Outcome WCA_O_2

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate

1) Resourcing (6 donors): The support received from both historical and new donors (including Fonds Français Muskoka, Governments of France, Ireland and the USA, the Ford Foundation and the EU) to advance its programmatic and normative work on EVAW, WEE and on gender statistics. One of the highlights is the first-time contribution to WCARO from the US International Law Enforcement (INL) Bureau, which will enable the office to pilot a project on access to justice and holistic services in Ghana. (2) Convening (4 partners): WCARO engaged with a diverse range of collaborations including key regional bodies (ECOWAS, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Liptako Gourma authority), a research institute (IDRC), as well as with sister agencies and governments to foster dialogue and policy work in WEE, WPS and EVAW, and advocate for more funding to GEWE in the region in the area of unpaid care work, green economy and positive social norms. Such convening power was illustrated by WCARO’s leadership in mobilizing CSOs, UN System, and the African Union and AC for Human Rights against the repealing of FGM Ban in the Gambia. (3) Responsible business practices (2 partners): WCARO has supported the Ecobank Group (continental level) in adhering to the WEPs; WCARO continued its collaboration with the AfDB on affirmative procurement (4) Influencing work (7 partners) was conducted to support greater mobilization and knowledge sharing around green economy with France, Ireland and the government of Senegal on green economy and with CSO Partners on positive social norms

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate

UN Women WCARO strengthened its ability to leverage partnerships, communications, and advocacy to increase support for and financing of gender equality, while advancing sustainable resourcing for mandate delivery. To address a particularly challenging partnership and funding landscape, a Partnerships and Communication and Visibility Strategy—including a resource mobilization plan focused on expanding strategic engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and supporting organizations —was finalized and annexed to the WCARO Senegal 2026–2029 programme. Visibility and influence increased, with social media reach surpassing 210,000 followers in 2025. While consolidating historical partnerships with the AfDB, France, the Netherlands and Ireland among others, WCARO diversified and expanded its partnership portfolio, particularly with nontraditional partners across national and international financing institutions (such as Benin’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations), the private sector (Ecobank country affiliates), philanthropy (the Ford Foundation and African philanthropies), and Gulf/OIC ecosystems (Islamic Organization for Food Security). Engagement at the 2025 IsDB Annual Group Meeting generated partnership leads and strengthened country level support for a multi-country UN Women WCARO strengthened its ability to leverage partnerships, communications, and advocacy to increase support for and financing of gender equality, while advancing sustainable resourcing for mandate delivery. To address a particularly challenging partnership and funding landscape, a Partnerships and Communication and Visibility Strategy—including a resource mobilization plan focused on expanding strategic engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and supporting organizations —was finalized and annexed to the WCARO Senegal 2026–2029 programme. Visibility and influence increased, with social media reach surpassing 210,000 followers in 2025. While consolidating historical partnerships with the AfDB, France, the Netherlands and Ireland among others, WCARO diversified and expanded its partnership portfolio, particularly with nontraditional partners across national and international financing institutions (such as Benin’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations), the private sector (Ecobank country affiliates), philanthropy (the Ford Foundation and African philanthropies), and Gulf/OIC ecosystems (Islamic Organization for Food Security). Engagement at the 2025 IsDB Annual Group Meeting generated partnership leads and strengthened country level support for a multi-country

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate

Communication was effective around the partnerships with Orange France, AFDB, CNOSS, and SNU Senegal. It included the drafting of messages on social media promoting these partnerships, photo coverage, and coverage on the UN Women Africa website, and drafting of articles for RCO magazines in the region to highlight UN Women's regional office's activities. Coordination of communications and advocacy around the 16 days of activism campaign: Briefing of UN System communication officers in Senegal and developing a guidance note for the UN heads of agencies' advocacy videos against GBVs. Launch of the 16 days regional digital awareness campaign, including sharing a newsletter launching 16 days, preparation of a toolkit for regional influencers amplifying the campaign messages to raise awareness among the youth and for UN Women Africa social networks. Organization of 16-day events in Senegal: a Panel discussion with women on GBV at the Third, a Panel discussion with the RGTG and GTG Senegal on gender stereotypes and the fight against GBV, a Panel discussion with youth at ISM management School in Senegal, coverage of the awareness campaign in Kedougou among women organization, local authorities and traditional and religious leaders. Coordination of the communication aspect of the 16 days Forum organized by UN Women WCARO in Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon: coverage on the UN Women Africa social networks, drafting and dissemination of press releases, in English and French, organization of photo exhibition and booklet in honor of GBV activists in West and Central Africa. Outputs also include producing and disseminating a booklet of biographies of 20 women's rights activists in West and Central Africa in English and French. Coverage of the official DR visits in the region when meeting government, civil society, and religious and traditional leaders: coverage on networks, press releases, and organization of press conferences. Support to country offices lacking communication staff, especially in Senegal, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone, through coverage of their events and amplification of their activities on social media. In 2022, UN Women effectively and persuasively communicated results to influence stakeholders, expand advocacy capabilities, and drove positive change in the West and Central Africa Region. An effort that resulted in the increased number of visits it subscriptions on all our digital platforms. Number of total visits of the UN Women Africa website in 2022: 195,966 in 2022 vs 140,947 in 2021 423,717 page views in 2022 vs 299,391 in 2021 86%of new users in 2022 vs87,1% in 2021 14% of returning visitors 12,1% Visitors stayed 1:47 on the site in 2022 vs 01:34 in 2021 40,574 documents downloaded from the website in 2022 compared to 2021 Social media statistics: By end of December 2022 UN Women Africa listed 74,263 followers on Twitter, 87,594 followers on Facebook. UN Women YouTube channel received 101,030 views in 2022, 20% more than 2021. UN Women Africa website statistics show a peak of visits around 8 th of March and Launch of the 16 days of activism of 2022. 1089 people attended our events in 2022 via our UN Women WCARO Eventbrite page.

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate

WCARO is on track to ensure a wider diversty and variety of partnerscontribute to UN Women's mission. A significant change is operating as WCARO expands its partnerships beyond the "transactional level" (ie awards and grants implementation). As shown by the indicators below, WCARO in 2023 mobilized partners from public and private sector, including non-traditional partners such as private companies, IFIs, media, and the sports ecosystem, to support its mission in convening, knowledge sharing, promoting responsible business practices, and in deploying the GEF-AC in the region. In terms of resourcing, not only WCARO has secured some funding from 4 donors, but has also started establishing quality relationships with the regional representations of donors (see each indicators for details and supporting documents), which will enable the RO to secure resources within the next 2 years.