency (written and spoken) in English and French
Knowledge of graphic design will be an asset
Excellent communication skills – written and oral
Good knowledge of key social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Ability to prioritise work to meet goals and objectives within acceptable time frame
Sound knowledge of women’s rights issues

For more details about this position and how to apply; click here

Deadline: 28th February 2020

1. About AWDF

The African Women’s Development Fund was established in June 2000, as an Africa-wide philanthropic, grant making initiative to support the realisation and fulfilment of African women’s rights through funding of autonomous women’s organisations on the continent. AWDF believes that if women and women’s organisations are empowered with skills, information, sustainable livelihoods, opportunities to fulfil their potential, plus the capacity and space to make transformatory choices, then we will have vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities. To achieve this, AWDF mobilises financial, human and material resources to support local, national, and regional initiatives for transformation led by African women. AWDF is mandated to fund in all 54 African countries.

AWDF’s current strategic plan “Shaping the Future” (2017-2021) focuses the organisations work around investments to build the best possible future for women in Africa. As an organisation AWDF is committed to changing the narrative around Africa women, and highlighting African women’s agency, expertise, leadership and ability to transform societies towards justice.

2. Background

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) recognises the role effective information technology (IT) plays in the development of any business. To ensure that it has an IT infrastructure that is supportive of its current and future business activities and promotes safety of its data, AWDF is looking for an IT expert who would audit its current IT capacity and guide the organisation through modernisation of its systems and approaches.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The overall goal of the IT expert through this assignment is to;

Audit AWDF’s current IT operations, policies and procedures.

This process is aimed at understanding AWDF’s current IT strengths and weaknesses to map out where the opportunities for growth are. The IT audit will;

• Examine and evaluate the organisation’s information technology infrastructure
• Evaluate the systemsand processes in place for data security and business continuity
• Determine whether the current IT controls protect AWDF’s assets and ensure data integrity in line with the organisation’s overall goals.
• Determine risks to AWDF’s information assets, and help identify methods to minimise those risks.
• Examine whether the organisation’s informationmanagement processes are in compliance with current IT-specific laws, policies and standards.
• Determine any inefficiencies in IT systems and provide associated recommendations.
• Diagnose challenges relating to the operation of all software, computer equipment, peripherals, operating systems and the networking environment and provide relevant advice.
• Advise on way forward to protect the organisation’s data
• Submit a comprehensive report on the assignment detailing strengths, issues identified and recommendations to address weaknesses identified.
• Develop a draft IT strategy and policy for AWDF

For the entire TOR please click here

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At AWDF, grant making is a courteous, caring, professional and transparent process that reflects our feminist values of respect, inclusive diversity, stewardship and professionalism, integrity and transparency.

OUR WHISTLEBLOWING SYSTEM is aimed at preventing, detecting and investigating fraud, corruption, misconduct and malpractice. It encourages staff and other partners to raise concerns about possible fraudulent or corrupt behaviour rather than overlook them for fear of retaliation.

READ OUR WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY HERE

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To mark 16 Days of Activism this year, AWDF and her grantee partners are lending a voice to support the global campaign on ratification and implementation of the new ILO Convention 190 and recommendation 206 to end gender based violence in the world of work.

Under the thematic area of Body and Health Rights, AWDF has supported a number of women’s rights organisations in Africa to mobilise for the protection of women’s rights and an end to violence in the informal economy and in domestic work.

African women are the backbone of African economies, performing labour to sustain themselves, their families, communities and countries. However, this labour often takes place in precarious conditions, with low pay, lack of recognition or protection, and frequent violations of women workers’ human rights.

The Institute for Social Transformation, Uganda with the support of AWDF is working to strengthen the voices, visibility, and collective organising power of women in four selected markets in Uganda.

Informal markets are of high interest to politicians and government officials, who derive easy money and support and therefore influence decisions such as who occupies leadership positions in such spaces. Women cannot easily occupy the most influential positions (e.g., Chairpersonship) because they are perceived to be incapable or temperamental.

The intervention by IST resulted from a research conducted in 2016 which revealed that there is no clear regulatory framework for informal markets in Uganda. This has exposed market women to violence and exploitation and yet they are the majority market occupants (80%). The study also revealed that 59% of market women interviewed had experienced some form of violence with the most prevalent form being physical violence at 47%.

IST empowered over 300 market women within the four selected markets with capacity support and mentorship which provided market women with relevant knowledge in managing their businesses and also to advocate for favourable local government market policies and working environment. Hear their testimonies:

“After the training I received from IST, I was able to educate 9 women and together we formed a savings group that contributes 5,000 Shs per day per member for purposes of accumulating capital for each other through cash rounds.” Naura Miriam- Nakawa Market

“Before the training I sold tomatoes and was satisfied with the sales but after the training, I realised the need to expand the business so I used some of the profits from the tomato business to enrol for training in liquid soap making. Today I am a happy person, I am not scared even if the price of tomatoes goes down because I know I have a backup income thanks to IST,” said a market entrepreneur from Kalerwe freedom market.

“The training has enabled me to gain confidence to speak to customers and to confront market authorities if I feel I am not being treated fairly. Previously, I would just sell the items quietly but today while the customer buys, I keep telling them about why they should buy from me, and I even ask them for their contact so I can follow up to check if they liked the product,” Hellen, a market entrepreneur from Busia market.

By: Rose Buabeng, Programme Officer for Anglophone Africa, AWDF

The year was 2006. HIV-activist Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, known to the public only as Khwezi, faced off against Jacob Zuma, then the deputy-president of South Africa, in court. She had accused him of rape. She stood her ground amidst death threats from Zuma’s supporters, harassment from the ANC Women’s League and widespread torment from the ruling party. She was not alone in her stand. The 1-in-9 Campaign was born during this particularly turbulent, triggering time in South Africa. Zuma, who would go on to become President of South Africa, was acquitted on the charges against him. The organisation, however, continued to support survivors of sexual violence in navigating the social landscape and the criminal justice system. According to popularly cited statistics, one in three women will experience sexual violence in her lifetime. According to the South African Medical Research Council, only one in nine rapes are reported to authorities. It was, initially, the latter group that the organisation supported.

Mpumi Mathabela is the 1-in-9 Campaign coordinator. She says despite the impact they were making through their work within the criminal justice system, there came a day when they realised that that was not enough. “Our name is a statistic from that time period – the time of Zuma and Khwezi – and it was a work that was incredibly impactful. We got to a point where when people did not see us outside court they would call and ask where we were.” More needed to be done.

“Only one in nine women report their rape to the police. So one woman reports. One woman we go to court with. One woman we push for the justice system to do its job. One woman. Just one in nine.”

Sheshakes her head. “But what about the other eight…” The question hangs in the air as the magnitude of the statement sinks in.

“What happens to the other eight? Are they silent?”

The answer, she says, is of course not. “They are simply speaking out in their own ways. We have progressed from working with that one in the criminal justice system to branching out to the other eight too. This is our shift. We are reintroducing and redefining feminist movement building, but we are not just focusing on the one woman who makes it to court anymore.”

To read the rest of this incredible profile and see how 1 in 9 is helping impact the lives of survivors, click here.