Outcome ESA_D_2.3

The UN system in ESA region is coordinated, and coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls

With support from the RO, the UN System was strengthened in its capacity to implement the UN accountability tools for gender mainstreaming. The technical support provided to UNCTs, RCOs and GTGs also increased system wide coordination and results on GEWE in the ESA region. The support contributed to leveling up the quality of gender mainstreaming in UNCTs by increasing the number of UN staff with knowledge and skills to contribute to the implementation of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and UNCT Gender Equality Marker. The regional thematic UN interagency mechanisms were strengthened, through technical guidance and capacity building, to integrate gender and human rights dimensions in their respective priority areas. To this end, RO provided technical support in the training UN technical level staff from the six (6) countries developing new Cooperation Framework (Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Namibia and Sierra Leone) on the integration of the human rights-based approach (HRBA)/LNOB/GEWE Guiding Principles in the design of UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) cycle. Twenty-one (21) UNCTs were trained on the use of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and the Gender Equality Marker, further strengthening the capacities of UNCTs to implement the UN accountability tools for gender mainstreaming. The training elicited further requests to UN Women for country-tailored technical support and guidance in supporting the operationalization of Gender Theme Groups in Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and the annual and comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Scorecard reporting for Comoros, Mozambique, Kenya, Eritrea, Mauritius/Seychelles and Djibouti. With the strengthened technical capacity, Eritrea submitted their first ever UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard report. 7 countries submitted the comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard (UNCT-SWAP) in the past 4 years and met or exceeded at least 60% of the UNCT-SWAP standards; Botswana (CR 2021) Malawi (CR 2021) Uganda (CR 2020) Zambia (CR 2021) Rwanda (CR 2019) Zimbabwe (CR 2022) Tanzania (CR 2022) The revised GTG standards and procedures were rolled out during a capacity strengthening session targeting gender focal points of UNCTs from the entire continent including members of the Regional Gender Thematic Groups. The training was attended by 80 participants who included 32 from ESAR (16 countries). Agencies which participated included UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, PAM, FAO, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNW and RCOs/GTGs with particular representation of NRAs countries. The participant’s knowledge on the new standards was enhanced leading to a revamping of GTGs across the UNCTs. The Regional Office continued to lead/co-lead or participate as members of the following interagency mechanisms: Regional Gender Working Group (1) Regional Collaborative Platform (RDs level) (1) UNDCO Peer Support Group (1) OIBC (1) GIHA: R-GIHA, Africa WG on DRR (2) WEE: care platform for 2024-2025 (1) WPS: UN prevention strategy platform for the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes (2) Gender Stats: Africa programme on gender stats, inter-agency gender stats COP (2) RO, through the UNDCOs Peer Support Group supported the reviewing of three Cooperation Frameworks to support integration of gender mainstreaming during the review process (Angola, Malawi and Mauritius/Seychelles). Following the technical review process, the CFs have integrated gender dimensions at outcome level. On the humanitarian front, the RO, through provision of technical support and capacity building, strengthened WLOs engagement and influence in humanitarian action. 24 WLOs were trained leading to increased knowledge for WLOs on how humanitarian systems works, communication and advocacy, fund raising and setting up of governance systems among others. Of the 24 WLOs trained, three WLOs (Women Initiative For Development Organizations- WIDO from South Sudan, CO-ACT 1325 from Uganda, Overcomers from Uganda) have utilized their enhanced capacities by cascading the training to their countries and participating in humanitarian work at their local level as well as advocacy initiatives for gender mainstreaming within humanitarian actions. One of the Organizations from Uganda (CO-ACT 1325) was part of the Global Refugee Forum to advocate for gender issues. A significant development for the Horn of Africa, the Secretary-General's Executive Committee convened on 21 December and officially endorsed the revised UN Prevention and Integration Strategy for the region. The substantive input provided by UN Women played a pivotal role in shaping the strategy, particularly in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and integrating gender considerations. This strategic approach positions the UN to adopt a two-pronged approach in advancing the WPS agenda within the strategy's implementation: 1) WPS as a stand-alone priority under the revised pillar on regional peace and security and governance, emphasizing its intrinsic importance; and 2) Mainstreaming gender and the WPS agenda across all pillars and priority areas, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to address the unique experiences, needs and priorities of women in the Horn of Africa region. This deliberate strategy ensures that gender and WPS agenda are integrated in the UN strategy, amplifying the impact of UN efforts, and collectively contributing to the overarching goal of fostering peace, security, and inclusive and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.

The UN system in ESA region is coordinated, and coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls

N/A

The UN system in ESA region is coordinated, and coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls

The RO's support to the UN system (UNCTs, RCOs and GTGs) was aimed at orienting them on the application of UN tools and guidance (SWAP-Scorecard, the Gender Equality Marker and the Gender Theme Group Standards and Procedures ) to improve integration of gender considerations in the implementation of UNSDCFs and other joint UN plans. In this first year of reporting, the UN system can be characterized as having knowledge and user level competencies to apply these tools and guidance to make their work better coordinated, coherent and systematic. The skilling of UN Women M/CO staff on corporate gender equality tools is also expected to provide in country expertise that the UN system can draw on. A survey of all the UNCTs engaged in 2023 will provide more details on the extent to which the skills imparted are being utilized to improve coordination and bring coherence to their gender equality work.