Strengthening Women’s Voices means to address power imbalances as well as social and cultural norms that promote inequality. Advocating for social transformation starts within the concerned group itself. This is particularly true for organizations that promote gender equality. While it is not expected that every single staff member becomes a gender specialist, CARE and its partners believe that each staff member needs to have a minimum of understanding of the gender and diversity values and what it means for the organization’s vision, mission and practice. We also belief that every single staff can contribute to uphold and model these values, in day-to-day lives as well as at work.

CARE supports partners in their organizational development and strengthens their capacities to develop and implement innovative programs and advocacy strategies that are powerful tools to promote gender equality. Key Lessons Learned and insights into L4C’s approach are documented in an overall report and regional learning briefs.

„Learning for Change (L4C) Strengthening Women’s Voices in East Africa“ has been developed as a three year programme funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and CARE Österreich. The regional program is aiming at the promotion of meaningful participation of women in decision making processes at household, organizational, community and national levels. To this end, it promotes women’s leadership, gender equality and diversity, psychosocial well-being, engaging men and boys and advocacy in the context of women, peace and security and gender-based violence. L4C is being implemented by CARE Austria in cooperation with CARE country offices in Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda from April 2016 to March 2019, with an advocacy component in the African Great Lakes Region, Austria and at the EU level.

To strengthen the partners capacities, L4C pursues a threefold strategy by promoting

• conducive environments at the organizational level to foster gender equality and psychosocial wellbeing within L4C partner organizations and CARE offices,
• gender transformative programming and the implementation of tools strengthening the participation of women at the community level,
• national, regional and international influencing efforts on gender equality and women’s rights.

Capacity development and learning is largely based on CARE’s existing expertise. Technical experts from Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda support partner organisations to engage more effectively and to strengthen women’s voices in East Africa.  They develop and facilitate workshops for partner organisations and CARE offices in the three countries which are complemented by on-the-job coaching.

The implementation takes place at three inter-connected levels:

• At partner countries‘ level, L4C facilitates organizational and capacity development of CARE and partners and initiates exchange of knowledge and experiences. Furthermore, CARE and partners engage together in evidence-based influencing.
• At the cross-country level, L4C facilitates knowledge transfer and the exchange of experiences and expertise among among CARE and partners in East Africa
• At the international level, L4C links local to global. The focus is on regional evidence-based influencing and advocating for Women Peace and Security (WPS) and gender equality.

Existing Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), Social Action and Analysis Groups (SAA) and other social structures of partners and CARE at the community level will be vehicles to initiate positive changes in the project.

Please see L4C program’s “Theory of Change” for details.

Women, Peace and Security Strategy of the European Union. (2018)

On December 10th 2018, the Council of the European union adopted the new strategy on Women, Peace and Security.

What next for Syria? How 15 Years of Experience with UNSCR 1325 could inform a different Approach to the Syrian conflict. Mollet Howard. CARE International. (2015)

As diplomats meet to reflect on ways forward for women, peace and security, what should the international community do differently on the Syrian conflict to better empower, protect and assisting women and girls in Syria?

Beyond 2015 for Women, Peace and Security. CARE International. (2015)

This paper outlines recommendations from CARE International and its local civil society partners towards the 15th anniversary review of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security(WPS), and the Global Study informing the review.

Stensrud, Ellen/Husby, Gorill. Resolution 1325: From Rhetoric to Practice. A Report on Women’s Role in Reconciliation Processes in the Great Lakes in Africa. CARE Norway/PRIO. (2005)

The aim of this study is ultimately to formulate suggestions on how to improve the implementation of Resolution 1325 in the field. The report will point to weaknesses in the implementation so far, and propose possible improvements.

From Resolution to Reality. Lessons learned from Afghanistan, Nepal and Uganda on women’s participation in peacebuilding and post-conflict governance. CARE International.

A decade later, women are still largely absent from peace negotiations. How can the policy be turned into practice, which impacts on the lives of women most affected by conflict?

Left Behind. How the World is failing Women and Girls on Refugee Family reunion. CARE International/ Melissa Network. (2017)

Since 2015, when more than a million people risked their lives to try and reach Europe seeking protection. Our findings from Greece should constitute a wake-up call for anyone concerned about women’s rights and the protection of refugees.

INGOs Calling for Continuation of Assistance to Refugees in Uganda. (15.03.2018)

Far from Home. The 13 worst refugee crises for girls. CARE USA. (2018)

This CARE USA report captures 13 of the worst refugee crises faced by women. This paper highlights the struggle of women and girls who are affected by war and crisis.

Intersections of violence against women and girls with state-building and peace-building: Lessons from Nepal, Sierra Leone and South Sudan. Global Women’s Institute. (2018)

This study highlights the intersection between violence against women and peace – and state-building efforts. It hopes to make furture peace-building efforts more effective through adressing violence against women.

CARE International in Rwanda developing a “Life free from Violence”. Modelling program approaches, lessons learned, success and challenges. CARE International. (2017)

The purpose of this document is to outline CARE Rwanda’s Life Free from Violence journey, in the anticipation that other CARE country offices can learn from this approach.

Program Overview and Lessons Learned from Uganda. CARE Österreich. (2016)

Phase III of the CARE Österreich Framework Program (FP III) was implemented from January 2013 to March 2016, and promoted gender equality in Ethiopia, Uganda and Nepal, benefiting approximately 60,000 people. In Austria, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution UN1325 was also supported.

Inequality and Injustice. The Deteriorating Situation for Women and Girls in South Sudan’s War. A Progressive Gender Analysis: 2013-2016. CARE International. (2016)

This report documents an increase in sexual violence for all groups (girls, women, boys, men) since July 2016 but women and girls have been most affected.

What next for Syria? How 15 Years of Experience with UNSCR 1325 could inform a different Approach to the Syrian conflict. Mollet Howard. CARE International. (2015)

As diplomats meet to reflect on ways forward for women, peace and security, what should the international community do differently on the Syrian conflict to better empower, protect and assisting women and girls in Syria?

Arab Spring or Arab Autumn? Women’s Political Participation in the Uprisings and Beyond. Implications for International Donor Policy. CARE International. (2013)

After decades of rule characterised by dictatorship, patronage and violence, in 2010 young people in the Arab world began to rise up and demand a new kind of politics. Women played their part as leaders and participants, and were not spared the backlash – suffering arrests, sexual harassment and even death.

Women in Azerbaijan. Peace, Security and Democracy from a Women’s Rights Perspective. Mandl, Sabine. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights. (2011)

The aim of this desk research is to underpin the advocacy work of the “Strengthening Women’s Capacity for Peace-building in the South Caucasus Region.” The desk-research focuses on the situation of women in Azerbaijan related to “peace, security and democracy”.

Women in Georgia. Peace, Security and Democracy from a Women’s Rights Perspective. Mandl, Sabine. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights. (2011)

The aim of this desk research is to underpin the advocacy work of the “Strengthening Women’s Capacity for Peace-building in the South Caucasus Region.” The main intention is to complete the existing findings with important aspects, particularly related to women, peace, security and democratization.

Women in Armenia. Peace, Security and Democracy from a Women’s Rights Perspective. Mandl, Sabine. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights. (2011)

The aim of this desk research is to underpin the advocacy work of the “Strengthening Women’s Capacity for Peace-building in the South Caucasus Region”

Stensrud, Ellen/Husby, Gorill. Resolution 1325: From Rhetoric to Practice. A Report on Women’s Role in Reconciliation Processes in the Great Lakes in Africa. CARE Norway/PRIO. (2005)

The aim of this study is ultimately to formulate suggestions on how to improve the implementation of Resolution 1325 in the field. The report will point to weaknesses in the implementation so far, and propose possible improvements.