mainstreaming of cross cutting issues in the community
Transcription
mainstreaming of cross cutting issues in the community
MAINSTREAMING OF CROSS CUTTING ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY-LED ACCELERATED WASH (COWASH) IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS Hirut Yibabe, Consultant January 2012, Addis Ababa Table of Contents Acronyms ANRA AU BOFED CDF CMP COWASH CSA DFID FDRE GESI DPO FGD FHH GTP HEWs HH HIV/AIDS KWTs MDGs MOE MOH MOLSA MOU MoWE MUC M&E NGOs PIM PLWHA PLWD PRA PSNP REST RWSEP SSA SWOT UAP UN UNICEF VAW VCT WASH WAT WB WHO WIF WSS Amhara National Regional State African Union Bureau of Finance and Economic Development Community Development Fund Community Managed Project Community – Led Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Central Statistics Agency Department for International Development Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Disabled Persons Operations Focus Group Discussions Female - Headed Households Growth and Transformation Plan Health Extension Workers Head of Household Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Kebele WaSH Team Millennium Development Goals Ministry of Education Ministry of Health Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Memorandum of Understanding Ministry of Water and Energy Mekelle University College Monitoring and Evaluation Non Governmental Organizations Project Implementation Manual People Living With HIV/AIDS People Living With Disabilities Participatory Rural Appraisal Productive Safety Net Program Relief Society of Tigray Rural Water Supply and Environment Program Sub Saharan Africa Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Universal Access Program United Nations United Nations Children’s Fund Violence Against Women Voluntary Counseling and Testing Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Women Association of Tigray World Bank World Health Organization WaSH Implementation Framework Water, Sanitation and Sewerage ii Table of Contents 1 2 3 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3 Scope of the study ........................................................................................................... 4 Background AND METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 5 4.1 Background ..........................................................................................................................5 4.2 METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................5 Table One: Sex distribution of discussants at community level ................................................ 7 5 Conceptual framework on cross cutting issues ................................................................. 7 5.1 PromotiON OF Women Rights ...............................................................................................7 5.2 Person living with disabilities ................................................................................................8 5.3 People living with HIV/AIDS ..................................................................................................9 5.4 Environment as a cross cutting issue .....................................................................................9 6 AN OVERVIEW ON Water SUPPLY, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in Ethiopia 10 Table Two: Water Supply Service Coverage in Ethiopia 2005/6 – 2011 .................................. 11 Table Three: GTP Planned Targets for Hygiene and Sanitation Service Sector ....................... 12 7 Current Water, Sanitation and Hygiene interventionS in Ethiopia................................... 12 8 Women involvement in water management .................................................................. 14 9 A glimpse on WASH programs in Tigray and CDF activities in Amhara region - ............... 16 9.1 WASH ACTIVITIES IN Tigray ................................................................................................. 16 9.2 Water issues in Tigray Region.............................................................................................. 16 9.3 Water issues in Amhara Region ........................................................................................... 17 Table Four: Amhara Region: Population Distribution by Sex and areas of locations .............. 18 9.4 HIV/AIDS and related issues ................................................................................................ 18 9.5 Community values and perceptions on WaSH ...................................................................... 18 9.6 Need for an equitable access to water supply ...................................................................... 20 9.7 equitable WASH access BY vulnerable groups ...................................................................... 21 9.8 IMPACT of Community Development APPROACH ................................................................ 22 9.9 Access to sanitation ............................................................................................................ 23 9.10 women participation and decision-making .......................................................................... 23 10 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis.............................. 24 11 inclusion of gender in cross cutting issues ...................................................................... 27 11.1 Strategy ............................................................................................................................. 27 11.2 Mainstreaming cross cutting issues in different levels .......................................................... 29 11.2.1 Capacity building in WASH activities ...................................................................................................29 12 Capacity Building through Awareness Raising and, Training .......................................... 30 12.1 Monitoring of crosscutting issues in the COWASH ............................................................... 31 1 12.2 Monitoring Manual............................................................................................................. 32 12.3 Evaluation .......................................................................................................................... 32 12.4 Results/Outcomes .............................................................................................................. 32 12.5 Evaluation Approach........................................................................................................... 32 13 Constraints and challenges ............................................................................................ 33 14 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................... 35 14.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................................ 36 14.1.1 14.1.2 14.1.3 14.1.4 14.1.5 14.1.6 ANNEX I Federal Government Level ...................................................................................................................36 Promoting access to sanitation ............................................................................................................37 Capacity Development and Promoting Women Participation .............................................................37 Regional Level ......................................................................................................................................37 Woreda/Community level ...................................................................................................................38 Donors Organization ............................................................................................................................38 COWASH GENDER STRATEGY ............................................................................ 39 14.2 General .............................................................................................................................. 39 14.3 STARATEGIES ...................................................................................................................... 39 ANNEX II. Terms of Reference .............................................................................................. 41 ANNEX III: Checklist of Questions ......................................................................................... 45 ANNEX IV. References .......................................................................................................... 54 ANNEX V. lIST OF NAMES OF Contacted Persons and Organizations ..................................... 56 2 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study provides an introduction to the Community-Led Accelerated Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (COWASH) Project recently introduced to scale - up the WaSH service delivery under a ‘One National WaSH Program’ through Community Managed Projects (CMP) established in all administrative levels. This report covers the methodology for data collection and data sources for the study by indicating the evaluation phases with their key deliverables and milestones. An analysis is made on the major key issues and conceptual framework that have an impact on crosscutting issues. The approach and methodology used in conducting the study in Amhara and Tigray regions with strengths and possible limitations encountered has been considered in the report. Proposals on the cross cutting issues including promotion of gender equality, involvement of disabled persons, people living with HIV/AIDs and environment in the COWASH implementation process are included in the report. The study has also assessed and analyzed the COWASH project documents and CMP training manuals currently in use in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions with cross cutting issues included in the WaSH activities at all levels. The detailed study on mainstreaming the cross cutting issues in the Community-Led Accelerated WaSH and CMP implementation has attempted to highlight the nature and magnitude of the problem as well as some of the major challenges faced in the WaSH implementation at large. It is essential to involve, women and men as well as the vulnerable members of the society in all of the WaSH activities being undertaken at all levels (national, regional, woredas, kebeles/villages) by partnering with donors and civil society organizations. Given the situation of the state of COWASH in study areas, various strategies are proposed in order to mainstream the cross cutting issues in all WaSH activities in Ethiopia. 2 INTRODUCTION Community-Led Accelerated WaSH (COWASH) is a technical support and capacity building project set up within the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE). The Project focuses on creating an appropriate environment for the development and implementation of Community Managed Projects (CMP) approach at national, regional, zonal and woreda levels. The intention in scaling - up the CMP as an approach for the WaSH service delivery system is to ensure a sustainable funding modality in a ‘One National WaSH Program’. COWASH is a time-bound project and it is expected to be phased out by the end of 2014. The Project is expected to accomplish its planned activities when all of the facilitators and technicians in the MoWE (Water Bureaux, WaSH Management Units) are deployed, and at the period when partners are taking the lead in developing and implementing CMP. The Technical Team is currently taking the lead by developing and strengthening community managed projects. 3 This study has focused on how to mainstream cross cutting issues in the COWASH Implementation process. It describes the conceptual framework in which the Gender Analysis of the COWASH project is framed in relation to cross cutting issues. The cross cutting themes comprise: promotion of the rights and the status of women and girls as well as gender and social equality. promotion of the rights of easily marginalized groups, especially children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, and the promotion of their equal opportunities of participation HIV/AIDS as a health, social and economic challenge environmental protection and climate change adaptation. The report covers the methodology for data collection and data sources for the survey by indicating the evaluation phases with their key deliverables and milestones. An analysis is made on the major key issues and conceptual framework that have an impact on cross cutting issues. The approaches and methodology used in conducting the study and some of the possible risks and limitations encountered during the process are considered in the report. Simple and practical proposals on the cross cutting issues such as the promotion of gender equality, involvement of disabled persons, people living with HIV/AIDs and Environment in the COWASH implementation process are included in report. The study includes an analysis on the existing COWASH Project Documents and CMP Training Manuals for CMP being implemented currently in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions with the cross cutting issues included in the WaSH activities at all levels. According to the assessments, there is a need to engage an ‘Expert’ on cross cutting issues and gender at the Federal level with regard to CMP implementation technical assistance. Proposal on the qualification and job description of the expert is attached to the report. 3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The purpose and scope of the study on the cross cutting issues is to: - analyze the cross cutting themes reflected in the COWASH project as per the existing project document; - propose simple and practical cross cutting strategy on the promotion of gender, social equality, and social inclusion of the marginalized groups such as people living with HIV/AIDs (PLWHA), the disabled persons, and environmental issues and their integration in the COWASH implementation process; - propose and indicate the monitoring modalities of the activities on cross cutting issues in the COWASH; 4 - analyze existing CMP training manuals implemented currently in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions with the cross cutting issues included; - assess the need for the possible inclusion of COWASH gender expert with the specific tasks/job description/ and qualifications; - indicate the modalities on integrating the cross cutting issues in One National WaSH Program; - indicate the responsibilities in the COWASH by showing who shall be responsible for what with the cross cutting issues included; 4 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY 4.1 BACKGROUND The Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) has recently mainstreamed the Community Managed Project (CMP) approach into the WaSH Implementation Framework (WIF). The previous CDF approach is now referred to in all the WIF as Community Managed Project (CMP) approach. COWASH project was established to assist the MoWE in developing the guidelines at the federal and regional levels and in carrying out the necessary capacity building to scale – up the CMP approach. The cross cutting issues such as gender, social equality and marginalization; HIV/AIDs and environment needed to be included in the CMP and WaSH implementation by developing comprehensive guidelines and manuals and in carrying out the capacity building, In order to get a clear understanding on the practised and already developed methodologies and situation of crosscutting issues inclusion in WaSH programs cross cutting issues, assessment was carried out in Tigray and Amhara regions. This assessment included an analysis on the successes and failures of cross cutting issues in the previous CDF interventions in Amhara by having a glimpse on the baseline survey on cross cutting issues, particularly on gender issues in Tigray and Amhara regions. The methodology aims to seek answers to the key research questions, as reflected in the Terms of Reference (Annex 1) and in the check list (Annex 2). Data gathering techniques included: 4.2 collecting primary and secondary data, selecting of cases through rigorous screening process by using a checklists, local information reviews, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions at community level, field observations to evaluate community - based water usage performances. METHODOLOGY In the assessment of the cross cutting issues, 30% of the task was based on reviewing the primary data and 70% on secondary data. Various literatures on water and sanitation issues 5 including documents, training manuals, existing guidelines, statistical data, reports on national and regional gender analysis and the WaSH project framework were extensively reviewed during the study process. Moreover, recent reports on WaSH services in Ethiopia were assessed in detail. Summary report on the socio-economic profiles of target populations in Tigray and Amhara regions have also been briefly reflected in the report. Refer assessments on relevant documents in Annex III. A brief assessment on Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy is also included in the report. Recent studies on cross cutting issues - Gender mainstreaming, persons living with HIV/AIDS, persons living with disabilities and on environmental issues were reviewed and assessed in detail. The methodology used in the study included field assessments on current status of WaSH activities in Amhara Region to find out the factors contributing to the successes and limitations of existing Community Managed Projects (CMP). The possibilities of scaling - up the CMP’s activities in Amhara region has also been considered in the report. Furthermore, in Tigray region, the on-going WaSH activities were assessed by involving the community members themselves. The possibilities on replicating the CMP approach in various areas in Tigray region have also been reviewed. A glimpse is given on the baseline survey on gender and crosscutting issues in Tigray region. Data gathering techniques included collection of primary and secondary data using checklists, reviewing local information, conducting semi-structured interviews, conducting focus group discussions and evaluating the operational modalities of the community based water systems. Primary data collection Field activities started with identification of stakeholders operating in the water sector in order to understand the community perceptions and values in relation to water and cross cutting issues. Primary data was gathered from various sources operating in the water sector as well as the water users through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observations. At the community level, observations were made on the physical facilities such as water points in the schools, the distance of water points from respective villages/kebeles where the users live and others. Meetings and discussions were held with water committee members, and water users in Alage, Endamehoni, Maychew, Atsbi and Kilte Awlalo weredas in Tigray region and in Fogera in south Gondar zone, Bahir Dar Zuria woreda in west Gojam zone, and Ankesha woreda in Awi zone in Amhara region. Formal and informal discussions were held with various community members, water users, water committee members and users groups. Women and men in different age groups, vulnerable groups (disabled persons, people living with HIV/AIDS, female-headed households and the land-less) were also contacted. All in all, discussions were made with 52 individuals represented from various sectors of the above mentioned groups as follows: 6 Table One: Sex distribution of discussants at community level Sex Female Male Total Vulnerable FemaleHeaded Household s(FHH) 24 24 Groups People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA 2 2 Persons with disabilities Landless persons Total 3 4 7 12 7 19 41 11 52 A series of brain storming discussions were held with 38 staff members (12 female and 16 male) working in the UN organizations and NGOs operating in the two regions including Relief Society of Tigray (REST) and the Women Association of Tigray (WAT), UNICEF, World Bank. The Key data sources included the following: - 5 5.1 water users (women, men and children) and community leaders, female headed households, Persons living with disabilities, ageing persons, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), NGOs working in the WaSH sector, CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ON CROSS CUTTING ISSUES PROMOTION OF WOMEN RIGHTS The following briefly explains some of the terms used in describing the conceptual framework on cross cutting issues and their relations to water, sanitation and hygiene and in rationalizing the need for their inclusion in the COWASH system. Gender equality is the equal visibility, opportunities and participation of women and men in all spheres of public and private life often guided by a vision of human rights, which incorporates acceptance of equal and inalienable rights of women and men. (UN 2005 and 2007 report). Gender mainstreaming in respect to this study refers to making gender an integral part of development programs by addressing gender equality in all stages of development. Specifically, it addresses the women’s strategic and practical needs as they are more than often neglected in communities and households. Social inclusion is based on the principles of equal rights, meaning their ability to voice, receive equitable treatment and benefits, access to resources and jobs, and to be involved in decision-making, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, social class, religion, marital status, 7 and abilities. It does not mean the exclusion of the majority of people and/or the elites and economically well-off. Vulnerable members of the community include female household - /heads, people living with HIV/AIDS, disabled persons, the elderliness (aged over 60 years) and landless young couples. 5.2 PERSON LIVING WITH DISABILITIES About 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, of whom 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning. The global disability prevalence is higher than previous WHO estimates, which date from the 1970s and suggested a figure of around 10%. This global estimate for disability is on the rise due to population ageing and the rapid spread of chronic diseases, as well as improvements in the methodologies used to measure disability. (WHO 2012 Report). There are at least 81,200,000 people affected by some form of disability in Africa (10%). However, this might be a conservative estimation as WHO-ICF tools for defining and measuring disability prevalence have not yet been used in many countries. Most common disabilities in Africa are: physical, sensory (blindness) and mental disabilities. Some 10 per cent of the world’s population, approximately 650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world’s largest minority, and some 80 per cent of them live in developing countries. Among the world’s poorest people, 20 per cent have some kind of disability. (2009 - 2012 WHO Regional Office for Africa) A 2007 CSA/MOLSA survey on disabilities in Ethiopia shows that 60 percent of the people in the working age and living with disabilities are found in rural areas by earning their living from various activities such as farming, animal husbandry, firewood collecting and selling firewood, and others. Most of the disabled persons in the working ages remain un-employed due to the limited employment opportunities and stigmas. According to recent CSA/MOLSA reports, there are 864,218 persons comprising of 464,202 males and 400,016 females living with various types of disabilities in Tigray region. In Amhara region, CSA/MOLSA in 2007 reported to have registered a total of 211,971 of persons living with disabilities of whom 108,401 are males and 103,570 females. Nevertheless, discrimination against the disabled persons (women, men and children) is still rampant. These groups of people usually lack adequate care and protection commensurate to their vulnerabilities. For the majority of disabled persons in the low-income groups, their rights to livelihoods including food, shelter and water is a daily struggle calling for improved access to life necessities by, among others, mainstreaming them in all social service delivery systems. 8 Disabled persons from gender perspective Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence or rape, and are less likely to obtain police intervention, legal protection or preventive care. Some 30 per cent of street youths have some kind of disability, and in developing countries, 90 per cent of children with disabilities do not attend school. (WHO 2012 Report). Disabled women and girls in low-income communities in Ethiopia are doubly, if not triply, discriminated because of their gender, disabilities and for being poor. Income-generating activities targeted to women and girls with disabilities are often diverted by giving a priority to adult males instead of vulnerable groups of the society. Disabled Persons Operations (DPOs) are often dominated by disabled men even if the main concern of such projects are women and children concerns. Usually, women, children and the disabled persons in the rural areas are given less priorities. Various community-based approaches to the disability rehabilitation have been criticised for their reliance on labour inputs obtained freely by women volunteers and their family members same as other community workers. On the one hand, this type of activities accomplished freely hinders them from earning an income for their living. 5.3 PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS Based on reports taken from VCT centres, blood banks and ART programs, the cumulative number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ethiopia is about 1.32 million of whom 45% male, and 55% female. According to the GTP 2009/2010, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is 2.4.% for the total estimated population of 81 million. (CSA 2010) Basically, it is a state responsibility to include persons with vulnerabilities such as women and children, disabled persons, the elderly and PLWHA in national socio-economic development activities. Access to clean water and improved sanitation is a basic right. Provision of safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene education has a far reaching effect when delivered as a package rather than separately. Therefore, the inclusion of the vulnerable members of the community in COWASH activities becomes absolutely necessary for the successful implementation of WaSH programs in the country. 5.4 ENVIRONMENT AS A CROSS CUTTING ISSUE Environment is the physical, chemical and biological surroundings in which local communities live and develop their livelihoods. It provides the natural resources that sustain individuals and determines the quality of the surroundings in which they live. The environment needs to be well protected in order to maintain the sustainability of these essential resources such as water which is crucial for life. Hence, serious consideration is given to the strong link existing between environment and water. 9 Environment in the context of water as an issue is mainly to include the source of protection in to the WaSH project. When establishing the water scheme, the community is responsible in ensuring that source is well protected from pollution and that reasonable environmental protection measures are taken to ensure provision of adequate water supply. This takes into account the environmental degradation affecting the water resource as well as to make the people aware of possible future changes caused by climate change. A pro-active environmental protection measures has to be put in place to ensure the sustainability of water supply in the areas. Community members in and around water points have to be well aware on the impacts of climate change on the environment. Environmental degradation highly affects weather conditions thereby impacting the rainfall. Water-users need to be fully aware of impacts caused by climate change. Adapting the people to the future change in their environment and making them prepared to respond to the changes appropriately is an important task while planning WaSH projects. 6 AN OVERVIEW ON WATER SUPPLY, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) ACTIVITIES IN ETHIOPIA Ethiopia is the fastest-growing non-oil-dependent African economy in the years 2007 and 2010. The effectiveness of the country’s social and economic policies is reflected in Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) 2010/2011 – 2014/2015. In spite of fast growth in the recent years, the nation still faces a number of social and economic challenges addressed in the GTP. Poor hygiene, inadequate quantity facilities still cause millions of its Inadequate access to safe water practices is affecting a vast number groups, in particular. and quality of drinking water and lack of sanitation poorest people to suffer from preventable diseases. and sanitation services, coupled with poor hygiene of its population - women, children and the vulnerable 10 TABLE TWO: WATER SUPPLY SERVICE COVERAGE IN ETHIOPIA 2005/6 – 2011 As shown in Table Two , the annual percentage of water supply service coverage in rural and urban in the country showed a gradual increase and it is hoped that this trend will continue in future. The GTP targets for 2015 in water supply service development in rural areas envisages: 1) to increase water supply coverage in rural areas from 71.3 % to 98 %; 2) to increase the functionality rate of water supply schemes in rural areas from 80 % to 90 %; 3) to increase the water supply systems of schools from 65 % (2008 baseline) to 100 %; and 4) to increase water supply systems of health institutions from 50 % (2008 baseline) to 100 %. In hygiene and sanitation sector, the situation in 2010 and the planned GTP targets is shown in Table Three below. 11 TABLE THREE: GTP PLANNED SANITATION SERVICE SECTOR 7 TARGETS FOR HYGIENE AND CURRENT WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE INTERVENTIONS IN ETHIOPIA Based on past experiences to improve water and sanitation services in the country, the Government of Ethiopia supported by international assistance continues to implement various projects to enhance peoples’ access to clean water and sanitation. Currently, the government’s endeavours to improve the health and sanitation of the population are gradually bearing fruits due to several interventions including an enhanced public awareness. An intensified field intervention by health extension workers deployed in urban and rural areas is tremendously contributing to the well being of its people due to the increased health services and intensive awareness raising on the prevention of various communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. The Government of Ethiopia has committed itself to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, Target 10: reducing by halve the proportion of population without access to safe water supply and basic sanitation by the year 2015 by raising the social and economic conditions and quality of life of its population.(MoE) The Government of Ethiopia has also envisaged to join the middle-income countries by the year 2015. The Growth and Transformation Plan of 2011 has targeted to achieve a full sanitation service coverage and 98.5% water supply service coverage by the year 2014/15. Working in a haphazard manner by the respective line Ministries has recently been addressed by introducing an integrated approach in the delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) service to the public. To this effect, the Ministry of Water and Energy 12 (MW&E), Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2006 signed a MoU on establishing WaSH framework at national level. Furthermore, the WB/DFID/ADB - supported WSS Project Implementation Manual (PIM) has been revised in 2011 and made to fit in to the WaSH Implementation Framework (WIF) by incorporating the Community Managed Project (CMP) funding modalities. The current MoU on WaSH has been framed – up on the achievements of GTP targets by underlining the binding mechanisms and accountabilities, ensuring the smooth operations by the parties at all levels. The annual multi-stakeholders’ forum deliberating on water, hygiene and sanitation issues underlined their importance in Ethiopia’s development endeavours. The government strongly believes that sustainable development cannot occur without proper delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) to the public. Low performance in education is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Child development is impaired resulting in retardation and diminished learning thereby affecting the national socio-economic development poor WaSH service delivery highly affects labour productivity as the workers have to remain at home due to their illnesses and/or of their family members. They also get incurred in to financial expenditures for medical services. Provision of adequate and clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene service to the population has a far reaching effect on the well-being of the society since it impacts on health, productivity and quality of life. Improved WaSH service delivery is an important factor in contributing in reducing poverty and in creating a sustainable socio-economic development. In 2006, the necessary infrastructure was put in place by the government of Ethiopia by establishing the National Co-ordination Office in the MoWE and Program Management Units in three Ministries - MoWE, MoH and MoE, respectively. According to some critics, the WaSH Coordination Office in the MoWE was not functioning properly and lacked the mandate to coordinate the WaSH activities in the country. Moreover, Management Units established within the MoE and MoH did not prove to be fully functional. Their activities in WaSH sector was limited in being represented through their respective focal persons. Some of the positive actions taken so far are the WaSH inclusion in the MoE’s Five Year Sector Plan and in its various annual abstracts drawn for information purposes. Most importantly, school WaSH supervision is being conducted in some regions such as preparation of WaSH information materials. Provision of improved water, sanitation and hygiene service to the public at large reduces infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates often arises from poor WaSH delivery services. 13 8 WOMEN INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT In most societies, women have a primary responsibility in management of household water supply, sanitation and health. Water is necessary not only for drinking, but also for food production and preparation, care of domestic animals, personal hygiene, care of the sick, cleaning, washing and waste disposal. Because of their dependence on water resources, women have accumulated considerable knowledge about water resources, including location, quality and storage methods. However, efforts geared towards improving the management of the world’s finite water resources and extending access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, often overlook the central role of women in water management. The importance of women involvement in managing water and sanitation was recognized globally since 1977 when the UN Water Conference on ‘The International Drinking Water and Sanitation’ was convened at Mar del Plata. The central role of women in the provision, management and safeguarding of water was also highlighted during the Decade 1981-90 and the International Conference on Water and the Environment in Dublin (January 1992). The International Decade for Action - ‘Water for Life’ (2005-2015), calls for women’s participation and involvement in water-related development efforts. The Water for Life Decade coincides with the timeframe for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is widely recognised that provision of WaSH services needs to move towards a more gendered and inclusive approach that considers existing power relations between men and women, and between social groups, and how these influence access to resources and participation in decision-making. Social- and poverty-mapping have emerged as good practices to promote and ensure equitable access to WaSH facilities for all. Affirmative-action policies and efforts by projects/programmes have assisted women to access the sector’s services and benefits, including paid jobs and training opportunities. Women representation on WASHCOs which provide access to project information and decision-making processes has improved their livelihoods since they save time for other various income generating activities as well as for taking care of family activities. However, their active engagements in these activities still remain limited. Sustaining equitable access to and utilisation of WaSH facilities is difficult without addressing local power relations, political economic issues and deeply embedded social norms. Organisational preference to work in accessible areas, local political interests and a lack of systematic planning all have an impact on addressing genuine community demand. In addition, the project staff have mainly been focusing on the technical aspects of the project by overriding the issues. In most of the cases, project implementers seem to be highly concerned on completing the infrastructure of the projects within the stipulated timeframe. 14 Mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues in the regular WaSH activities requires a good understanding about the dynamics at the grass-root level. It is important to ensure that support organisations acquire the necessary skills and capacity, and an accountability to the communities in which they are operating. Social-empowerment approaches that build the capacity of women and excluded groups for social action need to be built into the mobilisation process. Policy guidance from the Government can also provide a common framework to ensure that certain cross-cutting principles are applied by all sector actors. Mainstreaming gender equality must be done at both the project/programme and organisational levels. Currently, the major constraints for effective gender-responsive activity in the WaSH sector includes the lack of diversity within the sector due to unavailability of skilled and dedicated technicians and infrastructure friendly to gender and cross cutting issues. Monitoring activities in WaSH sector needs improvements by increased disaggregated measuring outputs, which is still lacking. Social and public audits which have become accepted tools and processes needs to be implemented more effectively with meaningful participation of women and other vulnerable members of the community. These groups need to be institutionalised within the monitoring and evaluation systems in WaSH projects. The WaSH sector has been successful in achieving representation of women at the project level. However, more emphasis should be given to identify the barriers of women, the poor in order to ensure more systematic and inclusive sector approaches. Some of the courses of action in widening their involvement in WaSH implementation activities are: - analysing the existing access and decision-making mechanisms perpetuating social and economic inequalities; - designing gender-sensitive interventions with adequate funding; - monitoring inputs, outputs and outcomes with disaggregation by sex and locations; - Conducting improved monitoring and reporting systems that captures the changes in their access to assets and services; - empowering women and the vulnerable persons to influence changes in existing inequitable policies; - implementation gender streaming by developing policies, directives, skilled human resources; 15 9 9.1 A GLIMPSE ON WASH PROGRAMS IN TIGRAY AND CDF ACTIVITIES IN AMHARA REGION WASH ACTIVITIES IN TIGRAY Tigray Region has an estimated population of over 4 million of whom 51% are females and 49% males. Nearly 82.2% of the total population lives in the rural areas relying mainly on rain fed agriculture for subsistence and the remaining 17.8 % in urban areas. (2005 Population Census). Water issues exclusively stand at the centre of the livelihood of the population. Tigray Region is usually affected by rainfall shortages often resulting in water scarcity for drinking and agricultural purpose. According to the 2010 household socio-economy base-line survey, conducted by the Regional Bureau for Planning and Economic Development, 94% among the women-headed households were found to be food in-secure. Studies on women livelihood in Tigray conducted in 2005 by Mekelle University College together with Tigray Women’s Affairs Bureau (MUC) indicate that 70% among surveyed households face food shortages. Recent researches on socio-economic and livelihood situations in Tigray Region indicates that women, the female household heads (40 % of Tigray population) and the landless in particular, happen to be the most vulnerable members among the community. National statistical figures on prevalence of disabilities in Ethiopia indicate that 10–15 % of the total population in this region live with disabilities thereby affecting their ability to work and earn their living. Most of them lack family support as there is no body among the family members in the working age often resulting in labour shortages to help in farming and in other various livelihood activities. Moreover, they are also victims of poverty as they do not have access to basic resources necessary for life such as shelter, farmlands, plough animals and farm tools. There are several young couples in the rural areas who do not own farmlands and most of them earn their living by being hired by other land owners and/or by share-cropping in exchange for their labour. 9.2 WATER ISSUES IN TIGRAY REGION According to the MoWE’s GTP 2011 annual budget report, access to water supply service in Tigray region has reached 60.37 percent in the rural areas and 89.66 percent in the urban areas. Despite this, Tigray region remains highly affected by water shortage for drinking purposes usually falling well below the national average of 84.7% in urban areas and 51.5% in the rural areas. However, there are variations occurring among the woredas depending on the rate of seasonal rainfalls. 16 Regional survey results by the Women Association of Tigray (WAT) indicate that 29% of the total water supply systems in rural areas of Tigray region were reported not to be either fully and/or partially functional due to proper maintenance services. Moreover, decrease in water supply from wells, springs and ponds in the dry season has also been affecting the water supply needs of the community. REST survey conducted in seven woredas of Tigray in 2003 indicated that 9.5% of the households (1,796 HHs) obtain water using pumps from water wells, while the big majority (45.2%) collect water from rivers and springs. A total of 39.6% among the respondents collect water from protected springs. (Meheen, 2003) Close to 49% among those interviewed accessed to a safe potable water from protected springs. However, water users interviewed while conducting field assessments stated that wells and springs in their vicinities get dry resulting in acute water shortages in the dry season. The continuity of water yield and households water coverage during the dry season needs to be assessed further. According to the 2005 study survey by Mekelle University (MU) in Azebo, the shortest travel time for collecting water by the villagers is 26 minutes which is one hour on the average for a round trip. WAT study survey conducted in 2005 in Atsbi wereda of Tigray region indicated a travel time (round trip) of over one hour and 40 minutes in Raya Azebo woreda to the farthest water sources. Sample survey conducted by REST & WAT in 2005 in Hawzien woreda recorded one - two hours for a round trip from respective villages to water points to fetching water. However, villagers take more time in collecting water from far away water sources by queuing for long hours. According to statistical data, there are close to 400 water users in each water point, this being one of the major factors spending much time for water collection. Moreover, there are several women engaged in collecting water by making over two trips daily, indicating that almost half of the day is lost in collecting water from far off sources. 9.3 WATER ISSUES IN AMHARA REGION The Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), one among the nine regional states of Ethiopia comprising 11 Zones and 114 Woredas has a total population of 17.69 million. (BoFED, 2010/11) The population size in 2010/11 projected using the annual population growth rate (2.96%) is 18.2 million. 17 TABLE FOUR: AMHARA REGION: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY SEX AND AREAS OF LOCATIONS Locations Male Rural 8,018,613 Urban 1,112,367 Total 9,130,980 Source: BoFED Population Affairs Sex distribution Female 7,885,952 1,168,678 9,072,630 Total 15,904,565 2,229,045 18,203,610 2010/11 pop. projection Total 16,144,931 2,397,660 18,542,591 The women in Amhara region constitute over 50% of the total population. Gender - based inequality in the region is very much deep – rooted resulting in poor women’s access to various social and economic opportunities. The region is very well endowed with rich water resources. Despite this, the potable water supply to the population is very low compared to WHO standard - 45 litre/person/day. The 2009/10 water supply coverage in Amhara region was close to 64 percent leaving 36 % of the population (60 percent in rural areas and 90 percent in urban areas) showing a tremendous change compared to 2004/5 which stood at 36 percent. The government in collaboration with international organisations is still endeavouring to improve the water supply to the population in, both the rural and urban areas, by developing several hand- dug wells and springs and through river diversions. Despite that, there are several women and girls who are still seeking water by travelling long distances. According to reports of the the Health Burea, in Amhara region,several people in this region suffer from various water – born diseases as a result of drink contaminated water from un-protected wells, rivers, and ponds. 9.4 HIV/AIDS AND RELATED ISSUES HIV/AIDS as a cross cutting issue has an effect on community access to and control over resources in general and the provision of WaSH services in particular. Field assessments were made on the perception of selected individuals in Tigray and Amhara Regions on people living with HIV/AIDS in their locality. The key informants indicated that most of the people in their localities are well informed on how an HIV/AIDS disease is transmitted and its implications as well. The key informants have also showed their willingness to care for HIV/AIDS affected persons by showing the full support to PLWHAs as well. 9.5 COMMUNITY VALUES AND PERCEPTIONS ON WASH First, improved water use, sanitation and hygiene can best be achieved when the people of concern are fully aware of their importance in their daily life. As it stands today, this is not very well perceived among various members of the community due to various reasons, including their values and attitudes as well as their culture on these issues. 18 Hence, a series of public awareness activities need to be launched in advance to the commencement of WaSH projects. There are several traditional habits related to water use which cannot be changed in a short period. Traditional societies such as the local people living in rural Ethiopia has a deep-rooted memory on their water springs, rivers and brooks that has been used by their ancestors for the past several years and their values and norms have been based on this old traditional values. The nature of public awareness interventions need to take in to consideration the specific values and traditions of the community in the areas where the WaSH activities are planned to be put in place. In such cases, traditional elders including women, religious leaders have an important role to play in developing awareness among the traditional societies in particular. Most importantly, teachers assigned in remote areas in addition to village elders, have an important role to play in promoting the implementation of village WaSH projects, thereby paving the way for WaSH project officers to accomplish their field operations smoothly. Indeed, the local media has an important role to play in introducing hygiene and sanitation to the public as well as proper water use. Lead government agencies, MoWE, MoE, MoH, local governments and development partners have already accomplished much in developing a common approach to the “WaSH Implementation Framework” (WIF). The WIF as a hub has a major role in mainstreaming the various approaches in to a single approach so long as there is a total consent from concerned WaSH partners. Involvement of water users in all phases starting from planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation is the corner stone for a successful implementation of the WaSH program. The one WaSH implementation framework approach has a vital role to play in scaling - up the CMP approach from Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions to other various regions. The FGDs and key informant participants were asked questions related traditional beliefs on sharing water with the disabled persons including with persons living with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the impact of water use on the environment, their culture on the use of latrines and paying for water consumed by users were extensively discussed. Selected discussants addressed in three woredas in Amhara region are of the opinion that water issues at this moment are very much different from what used to take place previously. “Now that we are part of the CMP approach, we are fully aware of what goes on since we happen to be managing the water schemes established in our villages”, they stated, by adding that “we are benefiting from community managed water projects (CMP) unlike the previous years because we were not involved in the water projects.” According to recent field assessments in Amhara Region, the CMP approach has enabled the community members in the area to manage the operation of water schemes in their respective villages. They stated that their community representatives have been involved in the implementation of the water projects since the start. They said that they were among those who initiated the project together with concerned government technicians and/or aid 19 agencies. It has been observed that women are actively participating in the operation of water schemes in this region which is good in obtaining equality among water users. Most of the FGDs and key informants said that ‘water issues always remain a priority for all the community members’. ‘Water is life’ and that’s why we give greater value to water than anything else’ the key discussants reiterated. In visited woredas, various taboos used to exist on the use of latrines by members of the community. Most of the participants in the discussions argue that using latrines by both, women and men at day time was rather embarrassing and we did not opt to do that for cultural reasons. Women as well as men feel ashamed of being noticed or seen by others defecating inside latrines. For cultural reasons, neither the men nor the women like to be listened by others while airing inside latrines that’s the reason why they still keep on easing themselves in the fields away from their residences, preferably in the bush. Some among the discussants said that toileting within the residential area is a shameful act and they think that they would lose respect if noticed by someone doing that It is changing a bit nowadays since the start of constructing closed latrines in each of the houses. Discussants have also confirmed the presence of several villagers who are using closed-in latrines in the day light which is rather positive. This result was achieved due to the intervention by health extension workers deployed in the areas, including in the remote places. The discussants (Amhara and Tigray) mentioned the existing traditions of washing their hands before and after meals and whenever they happen to put their hands on anything embarrassing, including after use of latrines. The issue of making payments by the community for water use was widely discussed in both regions. Most of the participants in these discussions including the key informants and FGDs supported the idea of paying for water by re-iterating that ‘water is good and it is worth paying for it. Complaints on covering the costs for consumed water used was not observed among the discussants as the rate of payments still remain very minimal. The discussants realized very well the needs to cover the maintenance cost of the water system required to sustain the water delivery to the communities. 9.6 NEED FOR AN EQUITABLE ACCESS TO WATER SUPPLY Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right and essential in achieving gender equality, and poverty alleviation through sustainable development. Providing clean water within a reasonable distance is essential for women and girls as they can devote more time to pursue their education and income generating activities. In Amhara region, the RWSEP project improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene in households and in schools has shown positive results. RWSEP project is observed to be implemented by giving the required attention to gender issues. 20 The water and sanitation facilities in the visited woredas were able to meet the needs of the communities, except in some areas where water delivery system has failed due to lack of proper and timely maintenance. In Amhara where the CDF approach is put in place, it is rather encouraging to observe the participation of all the villagers (men and women), the local administrators and civil society representatives - women and youth associations. There are good signs observed in the improvement of the sanitary and hygiene conditions of villagers in the visited CMPs. The CMPs visited, village schools are providing water and sanitation facilities for boys and girls separately. Gender imbalances that used to exist previously among students is being addressed properly by ensuring the participation of the entire community leading to achieving impacts far beyond the planned target. Women at the community level and girl students in schools have taken the leadership role resulting in lifting up their self-esteem. Gender-balanced School Health Committees have taken the responsibility for the implementation of sanitation and hygiene as well as for proper utilization of equipment. The implementation of rural water supply and sanitation projects, aimed to reduce the “burden of girls who were traditionally involved in fetching water”, is on fruition by improving their school attendance. In the RWSEP areas, girls’ school attendance rates is increasing gradually as girl students appear to be spending less time in fetching water from far off water points due to convenient access to safe water. Generally speaking, much has been achieved through the CDF implementation in the visited woredas. This includes tremendous decrease of time spent by girls and women in collecting water from far off water springs and rivers banks. Random assessment by the Relief Society of Tigray (REST) in March 2010, in selected four woredas in the region indicates the increase in water consumption at household level from 30 to 65 litres/day/capita, which is a significant contribution to the well being of the community at large. Participation of individuals falling under the cross cutting issues such as the land-less women, PLWAs, disabled persons and other vulnerable groups need to be encouraged to participate in water construction and management activities and in facilitating sanitation and hygiene programs in their areas by paying remunerations since most of them do not have any source of income. A good example is the support made through ‘Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) which is already under way in most places and the various payments made to individuals engaged in the up-keep of water systems. 9.7 EQUITABLE WASH ACCESS BY VULNERABLE GROUPS Providing an equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene for the vulnerable members of the society, especially to the disabled persons, the elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS as well as for women and men at large is a priority in all national WaSH 21 projects/programs. Equitable access to water supply service has an empowering effect on women by addressing the root causes for their poverty. In traditional societies, women and children suffer much because of their gender and ages by being tasked with difficult activities that occupies most of their daily activities. Gender equality has not yet been achieved due to old cultural beliefs and religious pressures and there is a long way to go to bring gender equality among the society unless these issues are fully addressed. The female farmers in visited areas are still faced with several economic and social problems mostly by lack of cultivable land. Many of them still suffer from abject poverty as they do not own farmlands to earn their living. According to reports, only a few percentages of the women in rural Ethiopia have access to irrigation activities. Hence, they completely depend on rain-fed agriculture. Women access to irrigation activities is very important as they consist over half of the population and they have to be fully involved in the development process. Responding to needs of poor farmers requires a deep understanding of the local know-how on resource utilization and in exploring various income generating opportunities, especially for women and members of various vulnerable groups found in the working age. 9.8 IMPACT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACH In Ethiopia, the women are burdened with carrying water from springs and river banks located far away from their villages by taking long hours which is rather a very tedious activity. Water collected from un-protected water sources is in most of the cases un-clean and it affects the health conditions of the water – users. In response to this problem, concerned government sectors are strongly encouraging the water users, particularly women, to actively participate in WaSH activities in their areas. Women in the visited Regions are being highly encouraged to be involved in decision making process of the WaSH projects undertaken in their villages. The good part of it is that the number of women participating in the WaSH activities including in decision – making is increasing as women leaders are fully involved in management committees which is a positive achievement. There are several women in both regions participating in construction and maintenance activities of water systems. According to field observations, the WaSH projects established in Tigray Region and in the RWSEP supported CDF WaSH projects/programs in Amhara Region is highly contributing to the reduction of the time taken by women in collecting water from far off springs and river banks. Currently, several number of women in the rural areas are fully engaged in farming activities due to the availability of water very close to their villages and they don’t have to waste much time spending time in search of water as they used to do in the previous times. The rural women farmers in visited woredas in both regions are observed to be generating their income through farming and other activities as a result of the WaSH programs and other various encouragements made to women in general. 22 Moreover, there are positive signs among the community members in the improvement of their family health due to easy access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services by, among others, decreasing various water born diseases. 9.9 ACCESS TO SANITATION Non-availability of sanitation facilities coupled with and poor hygiene practices are causes for water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and other several parasitic infections. Some of the practical actions include giving a focus on the inclusion of gender issues in the sanitation activities. This justifies that there must be a gender-balanced approach from start to the end of WaSH programs and projects. Taking of initiatives such as providing water and constructing latrine facilities in the school premises plays a major role in promoting hygiene education. Girl students in particular can be made aware of their physical and psychological developments when they reach puberty. Interventions of WaSH in schools help young girls to prevent and reduce health hazards and taking health-related risks in life. Taking decisions at an early stage on the design and structure of private and community latrines and deciding where they should be located is a very important factor in creating complementarity of these services with the cultural situations. Latrines constructed within family compounds helps in the prevention of sexual violence against women and girls. Usually, women and girls face sexual violation while walking in darkness to ease themselves in the field. It is gratifying to observe the prevalence of separate latrines for girls students as well as hand-washing facilities in all of the CMP supported schools in Amhara as it was not the case in the previous years. Several latrines are being constructed separately for female and male students as well for the teachers in various schools. Such initiatives are providers for a better and safer living through a much healthier learning environment. Nowadays, more girls’ students have succeeded in completing their basic education due to improved sanitation and hygiene situations in the CDF – supported schools. Discussions with the focus group members revealed that school sanitation and the tidiness of areas in and around water point vicinities appear better than before due to the support and encouragements of the CDF funded projects. Cleaning activities of residential areas and water point vicinities has been traditionally considered as the role of women and girls. It is advisable if the men and young boys get involved in these activities as cleaning of living areas should not be left for the female groups. 9.10 WOMEN PARTICIPATION AND DECISION-MAKING Both - men and women should have an equal say on water management issues in order to enable them to fully reflect the needs of the community. Assessments made in visited 23 woredas in both regions indicate that women used to be under-represented in ‘water development activities and in water management training sessions and they were dominated by men until the CDF interventions in Amhara and commencement of REST water related activities in Tigray. The CDF – supported approach in Amhara region and in the REST Water Project activities in Tigray have promoted women participation in water management issues by proving that women same as men are able to acquire skills through practice and participation in water and sanitation projects. Women organizations and networking has a stimulating effect on mobilizing resources to support sustainability of water projects. A good example is the women water users under the CDF approach where they became members of ‘women’s savings and credit groups’ from their own savings and providing loans to their members as well. Hence, several women are being organized to be fully engaged in development activities including in water supply systems of their communities. There are some who often lacking adequate skills and information on how best to share their ideas and on how to raise funds for their various projects. Hence, conducting simple training sessions women project development and management and in fund raising can help much in women empowerment. 10 STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, (SWOT) ANALYSIS OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS The below SWOT analysis on CDF approach in Amhara Region gives a clear insight on the current situation of COWASH activities in study areas. Strengths Institutional level government policies supporting betterment of the livelihoods of vulnerable groups (fhh, elders, disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLAWHA), gender and environment issues); gender and environment issues and PLWHA are part of development discourses at all levels starting from village/community to the Federal level; the nature of ‘issues’ are of common concern to international organizations, local NGOs and development partners at large; the ‘issues’ involves policy makers, technocrats and community representatives at all levels; existence of strong local government institutions, various public associations (farmers’, women & youth) civil society organisations (idirs, iqubs, mahber, senbete, wenfels, debos, etc.,) at community level; 24 availability of strong and influential governmental and nongovernmental women organizations capable in organizing and implementing various development issues, water in particular; availability of various institutional structures comprising of political party representatives starting from village/community level up to woreda, and regional levels staffed with capable people and efficient in coordinating and implementing water and related issues; presence of coordinating and working committee members always working in the interest of the community; government WaSH policies and NGO’s guidelines pre-requisites to involve women in various working committees established at various levels; presence of experienced community representatives and individuals active in community mobilisation and facilitating various project activities at all levels; Community Managed Project(CMP) already established in woredas to support community group formation, social mobilization and credit flow - a very crucial and important element in empowering community members, women in particular; CMP comprising woreda micro-finance institutions, village development committees, and community organizations currently operating smoothly in the WaSH implementation programs in the kebeles. Community level prevalence of community sympathy towards vulnerable members including existence of positive religious and cultural beliefs, values and norms of the community towards vulnerable groups; all of the vulnerable members of the community are accepted and respected by the community; community care and support provided to vulnerable groups; existence of strong and active women organizational structure at the grass-root level comprising of active members; Water – users’ admiration and appreciation of services provided through the CDF approach; community involvement in all phases starting from the inception period up to the implementation and on budget planning and management; community members can easily be mobilized for any development initiatives; community feeling of full ownership over water points which is a positive beginning since there are some women being empowered to manage the water supply systems as well as playing leadership roles; 25 Weaknesses/Limitations Institutional level weak networking among concerned partner stakeholders represented committees resulting in weaknesses in addressing WaSH issues; in water limited conceptual understanding by committee members on conceptualizing gender issues at different levels; existing gaps in monitoring due to limited resources, lack of clear responsibility given to the kebeles and poor accountability; despite recognition by decision makers and implementers for the need to have representation/participation of people from different groups, this has not been realized due to deep - rooted traditional and religious practices such as in acceptability of women appearance in public gathering, public stigma against women leadership, etc., concerned stakeholders have a limited understanding on issues of gender and vulnerabilities, thereby confusing the activities directly related to women. Consequently, there is oversight on possible impacts on women; vulnerable groups are not yet receiving adequate attention from concerned institutions; despite existence of various favourable policies and international and national commitments on these issues; limited experience of water technicians and other concerned parties in addressing the interests of the vulnerable groups living among the community; low percentage ratio allocated by RWSEP that only 25 % of the trained artisans have to be women needs to be increased to 50%; absence of a clear strategy and guideline to address environmental issues in WaSH starting from the Federal level up to the grass-root level; WaSH programs are not linked with other various livelihood activities (soil and water conservation, income – generating activities and others)lack of smooth transition among concerned technocrats coupled with high – staff turn-over affecting records and data flows; Community level lack of equipment by water technicians (graduated from water technical training institutions) assigned in the field and their field presence be limited provide information; the program management units does not accomplish WaSH tasks adequately as they are usually engaged in performing assignments outside their responsibilities; 26 in Tigray region, the absence of focal person for women coupled with poor networking with regional women affairs office is seriously affecting the WaSH programs; existing over-sight on community – ownership of water schemes developed in some water centres developed through CDF approaches, feelings and concerns of the community on vulnerability issues (disabled people and PLWHAs) terminates in sympathizing rather than taking practical actions Opportunities focus on water issues is strongly underlined in the strategies; MDG, UAP and GTP development existence of interest of donors to work on gender, water, sanitation, hygiene and environment issues in partnership with the GOE; Threats environmental issues in WaSH projects are not properly addressed resulting in water shortages in the near future. Currently, there are no adequate initiatives taken in addressing environmental rehabilitation and water harvesting at community level, all being very crucial in sustaining water resources; demand for more water supply by the increasing population in the newly developing villages, towns and settlement areas; 11 INCLUSION OF GENDER IN CROSS CUTTING ISSUES 11.1 STRATEGY Several development projects have failed to achieve good results due to an oversight on the need for community participation in development activities. One can easily observe failed projects such as piped water systems that no longer carry water, broken hand-pumps and toilets that are never used. In many cases, water supply and sewerage (WSS) facilities developed by aid providers have failed to provide expected services to users because community members, women in particular, have not been involved resulting in the absence of commitments in the projects. Community participation does not necessarily mean that both men and women should be directly included and/or involved in all of the project activities. Women can be invited to participate in the projects through their traditional community groups and forums where they are able to to voice their opinions. However, they are excluded from expressing their opinions despite the fact that it is usually the women who do most of the family support activities - fetching water, family education, sanitation and hygiene. 27 Inclusion of men, women and vulnerable groups in WaSH project components cannot happen unless specific strategies to ensure equal access to the benefits from the project are designed early ahead. Inclusion strategies depend on the nature and environment of the project. However, the following factors have to be taken into account: impact of project components on gender and vulnerable groups (eg.eEngineering, institutional strengthening, financial, community development and health components aspects of WaSH projects). resources (personnel, training, procurement) needed to implement the gender and cross cutting strategies. assessment of risks associated with implementing gender and crosscutting issues. Inclusion of gender and vulnerable groups in WaSH project activities requires a thorough gender analysis in relation to the crosscutting issues in project areas. The various angles to be considered during the analysis are: comprehension of the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the project area, various priorities, needs of the community members, men’s and women’s existing knowledge, attitudes and practices on development issues, Failure in developing proper strategies on the inclusion of cross cutting issues have the following negative outcomes: women may be encouraged to take on management roles and increased tasks without any rewards. Possibilities for men to shy away from activities identified as “women’s areas”, for instance, hygiene education as these components may be considered as less important. women may participate in various training sessions but, they do not practice their acquired skills due to cultural and social reasons. Hence, there is always a need for a continuous support in order to consolidate newly evolving gender roles among the society. WaSH projects on top of searching solutions to technical issues should give focus on long-term issues such as developing change management, community decision-making, leadership skills and improving consultation processes within WaSH agencies. In respect to COWASH Gender strategy, please refer Annex I attached for further details, 28 11.2 MAINSTREAMING CROSS CUTTING ISSUES IN DIFFERENT LEVELS Proper mainstreaming of crosscutting issues helps in addressing existing in-equalities by removing social barriers and taboos which are the key elements in achieving equity and sustainable development. The ‘issues’ are an integral part in development programs addressing gender, vulnerability, and environment in all administrative ladders starting from village up to the federal level in all the project cycle from data collection up to monitoring and evaluation. The mainstreaming strategy for the crosscutting issues referred in this study is based on the experiences and best – practices on water, sanitation and hygiene project implementation in Tigray and Amhara Regions of Ethiopia. Public awareness, capacity building and developing skills of implementers assigned in various levels, especially those at community level is an important factor for the successful implementation of WaSH, with the inclusion of the crosscutting issues. This can be accomplished by integrating the issues in the project framework starting from project formulation and planning, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. 11.2.1 Capacity building in WASH activities Capacity Building: Gender equality, crosscutting issues and environment mainstreaming is a continuous process and it needs updating on a regular basis. The commitment for change must come from the beneficiaries, from decision-makers and implementing experts. The capacity of the stakeholders involved in gender equality, crosscutting issues and environment should be strengthened through regular technical support and training. All Programme stakeholders must be aware of gender equality, crosscutting issues and environment approach. Continuous training and awareness raising sessions must be conducted at all levels of the Programme. Information sharing and networking among partners should be strengthened. While planning water supply, sanitation and hygiene programs, the starting point must be the full participation of water - users including vulnerable groups in the community. Prior to the planning phase, the community members must be consulted and be kept well informed about the objectives of the project. Very often, women and other vulnerable groups are left without proper information of planned activities and the importance of their participation is not well communicated appropriately. In Amhara region, the women at the local level are not yet adequately trained in repairing water pumps. Consequently, they are forced to seek for technicians from other places during breakages of the water schemes including water pipes and water pumps. Hence, there is a need for further interventions to promote women and girl students to be trained in the technical sectors including in plumbing, masonry, mechanics specializing in water pump repairs and the like. 29 Moreover, there is a need to promote other various affirmative action policies that encourages increased women participation in water development such as ‘women in water’ awards and making financial support (bursary) for young women to take up careers in the water sector and train local women users as technicians. 12 CAPACITY TRAINING BUILDING THROUGH AWARENESS RAISING AND, Capacity building in this context is bringing together additional human, material, and financial resources and developing skills of women and men. In developing countries, capacity building in the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors is usually targeted to water technocrats and specialists deployed by government offices and NGOs with an oversight on the social aspects entailed in the sector. Hence, the training should also be targeted to the community facilitators, woreda support group members, woreda WaSH team members and other individual’s deployed in the water sector. Targeting women in training, particularly in technical and managerial aspects and building their capacity is very critical in developing sustainability of the WaSH initiatives. Enhancement of women in decision-making processes in their respective areas of activities remains to be an important factor in WaSH development. FGDs at field level stated that RWSEP in Amhara region using CDF approach widely focused on the general well-being of the community by taking in to consideration the gender mainstreaming, poverty alleviation and the child welfare. Field observations show the increase in the involvement of members of the community, including women, from the initial stages. RWSEP has been effective in supplying clean water to the villagers by developing and protecting several springs and hand dug wells with hand pump fittings with by also involving the members of the community in WaSH activities. Some among the positive achievements of this project are increased community participation and encouraged - gender integration in facilitating the projects, particularly in increased school-aged girls’ enrolment rates. Focus-group members in the field stated that ‘health conditions among villagers is improving from time to time due to improved provision of water and sanitation facilities and the intervention of several trained health extension workers’. Currently, there are a good number of women farmers who have acquired wealth from farming and other various income-generating activities. Community development activities in visited villages appeared vibrant as women continued to have self-confidence due to increased health and resources in their families. Observations showed that the number of women who have acquired technical skills are now performing tasks previously considered suitable only for men. 30 Gender equality, crosscutting issues and environment awareness rising should be included in every meeting, training, training material, workshop and publication of the Programme and the development actors must be committed to raise these issues in different occasions. Training: Identification of obstacles hindering women's participation from attending such capacity building program should be identified and suitable training materials should be adopted for both literate, illiterate persons since the existing training manuals do not address the cross cutting issues. Training activities should be planned in a gender sensitive manner as women very often do not attend , or, if they do, they do not express their opinions. Women suffer more from high illiteracy than men thereby preventing them from lack of self – confidence and in attending public meetings. The huge burden of performing household chores and tasks also remains a major constraint faced by women. Social stigma and physical disability problems have their share in preventing the PLWAs from attending in training sessions. The timing and locations of the trainings programs also prevent these categories of people from attendance. Awareness creation in gender and crosscutting issues should be included in all training programs. Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) is an integral part in the WaSH project cycle and needs to be developed starting from the early stages of project preparation and design. M & E of impact of the project on gender equality and crosscutting issues helps to make the necessary adjustments in addition to the participatory monitoring and evaluation exercise helps to facilitate community involvement. 12.1 MONITORING OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN THE COWASH Monitoring activities in the COWASH program cycle needs to be put in place in all phases Planning Phase, Implementation Phase and Consolidation Phase and give focus on the following: involvement and participation of vulnerable groups in the WaSH planning process; inclusion of their needs in all COWASH programs; inclusion in all decision making levels; monitoring representation of the vulnerable groups and ensuring their fair share in operational and decision – making processes; monitoring the inclusion of cross cutting issues in WaSH – related workshops and training sessions; 31 12.2 MONITORING MANUAL Making a periodical revision on Monitoring Manuals by incorporating the cross cutting issues in the COWASH program is necessary while monitoring and assessing the activities. All of the monitoring and reporting formats need to embrace the following issues: i) changes in informal and formal policies and behaviour (e.g. access of women and excluded to services, reduction in discriminatory social practices like Violence Against Women (VAW), changes in decision-making power of vulnerable groups of the community, acceptance of advantaged groups regarding support to the disadvantaged; ii) Budget monitoring from gender equality, vulnerability and environmental perspective: how much allocated budget is being spent on specific, supportive or neutral activities in relation to women and other vulnerable groups. Water investments within cross cutting supportive activities can be based on percentage, scope and magnitude of the ‘issues’. iii) Indicating in the manual possible and practical interventions by local governments and impacts of local governance and voicing of accountabilities within COWASH; 12.3 EVALUATION Evaluation of inclusion of cross cutting issues in COWASH programs in Woreda/ kebele is based on monitoring the program effectiveness on regular basis using information generated during the monitoring process. However, the long term development effectiveness of the program interventions should be evaluated through external agency. 12.4 RESULTS/OUTCOMES increased women’s productive role (time and energy); increased active participation and decreased hardships, gender and vulnerable groups linked with water, sanitation and hygiene; improved health, nutrition and hygiene of community; 12.5 EVALUATION APPROACH Determining evaluation approaches will be based by considering the nature of interventions and the costs associated with the woredas by adopting appropriate methods. These include: • Case Method 32 • Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) • Observation Evaluation approach on cross cutting issues in the COWASH using the above -mentioned approaches enables to reveal the following possible scenarios: Changes in water consumption Pattern Effectiveness of community involvement in operation and management Ways to improve effective household WaSH management Changes in socio-economic and human rights status through WaSH program Appropriateness of technological options selected and cost effectiveness Present tap stands designs and ways to make it better gender sensitive designs Community empowerment Environment Rain Water Harvesting – solution or not (from operation, cost effectiveness and users’ acceptance) Low cost sanitary toilet options (especially for poor and vulnerable HHs) Status of vulnerable groups of the community – Is it theory or in reality? Impact of health status Fund Effectiveness of service delivery Promotion of income generation activities and changes in HH income through the integration of WaSH in livelihood improvements; 13 CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES Major constraints and challenges faced in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in both regions are mainly linked to poor water supply due to weak operational capacity. Shortage of skilled manpower coupled with financial, and logistical constraints is seriously affecting the provision of adequate water to the population. Several water points developed previously in various rural and urban areas are not functioning properly due to lack of spare parts, water pumps, pipe lines and skilled man power to do the repair work. 33 According to the water users interviewed in visited areas, the major problems resulting from disruptions of water systems include: poor representation of vulnerable groups in water committees resulting in their sufferance from lack of these services; of these groups including since there is no one giving required priorities to these groups of people; exposure FHHs, women, children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, disabled persons and the elderly to various diseases due to lack and/or water shortages; financial shortages to replace dysfunctional water equipment; lack of budget for maintenance activities and for staff remunerations ineffective organizational structure in the water service sector at all levels; poor infrastructure in rural areas, in scattered settlements in particular; poor community awareness among some water users on ownership of water service centres; prevalence of gender in-equality among water service users; inability by some water users to make financial contributions required for repair of water systems; ; occurrences of stoppages in the water delivery system often resulting in less water yields and/or complete interruption of water yield in developed water points, and springs especially during prolonged rain failures; lack of technical know-how among water users in remote villages resulting poor maintenance of water schemes; taking long hours by water users resulting in queuing at the water schemes; Challenges There are several pregnant women, lactating mothers and young girls over-burdened with arduous tasks such as fetching water from far off river banks and springs, often exposed to sexual harassment. The most affected among the water – users are female-headed households who trek long distances in search of water. The most vulnerable members of the community in particular, – people living with disabilities, HIV/AIDS affected persons and the ageing suffer much from lack of water supply close to their villages as they lack family support. 34 14 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The detailed study on ‘Mainstreaming the Cross Cutting Issues in the Community-Led Accelerated WaSH and CMP implementation’ has highlighted the nature and magnitude of the problem as well the major challenges faced in the WaSH implementation process. In conclusion, there is a need to consider the existing strengths both at the institutional and community levels which can be used as a stepping-stone for the WaSH implementation process. There is a need to exploit existing government policies which are fully supportive in the improvement of the livelihoods of the vulnerable persons in the community - FHHs, elders, disabled persons, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLAWHA), gender and environment issues. Gender and environment issues and PLWHA have to be included in the COWASH projects starting from village/community to the Federal level. The nature of ‘issues’ are of common concern to international organizations, local NGOs and development partners at large. The ‘issues’ involve policy makers, technocrats and community representatives in all levels. The existence of strong local government institutions, various public associations (farmers’, women & youth) civil society organisations (idirs, iqubs, mahber, senbete, wenfels, debos, etc.,) at community level are invaluable assets in all the COWASH activities in the nation. The presence of strong and influential governmental and nongovernmental women organizations are capable in organizing and implementing various development activities water supply service systems in particular. Moreover, the availability of institutional structures comprising of representatives of political parties starting from village/community level up to woreda, and regional levels are staffed with capable people are quite efficient in coordinating and implementing water development schemes and related issues which is a good asset in the COWASH programs. Government WaSH policies and NGO’s guidelines need to involve women in various working committees established at various levels by taking advantage of the presence of experienced and active community representatives in the regions who are able to strengthen the CMPs in the woredas. These CMPs can support community group formations, social mobilizations and credit flows - an important element in empowering community members, women in particular; The concern and sympathy of the community towards the vulnerable members of the society including cultural and religious beliefs, and the respect they show is an invaluable asset in promoting an active participation in the WASH programs. The existence of active women organizations starting from the grass-root level with active members including in WaSH activities ensures community involvement in all phases starting from the inception period up to the implementation and on budget planning and management as community members can easily be mobilized for any development initiatives including in the CDF approaches. 35 The COWASH implementation activities can achieve good results by empowering further the community members to assume ownership over water centres. The presence of women currently managing the water supply systems in the surveyed regions needs to be exploited further in all of the COWASH programs. Needless to say, WaSH planners, local authorities, community leaders and water – users have to very cautious not to repeat the oversight listed in the SWOT analysis under ‘weaknesses/limitations and Threats. 14.1 GENERAL Given the situation of the State of COWASH in Ethiopia, the study arrived in making the following recommendations: Inclusion of the cross cutting issues by ensuring a fair gender representation in all of the WASHCOS in all areas as well representatives of members of vulnerable groups (persons living with disabilities, HIV/AIDS –affected persons and the aged) is still essential despite the existing rules to take into account the gender – balance to remain at over 60 percent; Delivering proper and adequate orientation for COWASH teams on cross cutting issues; Providing ‘on-the-job training’ for water development agents and for selected water users at the grass root levels; Re-organizing WASHCOS in all areas; Ensure adequate community contribution for operation and maintenance schemes; Involvement of representatives of vulnerable groups in the COWASH; Laying of a water tax at the community level as an input to financing the community managed water supply projects; Strengthening training and deployment of skilled plumbers, welders, artisans using which is already existing in all areas and equipping them with the necessary tools; 14.1.1 Federal Government Level Incorporate the cross cutting issues in all WaSH programmes; Promoting continued commitment by the FDRE to explicitly incorporate the ‘issues’ in its national development strategies by ensuring that gender, vulnerable groups, and environment; Facilitating access to grants/credit facilities for women, vulnerable groups, for installation and maintenance of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities; 36 Establishing micro-credit services and alternative financing mechanisms by involving members of the vulnerable groups in environmental protection activities; Supporting and promoting equitable water usage arrangements that enable females and vulnerable members of the community to become decision makers and owners; Improving the productivity by women and vulnerable members of the community by linking WaSH with various livelihood activities such as using water for agriculture and small business through training, market linkages, access to information and incomegenerating activities;; 14.1.2 Promoting access to sanitation Ensuring that the overall national sanitation framework is ‘gender, vulnerable groups and environment - sensitive; Earmarking funds for WaSH school clubs, hygiene education, constructing sanitation facilities separately for boys and girls; Commissioning research to identify, through gender analysis, where social and economic groups are chronically excluded from access to water and sanitation’ 14.1.3 Capacity Development and Promoting Women Participation Introducing affirmative action by training women in technical and managerial careers in the water and sanitation sector and promoting their enrolment in water technical training institutions; Allocating funds to senior experts assigned to develop the capacity technicians deployed at different levels; 14.1.4 Regional Level Developing and issuing of guidelines on mainstreaming of cross cutting issues by relevant regional government bureaux; Providing water, sanitation and hygiene education to the community members through women’s groups, schools and health centres; Designing and implementing WaSH projects by taking into consideration the needs of women and men; and vulnerable groups and taking immediate measures in building their capacities; Disseminating information on Regional WaSH activities based on best practices observed in the region using local radios, leaflets, and other public information items; Combating existing bias against gender equality, disabled persons, HIV/AIDS – affected people and on the traditional practices affecting WaSH activities through intensive public awareness and dissemination; 37 14.1.5 Woreda/Community level Enhance WaSH activities in all Woredas by, among others, building the capacities of the Woreda Women, Youth and Children Affairs Bureaux through training, and/or mainstreaming of cross cutting issues in WaSH activities; Organising visits to observe best-practices by similar set-ups, empowering women through capacity building of above – mentioned burueax, encouraging women involvement in decision-making processes; Collecting and compiling information for the Woredas’ WaSH planning and implementation purposes with the cross cutting issues included: - men and women roles, access, needs, priorities and their perceptions on water, sanitation & hygiene; Enabling vulnerable groups/women and girls in opportunities, and resources utilization; Providing periodic on-the-job-training to Water Development Mainstreaming of cross cutting issues at woreda/community level Availing the equipments necessary for community WaSH implementation to Water Development Agents; accessing to information, training Agents on 14.1.6 Donors Organization Donors and International Organizations operating in WaSH programs in partnership with concerned Federal and Local Governments may wish to consider the following recommendations necessary in the COWASH implementation at various levels. Assigning Female Cross Cutting Expert (specializing in ‘Water and Environment experienced mainstreaming the ‘’ISSUES’’ in WaSH Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation; Developing Standards for Human Resources and Technical inputs required in all WaSH implementation phases; Developing and supporting public awareness campaigns on WaSH with ‘issues included through media sponsorships, women and youth public awareness campaigns at grass roots; Assisting capacity building by providing financial and material support to water development technicians, water technical institutions, women and youth organizations involved in WaSH implementation at various levels; Working closely with various partners in developing operational framework based on public wisdom and community interest regarding water, sanitation and hygiene by, among others, engaging a gender & cross cutting expert; 38 ANNEX I COWASH GENDER STRATEGY 14.2 GENERAL Gender mainstreaming refers to making gender an integral part of COWASH and CMP interventions and addressing issues of gender equality in all project stages. Specifically, it addresses women's practical and strategic needs as they are more than often neglected in communities and households. 14.3 STARATEGIES Capacity building Capacity building in COWASH means building the analytical skills of all concerned parties on gender mainstreaming (regional, zonal, sector bureaux and departments; woreda sectoral offices, Support Agents, school communities, WASHCO, KWTs and HEWs. Gender mainstreaming in the project cycle In COWASH, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation will be implemented by men and women together as they are able to indicate the needs of both sexes. Water supply and implementation management Provision of domestic water supply to rural communities will be based on a gender sensitive site selection, designs, technology selection and construction. The election of women into managerial positions of WASHCO will be strongly promoted and women should take the responsibility of the financial management in project implementation. Sanitation and Hygiene Women have a strong role as information providers and caret akers in households. Thus, they will not only be involved in the activities, but they will also be leading the hygiene and sanitation in COWASH implementation. Employment generation activities for women Women will have quotas in artisanship training in order to ensure that they also have the opportunity to expand their means of livelihoods thereby showing their capabilities in the men - dominated area of work. Operation, Maintenance and Management COWASH will ensure that both men and women are empowered and enjoy the benefits of safe drinking water through skills development training and 39 involvement in operation and maintenance management of water supply service systems. Affirmative action As an affirmative action to increase women participation in the rural WaSH society, COWASH will ensure that special quotas are given to women in every meeting, training and election sessions. The major focus in the COWASH is to create gender awareness and to introduce changes to avert issues on gender inequalities which should be the common practices among the whole community. Promotional materials Gender sensitive promotional materials and manuals for gender sensitization, training and mainstreaming will be developed jointly with MoWE and other WaSH stakeholders. Networking COWASH will actively participate in established gender networking and gender development groups at all levels. 40 ANNEX II. TERMS OF REFERENCE TERMS OF REFERENCE CROSSCUTTING CONSULTANCY INTRODUCTION The WaSH Implementation Framework (WIF) introduces the Community Development Fund (CDF) approach, pioneered and developed in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions. In the WIF the CDF is being mainstreamed into the National WaSH Program (WaSH GTP/UAP) for its wider application. The major features of the CDF Approach are: Fund Transfer: The unique and innovative feature of the CDF approach is that funds for the physical construction of water schemes are transferred directly to the community through a micro credit institution. Community Financial Management: The communities, through water and sanitation committees (WASHCOs), are responsible for the full development process through planning, financial management, implementation and maintenance. The unique feature in CDF community management is that the WASHCO manages not only community-generated funds but also the government subsidy provided for capital expenditures. Procurement: A further aspect of community management is that the WASHCO is directly responsible for procuring the goods and services required for water scheme construction and installation. In the National WaSH Implementation Framework the principles and basic procedures of the CDF approach are built into the WaSH program as part of the Community Managed Project (CMP) funding mechanism. It is presented as an alternative funding mechanism to the existing Woreda Grant which is hereby known as the Woreda Managed Project (WMP) funding mechanism which includes regional and national managed projects on behalf of Woredas or towns. If the existing Woreda Grants are channelled to the community and community is managing the projects and funds, then this part of the Woreda Grant funding mechanism belongs to the category of Community Managed Projects. It is expected that National WaSH Partners invest in CMP capacity building support at National and Regional levels. To support this Community-Led Accelerated WaSH (COWASH) Project has been established to provide a team of CMP experts working within the national WaSH capacity-building and technical assistance structure to assist in: • developing and implementing strategies, with tailored materials, to promote CMP at all levels • developing generic operational guidelines for CMP implementation 41 • integrating CMP requirements, as appropriate, into all standardized WaSH capacity building activities and materials – and preparing CMP-specific events and materials as required • integrating CMP requirements into standardized WaSH management systems and procedures including: planning, budgeting and reporting financial management and accounting inventory and information management monitoring & evaluation researching the adaptation of the CMP modality for wider application supporting regional offices to: establish Regional Capacity Building Support Units introduce and promote CMP prepare region-specific guidelines for CMP implementation carry out capacity assessments and develop capacity development plans for the region - and organize training accordingly The CDF approach is no longer donor or region-specific. It is an integral, expanding and evolving component of the One National WaSH Program. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS CONSULTANCY The only chapter where gender is introduced in the COWASH project document is the Chapter 4.4: Crosscutting issues. The chapter introduces the introduction of cross-cutting issues as follows: “During the Inception Phase several studies (incl. baselines) will be undertaken in Tigray and consequently in other potential regions. Cross-cutting issues (promotion of gender, social equality and marginalisation; HIV/AIDs; environmental aspects) will be included in these studies, and strategies for their full integration in implementation developed. An overall strategy should be part of the Inception Report.” This is interpreted that actual analysis of crosscutting themes of the COWASH project is needed and clear instructions on how to mainstream crosscutting issues into COWASH implementation are needed to be developed. This work will also benefit the ongoing process of establishing One WaSH Program in Ethiopia in general and CMP implementation acceleration in particular. Once the actual implementation starts there is a need to have clear instructions on how the crosscutting issues are introduced in actual implementation and how those are monitored 42 in COWASH and CMP implementation. There should be a clear division of responsibilities showing who shall be responsible for the crosscutting issues at different levels. Crosscutting issues are not limited only to gender but shall also include vulnerable groups and people living with HIV/AIDS. Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions have prepared training manuals for CMP implemented at different levels. These manuals will be later on developed to national manuals. It is therefore important to analyse the existing manuals on the perspective and inclusion of crosscutting issues. Furthermore the present COWASH technical assistance team does not include crosscutting expertise. Therefore one purpose of the consultancy is to look for this issue, whether there is a need to increase the COWASH federal team with crosscutting expertise or can it be done by using short term expertise only. EXPECTED OUTPUTS FROM THE CONSULTANT It is expected that this short term consultancy will produce the following outputs: 1. Crosscutting analysis of COWASH project document with practical recommendations on how to mainstream crosscutting issues into COWASH and CMP implementation at all levels (Federal, Regional, Zone, Woreda, Kebele and community). The analysis shall include gender, vulnerable groups and people living with HIV/AIDS. (estimated time required 6 days) 2. Propose simple and practical crosscutting strategy for COWASH in particular but CMP in general. (estimated time required 6 days) 3. Provide a clear analysis of existing CMP training materials in the perspective of crosscutting issues with practical recommendations on how to mainstream crosscutting issues into the manuals under preparation in COWASH (estimated time required 7 days) 4. Provide support to crosscutting mainstreaming in other on-going studies in COWASH (estimated time required 4 days) 5. At present the Federal COWASH team does not have thorough expertise on crosscutting issues. Therefore this consultancy shall assess the needs for crosscutting expertise in the COWASH team. The output shall be a justified proposal either for short term or long term crosscutting expertise in COWASH team with clear job description and remuneration proposal. (estimated time required 3 days) 6. Collect and analyse the existing crosscutting baseline at least in Amhara and Tigray Regions an recommend based on the baseline the COWASH targets and their monitoring in Phase I. (estimated time required 9 days) 7. Conduct one day workshop at the end of the consultancy with relevant regional and federal stakeholders on the findings and recommendation on crosscutting issues in COWASH. (estimated time required 3 days) TOTAL time required: 38 working days. 43 APPROACH The selected consultant shall carry out the work through in-depth analysis of existing reports, manuals, guidelines, rules and regulations, database and procedures. The consultancy requires face to face interviews or even focus group discussions of major stakeholders in this regard. REPORTING AND TIMING The consultancy shall be carried out during a period of October 19 - November 30, 2011. It is expected that items 1,2,5, 6 and 7 are covered in one report and others with separate reports. More detailed time schedule and proposal for the reporting shall be prepared by the consultant during the inception phase (5 days) for the approval of the COWASH/Ramboll. The draft reports shall be submitted for COWASH TA Team for comments in the following time-schedule a) Report (1,2,5) before November 10, 2011, b) Report (3) before November 20, 2011 and c) Report (4, 6 and 7) before November 25, 2011). Final report is to be submitted in paper copy and in electronic format not later than November 30, 2011. QUALIFICATION Advanced academic degree in a relevant field and minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience and completely sound command of professional English is required. Furthermore experience of WaSH in Ethiopia, crosscutting issues (gender, vulnerable groups, HIV/AIDS), strategic development, knowledge management, organisational, communication, facilitation and writing skills are required. 44 ANNEX III: CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS Institutions The checklist is designed to assist the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) to mainstream gender, social equality and marginalization; HIV/AIDs and environmental aspects to the existing WASH programs (guidelines, rules, regulations and training manuals which is prepared for different stages). Use the checklist according to relevance and degree of ambition. To be improved when required. Gender Analysis: 1. How far has the gender, vulnerability and environment issues related to WaSH provision and use in the project area been assessed so far? If so, what tools is the organisation using in the gender analysis? 2. How are the interests, needs and priorities for water, sanitation and hygiene of the people in the project area been assessed by your organization? 3. What are the gender, social equality and marginalization; HIV/AIDs; environmental specific elements in the WaSH frame work and strategies of the government? Institutional Aspects 4. Are there any constraints for women and/or men to access and control over resources? 5. Do you measure and monitor for separate effects on women, men and vulnerable? If so, How? Gender Impact Assessment: 6. Will the program objectives and activities show an impact on existing inequalities between women and men, boys and girls and vulnerable groups? 7. How will the program affect women, men and vulnerable groups? E.g. will their work burdens be in/decreased; their health be affected; economic benefits reached. Is there gender balance in the burdens and benefits? Gender Specific Monitoring and Evaluation: 8. What are the measures taken ahead of time to ensure that the design and location of water points and sanitation facilities reflect the needs of women, men and vulnerable groups? 9. Are toilets situated in such a way that physical security of women and girls is guaranteed? 10. How far on the average is the location of the water points from the location of the users? 11. How far on the average is the location of the pit latrines from the users? 12. What is the average distance of the family pit latrines from their respective homes? 45 Technology and resources: 13. Does the technology used reflect women’s, men’s and vulnerable groups especially disabled priorities and needs? 14. Is the technical and financial planning for ongoing operation and maintenance of facilities in place? And how are women involved in planning the O&M and in actual implementation of O&M? Empowerment and decision-making: 15. What are the means of encouragements used in developing the women’s capacity and their participation in various activities? 16. Are women, girls and vulnerable groups enabled to acquire access to relevant information, training and resources? 17. Is the decision-making body gender balanced? 18. How far are women and members of the vulnerable groups in the house holds involved in deciding the locations of the family pit latrines? 19. Do the men and women teachers have equal participation in hygiene, education and sanitation promotion activities? Key Questions: Underlying causes for vulnerability to climate change in water project areas 20. Who is responsible for securing water for household use? 21. Who controls water resources in the household and in the community? 22. Who is involved in decision-making on water management at the local level? 23. Are there inequalities in access to water within the community? (Especially for gender, social marginalized people and for those who are living with HIV/AIDs). 24. Are there differences in water demand and usage by different groups within the community? 25. Were there any incidents of conflicts occuring over the use of water in the COWaSH project sites? 26. What is the monthly average percentage of the house hold income used for purchasing water? 27. What percentage of the monthly household income is used for water purposes and what would be the use of money for water in proportion with other usage. Underlying causes of vulnerability to climate change, including poverty, gender and marginalization. 28. How far has the public awareness activities been undertaken in the WASH Project areas in respect to Climate Change and what they should do in to adapt climate change impacts? order 29. Are there measures taken so far in the prevention of possible conflicts arising from water shortages in the WaSH program areas? 30. Do target stakeholders have a voice in local, district and national decision-making? 31. What are the mechanisms used to raise their voice if accountabilities do not respond? 46 32. Socio-economic, cultural and political factors can exacerbate vulnerability of certain groups to climate variability and change. Water transport 33. Who carries water and how? How much time is spent transporting water? 34. Are there any health hazards resulting from the transport of water? Use of domestic water 35. How is the collected water used differently by men and women (e.g., for cooking, sanitation, home gardens, livestock, producing local drinks,)? 36. Who decides the water use allocation? Dry-season management 37. Is water available in the dry season? 38. How is water use managed during the water-scarce season? By whom? 39. Roles in agricultural water: Who collects, transports, and manages water for agricultural use and how? 40. Are there conflicts in water distribution in general, based on gender, income level, ethnicity/ castes, people living with HIV/AIDS etc.? How can these be solved? 41. Community (domestic) water management responsibilities that is responsible for the upkeep of the community water infrastructure? 42. Who could be key informants? 43. Are there significant differences in responsibilities based on gender, income level, or ethnicity/ caste? Needs, demands, perceptions, and priorities 44. Are men or women interested in the project? Why? Or why not? Gender Analysis: 45. How far has the gender, vulnerability and environment issues related to WaSH provision and use in the project area been assessed so far? If so, what tools is the organisation using in the gender analysis? 46. How are the interests, needs and priorities for water, sanitation and hygiene of the people in the project area been assessed by your organization? 47. What are the gender, social equality and marginalization; HIV/AIDs; environmental specific elements in the WaSH frame work and strategies of the government? 47 Institutional Aspects 48. Are there any constraints for women and/or men to access and control over resources? 49. Do you measure and monitor for separate effects on women, men and vulnerable? If so, How? Gender Impact Assessment: 50. Will the program objectives and activities show an impact on existing inequalities between women and men, boys and girls and vulnerable groups? 51. How will the program affect women, men and vulnerable groups? E.g. will their work burdens be in/decreased; their health be affected; economic benefits reached. Is there gender balance in the burdens and benefits? Gender Specific Monitoring and Evaluation: 52. What are the meaures taken ahead of time to ensure that the design and location of water points and sanitation facilities reflect the needs of women, men and vulnerable groups? 53. Are toilets situated in such a way that physical security of women and girls is guaranteed? 54. How far on the average is the location of the water points from the location of the users? 55. How far on the average is the location of the pit latrines from the users? 56. What is the average distance of the family pit latrines from their respective homes? Technology and resources: 57. Does the technology used reflect women’s, men’s and vulnerable groups especially disabled priorities and needs? 58. Is the technical and financial planning for ongoing operation and maintenance of facilities in place? And how are women involved in planning the O&M and in actual implementation of O&M? Empowerment and decision-making: 59. What are the means of encouragements used in developing the women’s capacity and their participation in various activities? 60. Are women, girls and vulnerable groups enabled to acquire access to relevant information, training and resources? 61. Is the decision-making body gender balanced? 62. How far are women and members of the vulnerable groups in the house holds involved in deciding the locations of the family pit latrines? 63. Do the men and women teachers have equal participation in hygiene, education and sanitation promotion activities? 48 Key Questions: Underlying causes for vulnerability to climate change in water project areas 64. Who is responsible for securing water for household use? 65. Who controls water resources in the household and in the community? 66. Who is involved in decision-making on water management at the local level? 67. Are there inequalities in access to water within the community? (Especially for gender, social marginalized people and for those who are living with HIV/AIDs). 68. Are there differences in water demand and usage by different groups within the community? 69. Were there any incidents of conflicts occurring over the use of water in the COWaSH project sites? 70. What is the monthly average percentage of the house hold income used for purchasing water? 71. What percentage of the monthly household income is used for water purposes and what would be the use of money for water in proportion with other usage. Underlying causes of vulnerability to climate change, including poverty, gender and marginalization. 72. How far has the public awareness activities been undertaken in the WaSH project areas in respect to Climate Change and what they should do in to adapt climate change impacts? order 73. Are there measures taken so far in the prevention of possible conflicts arising from water shortages in the WaSH program areas? 74. Do target stakeholders have a voice in local, district and national decision-making? Given current practices and constraints, What are the needs of men, women, the elderly, and children in the design and location of water supply facilities, latrines, and other WASH facilities and services? Why? Willingness to pay Are men and women in the community willing to pay for improved WaSH services, and how much? Are they willing to contribute in terms of labour for improved WaSH what way?? Credit facilities Is there any need for credit facilities for potable/drinking water, sanitation, irrigation and others? Can any micro-insurance provisions be used for ensuring future maintenance and repair water system? and if so, in 49 Leadership/Factors affecting leadership What factors affect the level of men’s and women’s leadership in WaSH? What are the incentives and constraints? Seasonality: During which season is the demand for leadership highest? Modes: Which modes of leadership do men and women favour (e.g., decision making in planning, cash contribution, labour contribution for construction, training, O & M, financial management, organizational management)? Why? Perceptions and distribution on the impact of the project Do men, women and vulnerable groups perceive positive and negative impacts of the project differently? Are the benefits likely to be distributed equitably? How can negative effects be mitigated? Disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, are there any? If men pose barriers to women’s participation, try discussing the benefits of women’s participation with male community leaders. Who are they? Where do they live? What are their socioeconomic characteristics? How will the project affect these groups? What are the gender-specific implications? Organization Water Users Groups (WUGs) Are there WUGs for domestic water and for irrigation purposes? What are processes in obtaining legal status for the WUGs? If domestic WUGs exist, assess their (i)performance in Organization & Management (O&M) and financial management; (ii) legal status and the process to get the legal status; and (iii) organizational structure (e,g., size, committee members by gender) If domestic WUGs do not yet exist, are men and women willing to establish WUGs? Are women and other vulnerable groups interested in participating in WUGs? Why, or why not? Women’s representation: What is the current level of women’s representation in other community decision- making bodies? Local organizations Are there local organizations (e.g., local governments, international and national NGOs, CBOs, mass organizations) that address women’s constraints and needs? How can the project link up with them? What mechanisms can be used to ensure women’s active participation in project activities? 50 What organizations can be used to mobilize and train women in the project activities? Questions fortowarded to FGD at the community and kebele Gender role and vulnerable groups among the ---------and other ethnic groups Value and perception on water Perception of sanitation, hygiene, willingness, and ability to pay for services such as water Household decision making process Social relation among different ethnic groups The influence of religion, culture, economic background etc on household decision making People living with HIV/AIDS, disable people and environment perception and felt prevalence 1. What type of Committees do you have in the Kebele? 1.1 If yes, name of the committee 1.2 Number of members 1.3 Number of female members 1.4 According to which criteria the members were selected 1.5 In case there are no women, what are the reasons? 1.6 in case there is no water committee in your kebele, do you see any need for one. 1.7 If yes, when and what are the preconditions 1.8 If no what are the reasons Questionnair for the community / CDF 1. Is there any kind of traditional way of community development fund? 2. For what purpose does this community development fund used? 3. Who participated in the Community development fund Artisans, community leaders or any other? 4. Is there any problem associated with this community development fund? 5. Do you have an experience on this type and who is taking the leadership? 6. What is the role of the community in the CDF? 7. What is the role of the kebele and Woreda administration people in the CDF? 8. Who manages and who owns the CDF? 9. Was there any kind of support from any one? 10. Was there training on hits matter. 11. What type of contribution does the community had in this kind of development fund? 51 12. Is there a practice of income generation practice for the Community development fund? 13. Is there any saving and credit institution in the region woreda? Like ACSI in Amhara region? 14. Designing approaches and procedures for the existing community based organization and haw these organizations could be involved in programme implementation. What types of community based organizations are in the regions, woreda and kebele level? How do they function? Who is involved in these organizations? Do these organizations involved in water, sanitation development activities? If so in what way? Labour, cash or material contribution? 15. Gender issues and practices of the local and other ethnic groups having a possible on the programme implementation. What is the role of women and men in development activities? Do woman and men in Tigray participate in any kind of water and sanitation development activities? If no why? Is there any social / cultural problem that hinders women to participate in water and sanitation development? 16. The design of language training materials for different ethnic groups? Is there any kind of language training material before? What type of language training material you prefer? 17. The design of training and promotion material to be used among the less literate groups, which could include tools and field kits for health workers. Is there any kind of training and promotion material developed earlier? If yes who does this? If no? 18. The design of approaches / messages for an environmental sanitation programme? Was there any kind of environmental sanitation programe in the woreda? If yes by whom? If no why? Is there any problem in relation to environment and sanitation? 19. The design of approaches / messages for a mother and child health care progarmme especially among the indigenous communities? Is there any kind of mother and child health programme? What are mother and child health issues in the woreda or ethnic groups? Is there any kind of taboos in relation to mother and child? 52 Where do the women deliver her babies? Chick list SWOT/SWOC analysis on CDF program SWOT analysis is a useful and well-known tool for gathering information that can guide problem analysis, monitoring and evaluation. It is particularly useful as a tool to facilitate group analysis or evaluation of a particular situation especially WASH related issues. The tool allows groups to brainstorm: Strengths: These are the factors that have worked and have contributed to this success, i.e. the strong elements of a programme or an organization. Weaknesses: These are the factors that have not worked so well and the factors that have contributed to this situation, i.e. the weak elements of a programme or organization. Opportunities: These are the factors or possibilities that can help to overcome the weaknesses and build on the strengths. Threats: These are the factors that may jeopardize the current strengths and opportunities. (An alternative version refers to these as ‘Constraints’ – therefore SWOC). Once these factors have been identified, objectives can be identified and strategies can be formulated. 53 ANNEX IV. REFERENCES S. Alouka, 2006. Integrating Gender into the Promotion of Hygiene in Schools. In: Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of United Nations (in press). Women Leaders for WASH during the Commission on Sustainable Development, 13th session, New York, 19 April 2005 [From left to right: Gender Equality UN 2005 / 2007 Report Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy Ministry of Water Resources (Ethiopia), 2001 Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Checklists for the Water Sector. Ministry Of Water Resources Ethiopia); Women Affairs Office and Japan International Cooperation Agency, Gender Mainstreaming Field Manual for Water Supply and Sanitation Projects RWSEP in Amhara Region, Phase IV Gender and HIV Mainstreaming Strategy with Special Attention HIV/AIDS. February 2008 H. E. Mamphono Khaketla, Minister of Natural Resources, Lesotho; Ms. Anna K. Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UN-Habitat, H.E. Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Water Affairs & Forestry, South Africa; Ms. June Zeitlin, Executive Director, WEDO; Ms. Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science & Environment, India; H.E. Martha Karua, Minister of Water & Irrigation, Kenya; H. E. Penelope Beckles, Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment, Trinidad and Tobago; H.E. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of State for Water, Uganda; H.E. Carmen Arevalo-Correa, Vice- Minister of Environment, Colombia; H.E. Hilde Johnson, Minister for International Development, Norway] RESOURCE GUIDE Mainstreaming Gender in Water Management Version 2.1 November 2006, IWA and UNDP Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Census Commission 2008. “summary and Statistical Report of the Population and Housing census Population Size by Age and Sex, Addis Ababa December. UNICEF Ethiopia Disability Programme, Fact Sheet, http://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/ET_Disability_fact_sheet_Nov_06.pdf, (accessed on 23 April 2009). ILO, 2004: Ethiopia country profile. Employment of people with disabilities: The impact of legislation (East Africa), p. WHO Report/ Disability and Rehabilitation 2011 Report 2009-2012 WHO/Regional office for Africa 54 55 ANNEX V. LIST ORGANIZATIONS OF NAMES OF CONTACTED PERSONS AND No. 1 2 Name Ato Solomon Abera Ato Gebre Rufael Organisation Tigray, Water Bureau Vice Head Tigray Water Bureau/ WASH Coordinator 3 4 5 6 Women Association of Tigray (WAT) /Director WAT/ Program Coordinator UNICEF UNICEF 9 10 11 12 W/ro Tirfa Kidane Mariam Ato Kinfe Abrha Ato Lulu Tigray / Labour and Social Affairs Head Process Owner Tigray / Labour and Social Affairs /Capacity Building & Community Organizing Senior Expert Tigray / Labour and Social Affairs Association Ato Teklehaymanot G/ Meskel Ato Tsegaye Berhe Ato Kahsay G/ Kidan Ato Manaye 13 Ato Habtamu Teka 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 W/Techanech W/t Asefa Girmay Ato Habtu Abrha W/ Hrit Abrha W/ro Desta W/ Alem Tsehay Fitsum Solomon G/ Meskel 21 Kinfe Tadesse 22 23 24 25 26 27 Berehe Kiros Ato WeredeKal Ato Abraham Ato Yimer Habte Ato Asnake Ato Tadele Assefa 28 29 Ato Tesfahun Kinde Ato Sewyew Beyene Tegegne 30 Ato Tekeba Aweke 31 Ato Girmachew Ayalew 7 8 UNICEF Tigray Women Affairs V/ Bureau Head Raya Azebo Wereda Water and Energy Resources Head Raya Azebo Wereda Water and Energy Resources V/Head Wereda WAT Bureau Head Wereda Ambaalage Water Bureau V/ Head Wereda Kilte Awlalo/ Water and Energy office Head Wereda Kilte Awlalo/ Women Affairs Head Wereda WAT / Abraha Atsbha Wereda Women Association Chair Person Tigray Yichalal Water Works Construction Association Tgray Batash Water Works Construction Association Tigray Awet Water Works Construction Association REST Program Coordinator RSU /Amhara Region Amhara Region WB, ADF Project Coordinator Amhara Region Water Bureau Public Relation Amhara Region Women, Youth and Children Affairs, Gender Mainstreaming Expert Amhara/ Awi zone/ Water Bureau Head Amhara/ Awi zone/ Guagusa wereda Gender Mainstreaming Coordinator South Gonder /Fogera wereda process Expert South Gonder /Fogera wereda Assistance Water engineer and CDF Supervisor 56 32 Ato Mengistu Shumet South Gonder Water Supplier /Fogera wereda Clean Potable 57