RWEE

RWEE's overall progress has been slowed down due to the pandemic and climate change/natural disasters. In addition to negative effects and challenging contexts for the program target group, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant difficulties in implementation of program activities, and some have been postponed. The movement restrictions have also affected the monitoring and follow-up of the program, including data collection for results measurement. Climate change has also negatively affected the program implementation, with natural disasters and shocks have hit several program countries and had devastating effects on communities and target group. In general, the progress towards the overall goal is somewhat difficult to summarise, as results are mainly reported on sub-objective level and tend to focus on aggregated results or even anecdotal results on country levels, rather than shifts in trends and developments regarding women's economic empowerment more broadly. Missing or unclear baselines and targets makes the progress challenging to put in perspective and assess against the ambition and intended results. Results have been achieved with varying degrees across the four program outcomes, with some more affected by the pandemic. For example, many training activities had to be postponed due to restrictions, while cooperatives and women entrepreneurs also faced new business opportunities in response to the pandemic. During 2020, RWEE has reached 37,251 persons (in line with 2019) and since the start of the program has reached 80,092 persons (81% women and 19% men). Most were reached through informal groups, self-help groups and formally registered cooperatives and producer organisations. Niger and Guatemala represent 45% and 24% respectively out of the total persons reached. The least persons have been reached in Liberia (3% of total), followed by Kyrgyzstan and Rwanda (5% each). The reach in the different countries vary across years depending on country specific activities. RWEE measures its overall progress and results for all four program objectives. 1) Improvements in food and nutrition security The program reports on a further average increase in agricultural production of 101% compared to program baseline. This increase is attributed to transfer of knowledge in vegetable cultivation and livestock production, including guidance and accompaniment encouraging practical application. [ACT/TARGET] Positive results were achieved in women's nutrition. For example, in Nepal there was a 100% increase in vegetable consumption (both quantity and frequency) from kitchen gardens, which led to 97% of women-headed households increasing their Food Consumption Score. [ACT/TARGET] In Ethiopia, unexpected results were seen in an impact assessment conducted by the Bureau of Livestock, Agriculture and Natural Resource Development Bureau. Changes in food culture, nutrition and food security were seen among women who had participated in RWEE activities, through women applying positive coping mechanisms to deal with the COVID-19 crisis by planting backyard crops not traditionally used in their communities and living areas, such as potatoes. This enabled longterm utilisation and food security, and avoided use of expensive inputs. [ACT/TARGET] 2) Increased income, secure rural women's livelihoods and create wealth In 2020, a total of USD 540k was generated from sales at individual and group levels, reaching a cumulative aggregate amount over the last three years of USD 2.6m. The increase in income was attributed to increased sale of produce, establishing kitchen gardens, innovations of non-agricultural products such as soaps and increased access to markets. For example, in Guatemala, 1,041 people (872 women and 169 men) generated a total of USD 123,544 from farm and kitchen garden sales and a further 333 women increased their sales by 48% (earning approximately USD 112 per month through sales of farm and kitchen garden products) of corn, beans, vegetables, eggs, and flour. [ACT/TARGET] Access and control over financial assets and credit to enhance rural women's entrepreneurial capacities and market competitiveness is also a focus of RWEE and the program has supported Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) across the implementing countries. In 2020, 1,175 rural women in Liberia have been granted access to credit through 32 existing and 16 newly formed VSLAs, which provided USD 58,750 in rural credit. In Nepal, 122 women's groups accumulated USD 96,752 which was used for setting up a revolving fund scheme by and granted access to finance to 2,860 rural women. [ACT/TARGET] 3) Enhanced leadership and participation in their communities and in rural institutions, and in shaping laws, policies and programmes The most considerable progress made was observed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to social norms reported during community response, as women played a central role in communities an households during the response and were able to engage successfully with decision-makers. In Kyrgyzstan, which has strong telecommunication networks countrywide, online dialogues and policy lobbying activities were organised when in-person forums originally planned were not possible. Two online dialogues were held and involved the participation of 85 rural women representing local women groups, local keneshes (councils), communities, civil society, and business organisations. Dialogues focused on the role of rural women in local economies and socio-political development, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The dialogues also considered ways to increase the number of women running for elections. [NAT/INST] Local administrative leaders in Ethiopia visited a climate smart village initiative to promote a green economy established under RWEE. District officials and administrators reported that they regard the village as promising and replicable, and said they will incorporate that in future local development plans. [NAT/INST] RWEE continued using the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), a tool for community-led dialogue used to promote more equitable gender relations which actively includes men and boys in the discussion. In Nepal, change was observed among women at the household level, including reducing family expenses through household budgeting, and greater involvement of women in economic activities and household planning. GALS champions worked as volunteers to disseminate the GALS methodology in the community, as well as to raise public awareness about COVID-19, and help vulnerable women during the lockdown period. [ACT/TARGET] 4) Gender responsive policy environment secured for the economic empowerment of rural women Training has been provided under this objective in several countries, but some activities aimed at promoting rural women's advocacy towards governments have been postponed due to the pandemic. Some interesting results can however be seen. In Guatemala, the National Coalition for the Economic Empowerment of Women was signed by a number of influential ministries and secretariats including Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Ministry of Economy, Presidential Secretariat for Women, National Secretariat for Science and Technology and Vice-Presidency of the Republic. This multi-sectorial alliance is part of RWEE's framework in Ethiopia. So far, this has led to the creation of Enlaces program that seeks to create opportunities to increase prosperity, profit, social responsibility that benefits both communities and the business sector as well as support provided to incorporate gender perspective in the loans program in response to COVID-19. [NAT/INST] In Kyrgyzstan, RWEE works together with UN Women projects to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in launching the national process on the development of a new Gender Equality Strategy for 2021-2030. More than 80 women participated in the dialogue on the role of rural women in local economies and socio-political development, in particular concerning COVID-19 response by using a platform provided by RWEE. [NAT/INST] Results highlighted in the Global Evaluation In 2002/21, RWEE conducted a global evaluation of the RWEE program and examined results achieved throughout the program implementation period. Main conclusions from the evaluations were: \n\n• RWEE has been highly relevant, aligned to the national policy framework in each of the countries where Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) is recognized as an objective or an important component of agricultural development. It is also very closely aligned to the needs of rural women involved in the programme. • There has been strong internal coherence between the agencies and between the JP RWEE objectives and agency mandates. Working as one has been more challenging and took time to take off initially. External coherence at organisational level however, has not always translated into synergy on the ground between implementing partners. • Key results on individual level were highlighted in the evaluation; there has been a significant contribution from RWEE to rural women's improved livelihoods through agricultural practices, market linkages, awareness raising and leadership building. There are documented increases in vegetable and livestock production, diet and nutrition, and income gains in all countries. During field visits, both women and men reported shifts in social norms such as women being allowed to take work outside the home and husbands taking on some of the household chores and women interviewed reported an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem. [ACT/TARGET] • Decision making and funding have remained insufficiently aligned with rhythm and needs of implementation. Differences in disbursement procedures reduced synchronization of delivery and capacity to deliver in line with needs. • Selected elements of the JP RWEE show signs of sustainability that are likely to continue beyond the duration of the programme. The savings groups that have been established through JP RWEE emerge as a powerful transformative element of the programme with considerable likelihood of being sustained. Sustainability remains challenging for activities that require sizeable investments, activities that remunerate women for their work, and those that require capacity to purchase inputs. In addition, sustainability is challenging where implementation partners have key roles and where government services cannot take over these roles. • Main contributing factors to delivering results and sustainability have been synergy, complementarity and effective national coordination. Main hindering internal factor has been funding affecting delivery of activities, staff turnover, and capacity to invest in knowledge management and learning. Whilst a conducive policy and government interest have been contributing external factors, natural disasters (including pandemics) and political instability have hindered progress

The Joint Program "Accelerating Progress towards the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women "(RWEE) is a global initiative aimed at securing rural women livelihoods and rights in line with sustainable development. RWEE is implemented by FAO, IFAD, WFP and UN Women based on the comparative advantages and strengths of each UN body to improve the status of women in rural areas. The first phase of RWEE has been implemented in seven countries; Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nepal, Niger and Rwanda. The overarching goal of this 5-year joint global programme is to secure rural women's livelihoods and rights in the context of sustainable development and the post MDGs, based on four outcome areas: improvements in food and nutrition security; increased income, secure rural women's livelihoods and create wealth; enhanced leadership and participation in their communities and in rural institutions, and in shaping laws, policies and programmes; and gender responsive policy environments secured for the economic empowerment of rural women. RWEE measures its overall progress and results for all four program objectives: 1) Improvements in food and nutrition security 2) Increased income, secure rural women's livelihoods and create wealth 3) Enhanced leadership and participation in their communities and in rural institutions, and in shaping laws, policies and programmes 4) Gender responsive policy environment secured for the economic empowerment of rural women