Main Directions of the Project

Project “Gender and Politics in South Caucasus” is aiming to work in several main directions and in order to achieve best results till the end of 2007 it is divided with seven main components.

Permanent structures established within government for gender equality and the advancement of women

• Support establishment and capacity building of permanent structures; Gender Equality Council within the Parliament;
• Training, capacity development and technical assistance to the institutional mechanisms established;
• Networking and cooperation and exchange experience with similar bodies.

Gender responsive national legislation and specific gender policy

• Support to the Development of National Policy on Gender Equality;
• Research on existing laws, including recommendations on needs for revision and amendments of legislation;
• Support to drafting of necessary revisions and amendments of laws;
• Development of gender indicators and checklists.

National Action Plan on gender equality and the advancement of women

• Provide gender expertise to support the preparatory process;
• Support working sessions and dialogue groups to discuss the draft versions of the NAP;
• Support working groups developing Action Plans for select regions.

Capacity and competence on gender equality in state structures

• Train/support training of civil servants in relevant positions within government structures;
• Develop package of recommendation on gender responsive budgeting in ministries;
• Support gender awareness training and introductory gender concepts and strategies;
• Support gender training on gender mainstreaming concepts, and gender budgeting, as well as gender responsive planning and monitoring;
• Support the State Department of Statistics by providing short-term advisors/experts to train staff and provide with modern technology and systems if necessary;
• Support development of systematic data collection in prioritized areas;
• Support printing and distribution of relevant statistics, booklets and brochures.

Improved gender equality and increased representation within political parties

• Support gender awareness-raising within political parties;
• Strategic lobbying and networking, and support to consensus-building in Parliament on these issues;
• Support women's groups/networks within and between political parties;
• Develop and implement training programme aimed at strengthening female politicians including leadership and communication skills, campaigning and fund raising.

Increased public awareness of gender equality issues

• Support PR development on gender issues, support/develop comprehensive media cycles on current issues or specific themes;
• Promote and fund research themes on topical issues relating to gender equality or innovative ideas and methods development emanating from grass-roots’ movements or organizations;
• Publish and disseminate existing gender thematic works.

Regional cooperation among NGOs and Governments in the South Caucasus

• Identify existing regional networks and joint initiatives, facilitate to establishment of gender network, or build on existing ones;
• Organize series of conferences, workshops, and trainings. Invite experts and practitioners on peace and conflict resolution etc;
• Organize regular meetings and visits within the programme and form dialogue groups;
• Develop joint projects within the programme when relevant;
• Increase information exchange including methodology and techniques, empirical evidence and more specific experiences.