Management Response

: Mexico
: 2020 - 2025 , Mexico (CO)
: Moving Forward Equality Final Evaluation
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: Mexico
:

The final evaluation of the first phase of the project "UN Women Danone Alliance to promote equal opportunities between women and men and the economic empowerment of women" evaluated the implementing period of the program 2018-2020. The overall objective of the evaluation was “to determine to what extent the initiative has led to progress (or lack thereof) towards expected and / or unanticipated results in relation to gender equality and support for the economic empowerment of women” which resulted in seven recommendations that address the three pillars of the project. UN Women Mexico accepts all seven recommendations. Due to the results given by the first phase, UN Women Mexico mobilized 250,000 euros from Danone HQ for a second phase of the program in 2021, and 250,000 USD for a third phase in 2023-2024. and that addressed the recommendations given by the final evaluation of the phase one. The program has demonstrated that its approach on resilience has allowed it to respond to the current crisis caused by COVID-19.
: Approved
Recommendation: ENHANCE THE VALUE OF THE PROJECT THROUGH GREATER INTERCONNECTION AND INTEGRITY BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT PILLARS AND COMPONENTS
Management Response: The API mentoring program promoting sorority has been incorporated into the 2021 Plan. The program originally included 20 mentors, each assigned to mentor 4-5 women. The mentoring program during the second phase finished with a total of 55 mentors, accompanying 10 to 15 women each in Oaxaca and Mexico City. It will be continued during the third phase. In the case of pillar 2, as part of the 2021 Plan, UN Women had a greater involvement with Danone to advice on measures to increase the number of women in leadership positions, a parental policy; participated in trainings and talks to their staff, and led an assessment and the development of protocols for sexual harassment in the workplace based on the methodology of the Safe Cities program of UN Women. UN Women had more strategic involvement in pillar 3 by developing a communication strategy to promote equal opportunities for women and men.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Generate strategies between pillars that promote the encounter and exchange between women, mentoring and inter-learning processes, as well as sisterhood. UN Women CO and Danone 2022/01 Completed A mentoring program for entrepreneur women was implemented in four periods – two periods in 2021 and two in 2022. 55 women graduated from waves 1 to 5 were selected to be mentors. They received training from specialist to become mentors, enhance networks and identify opportunities for their business. They shared their experiences and best practices with 625 women mentees.
For pillar 2, provide advice on the use of the UN Women tool to measure wage inequality and the development of protocols for sexual harassment in the workplace based on the methodology of the Safe Cities program of UN Women. UN Women Country Office and Danone 2022/09 Completed A pillar of internal transformation is contemplated within the project of Safe Cities that includes 1) the development of a diagnosis on sexual harassment and harassment in the workplace of Danone; 227 staff participated 2) the development of the Danone protocol to prevent and address cases of gender based violence against women. 3) the development of a toolbox with the aim of building a zero tolerance policy for violence against women in Danone. The final versions were delivered in November 2022.
Recommendation: GENERATE AND MANAGE KNOWLEDGE THAT RECOVERS THE EXPERIENCE AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS, SUPPORTS ITS COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION TOWARDS A GREATER POSITIONING AND GENERATION OF NEW ALLIANCES, AND CONTRIBUTES WITH EVIDENCE TO ENHANCE THE MODEL IN THE FUTURE.
Management Response: From UN Women, in collaboration with CREA, experiences have been systematized; training methodology and success factors such as the formation of cooperatives to promote sorority. Success stories of women entrepreneurs have been and will continue to be documented, as well as success factors and drivers for the formation of cooperatives. By 2021, interventions and training with local governments will be systematized to raise awareness of care policies. Evidence will be generated, in collaboration with Danone on concrete experiences in the private sector, particularly around working with Global Compact companies and the Business Coordinating Council to include more companies. To continue generating evidence on the positive relationship between diversity, inclusion, and its impact on growth; innovation and competitiveness, a second stage of the ‘business case’ carried out in 2020 by UN Women will be carried out, which precisely seeks evidence on the impact of gender equality in business.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Documentation of success stories of entrepreneur women UN Women CO 2021/06 Completed Elaboration of two videos of life stories of women entrepreneurs who participated in the program to have a version of the story narrated by themselves.
Systematization of interventions and training with local government UN Women CO and CREA 2021/12 Completed 43 government officials from Iztapalapa, Tlahuac and Xochimilco, participated in two trainings on gender equality, economic empowerment and care work, of four sessions, 8.5 hours each. Also, they participated in a workshop to enhance their knowledge and understanding of care work and identify existing policies and programmes that can be the basis of local care systems. A report systematizing the workshop and training activities has been finished.
Elaboration of a second stage of the ‘business case’ carried out in 2020 by UN Women, which seeks evidence on the impact of gender equality in business. UN Women CO and Bonafont 2021/12 No Longer Applicable In 2020, Kantar Evaluation of Bonafont's internal transformation components (Pillar 2) took place. During 2021, a second stage of this activity will take place where the results will be presented. Due to budget constraints, the second stage of the business case will not take place.
Recommendation: STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND, IN A PLANNED AND SYSTEMATIC MANNER, STRATEGIC ALLIANCES, PARTICULARLY WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, TO STRENGTHEN THE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT, ITS SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE EXPANSION AND REPLICATION OF THE MODEL.
Management Response: In terms of communication, a 2021 strategy for the positioning of UN Women to make visible the results achieved and reach, through Bonafont, new audiences was implemented. The alliances established with the Secretariat of Women of Oaxaca, Secretariat of Women of Mexico City, FONDESO, ICAT were strengthened, which resulted in women entrepreneurs having access to micro credits and scholarships for Google certificates. INMUJERES is a key partner of UN Women, for this project, a key alliance was achieved and the training methodology was transferred to the economic rights team..
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Elaboration of a communication strategy UN Women CO and ACRO 2022/01 Completed A communication strategy was implemented to position the programs results, life stories and the alliance with Bonafont. Results in 2022: 11 media hits with an estimated commercial value of $301,713.8 MX – 14,502.11 US Social Media API: Twitter impressions (views): 32,684 Twitter Interactions (retuits, likes, comments): 1,238 Facebook Total Reach (users reached): 65,157 Facebook Interactions (comments, shares, likes): 1,423
Increase WEP's members UN Women CO 2021/12 Completed The UN CO had a working approach with the different business chambers of Mexico that helps increase the number of companies that can participate in the program and join the WEPs. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, 88, 52 and 56 companies, respectively, joined to WEPs. In total, 192 companies have signed the WEPs
Formalize agreements with private sector with the Global Compact, CCE, COPARMEX UN Women CO 2021/12 Completed Through the presentation of the UNW CO work, such as He for She Initiative and WEPs, more companies were invited to formalize their participation. The CCE signed the He for She commitments. Within this framework, in November 2021, the CCE organized a workshop to disseminate WEPs and its tool. The CO collaborated with the organization Abogadas MX to accompanying it in the workshops that this organization is implementing on WEPs. The CO worked with the Global Compact on the Target Gender Equality program that aims to promote gender perspective in the private sector.
Recommendation: STRENGTHEN THE PROCESSES AND TOOLS OF PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION, TOWARDS THE GENERATION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL INPUTS AND SUFFICIENT AND QUALITY EVIDENCE, WHICH CONSOLIDATE STRATEGIC AND TRANSPARENT MANAGEMENT, AIMED AT TRANSFORMATION, EFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
Management Response: The Theory of Change was reviewed based on the findings of the evaluation and the provisions for phase 2. The PRODOC was reviewed and activities and indicators were updated As proposed within the Steering Committee, the Results Framework, particularly for pillar 2 and pillar 3, was strengthened. During2021 and 2022, an exit and replication strategy were prepared and will be implemented during 2023 and 2024.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Preparation of a replication and exit strategy UN Women CO 2021/12 Completed The alliance with INMUJERES has been achieved for the transfer of the training methodology to scale it to other federal programs. Content will be generated for the virtual course aimed at women entrepreneurs for INMUJERES with a duration of 10 to 15 hours; considering key issues for the comprehensive development of women in soft and entrepreneurial skills. It is also considered to carry out a training of trainer’s process to carry out the transfer of knowledge and methodology. Two of the modules of the training have been finished and the last two are already in draft. The INMUJERES training will take place by the beginning of December and the whole activity will be finished by Q4 2021.
Increase and strengthen planning and monitoring tools UN Women, CREA 2021/10 Completed To address planning and monitoring gaps, actual tools are being reviewed in order to identify and include alternative systems for strong data collection and agile monitoring. A review was made by the implementing partner with its evaluation area to optimize the diagnosis (baseline) and the follow-up questionnaires to follow up on the graduates
Revision of the TOC, update the ProDoc and adjustment the project's results framework UN Women CO 2022/09 Completed The theory of change was reviewed during the evaluation of the program. The results framework was adjusted to include new indicators and goals for Pillars 2 and 3. During 2023 the ProDoc will be adjusted again to respond to a third phase of the program (2023-2024) that will be focused on scaling it up.
Recommendation: BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE, THE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT AND FROM A PERMANENT UPDATING AND ADAPTATION APPROACH, STRENGTHEN THE TRAINING METHODOLOGY AND COMPLEMENT THE CONTENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN'S CAPACITIES.
Management Response: The additional content that will now be part of the core proposal for the empowerment of women is being integrated as part of the replicable methodology and to be transferred to INMUJERES. The mental health program (to be implemented from July to December 2021) and the resilience strategy including the socialization of Risk Management Plans with a Gender Approach (July-Dec 2021) will be integrated into the core proposal. Regarding the adaptations to a ‘new normality’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been possible to specify and include within the core methodology, a course on digital skills that precedes the Creating Inclusive Communities modules; Personal Initiative and Undertaking to Advance. On the other hand, the digital and inclusive communities’ module is open to other family members, as well as the mental health and comprehensive risk management program that is open to anyone in the community.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Include in core methodology additional content on Mental Health and the elaboration of a risk management plan with a gender approach UN Women CO 2021/12 Completed An individual consultant worked with the CO to develop and implement a mental health strategy for women in the context of COVID. The strategy comprehended three virtual courses in the benefited localities of the program (Xochimilco, Tlahuac, Iztapalaba and Juchitán). In 2020 and 2021, three generations completed the courses in which 294 women participated. In Q4, 259 women participated in a third course addressing stress, depression, anxiety and violence against women. Four community risk management plans were developed in Juchitán, Iztapalapa, Tlahuac and Xochimilco., through 6 workshops in each locality.
Tackle technology gap in women empowerment and systematization of on-line work UN Women Co and CREA 2021/10 Completed A “Digital Tools” workshop was held , which will provided basic tools for women who will be part of the training groups in each of the WAVE. The workshop will lasted 4 hours (2 sessions of 2 hours each), in which each woman was able to learn how to open an email account, how to download applications (including those necessary for the development of your training), how to make inquiries in browsers, how to use other digital communication media, etc. This workshop took place prior to the first session of the CCI module and was taught by two trainers who have training and experience in digital issues. Additionally, audiovisual content was worked on various topics of interest to entrepreneurs aimed at strengthening support activities, such as: financial education, tax culture, tax issues for the business, gender, self-care, preparation of a business plan, orientation on brands and records.
Recommendation: INCREASE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF THE PROJECT FROM A MORE SYSTEMIC APPROACH, WHICH ENHANCES THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN, INCORPORATES POSITIVE MASCULINITIES AND ADDRESSES GENDER NORMS THAT REPRODUCE INEQUALITIES AND DISCRIMINATION
Management Response: Within the 2021 Plan, the programme carried out transformative actions in the cultural sphere towards promoting positive masculinities in the community through art, cinema and various cultural activities. Cultural relevance and language was considered within these activities. In alliance with Bonafont, a high-impact communication strategy was implemented to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Engaging men and boys
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Evaluation of the communication strategy UN Women CO 2022/01 No Longer Applicable The communication strategy will be evaluated by an external evaluator. This will give insights of the results of this management response. Due to the changes of the dates of the communication strategy, the evaluation viability will be reconsidered
Life-stories strategy and care advocacy UN Women CO and CREA 2021/12 Completed A documentary led by Marta Lamas, one of the most prestigious feminist and gender advocates in Mexico, was made to promotes the importance of care. Additionally, two videos of life-stories of the women entrepreneurs graduated from the programme including short videos of the stories of young women, the creation of cooperatives and the objective of the programme were produced.
Design of a communication strategy on masculinities UN Women CO 2021/12 Completed A communication strategy was implemented to work on masculinities through different frameworks such as art and cinema. In partnership with Cinepolis, the CO launched 3 virtual cinema debates in Oaxaca and Mexico City. The events reached more than 10K views and 44.4K people.
Recommendation: INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY, REPLICATION AND APPROPRIATION OF THE MODEL, BETTING ON THE STRENGTHENING AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS, THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OPTIONS AND THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS AND INTERESTS OF BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS
Management Response: The 2022 actions included a critical path to strengthen the three pillars model through alliances with key private sector actors; including alliances to enhance the capacities of UN Women with the expertise of WIN WIN programs in the region that allow the scaling of the model
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Increase and strengthen alliances with private sector UN Women CO 2022/01 Completed Bonafont accepted the membership of the chapter of Mexico of Unstereotype Alliance. This Alliance includes 7 companies, such as Unilever, Diageo, Wunderman Thompson, and PepsiCo. The UN CO approached different business chambers of Mexico that helped increase the number of companies that can participate in the program and join the WEPs. The CO worked with the Global Compact on the Target Gender Equality program that aims to promote gender perspective in the private sector and supported Danone in its role as lead of the Gender equality subgroup.
Analyze the feasibility of adopting and adapting Win-Win program strategies for program scaling UN Women CO 2022/01 Completed The CO established contact with the people involved in the implementation of the Win Win program to contribute to women’s economic empowerment and leadership for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth for women entrepreneurs graduated to participate in programme events to strengthen their business skills. The Win Win program in other countries invited Mexico CO to participate in workshops for companies on various business activities with a gender perspective. Mexico CO invited WEPs companies who actively participated in it. A concept note was developed and presented to the EU, with the Regional Office support, to explore the possibility of implementing the program in Mexico. However, for the moment, the EU was not interested. Other funding opportunities will be sought.