Management Response

: Zimbabwe
: 2022 - 2022 , Zimbabwe (CO)
: Mid-Term Evaluation of the Engendering Governance to Promote Peace and Security in Zimbabwe
:
: Zimbabwe
:

Zimbabwe Country Office has appreciated the relevance and timeliness of the midterm evaluation. The identified findings, conclusions, recommendations lessons learned, good practices, and factors that facilitated/hindered achievement will contribute to accountability, learning and decision-making including practical recommendations to inform the management and coordination of project implementation leading towards the final evaluation and other related initiatives on women's participation in leadership and governance.

: Approved
Recommendation: Area: Capacity Strengthening of AWLN Recommendation 1: There is need for further strengthening of the administrative, resource mobilization and movement building capacity of the AWLN secretariat (particularly the Young Women Caucus) to enable the network to be less dependent on UN Women and to work as an independent network for long term sustainability.
Management Response: The CO has been supporting the network ‘s steering committees and has already been engaged in the process of establishing a leadership structure for the AWLN to enable the network to be less dependent on UN Women. Role clarity, and clear segregation of roles is required to support such a structure and the CO, has been supporting members towards the identification or roles and leadership structures that can enable the network sustainability and less reliance on UN Women for technical and funding support.
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Description: Currently the network is entirely dependent on UN Women for technical and funding support, a situation that is not tenable or sustainable in the long term. This also erodes the sense of ownership of the network by members.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Peace and security (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Support the Network to establish leadership structures UN Women 2022/12 Completed AWLN Youth Caucus Committee Executive Structure has been established and the roles have been clarified.
Support the Network to appoint/select their leaders and capacitate them in their roles UN Women and AWLN 2022/12 Completed The leaders have been appointed/selected and they continue to be capacitated
Develop terms of reference for the leadership structure. UN Women and AWLN 2023/01 Completed The Terms of References for the AWLN Youth Caucus Committee Executive Structure have been established
Provide continuous oversight and technical backstopping to the Network UN Women 2023/12 Ongoing support oversight and technical backstopping to the Network will be continuously provided
Recommendation: Area: Capacity Strengthening of AWLN Recommendation 2: AWLN needs to be further capacitated to enable it to register itself as a legal entity, such as a Trust or PVO, so that the movement can be formally recognized and be able to attract funding from donors.
Management Response: Discussions and guidance on Registration of AWLN national Chapters as legal entities are being held at the Regional Level. Therefore, the CO will closely monitor the discussions and update the Network regularly.
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Description: As currently structured as an informal entity, it will be difficult for the movement to attract long-term funding from donors who traditionally prefer supporting formally registered CSOs for purposes of accountability.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Peace and security (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Monitor regional discussions on the registration of the AWLN Chapters and keep AWLN members informed UN Women 2024/12 Ongoing The CO will continue monitoring developments at Regional level
Support AWLN members on the registration process once guidance on registration is received UN Women 2024/12 Ongoing This will be done once guidance is received from AWLN HQ
Recommendation: Area: Inclusiveness and Leaving No One Behind The project needs to be more inclusive by ensuring that more women with disabilities, rural women and other marginalized groups of women meaningfully participate in the capacity building activities of the project. This can be enhanced through rolling out AWLN provincial and District Chapters that will connect with grassroots women. Capacity building training also needs to be decentralized to grassroots level (e.g. training of journalists from community newspapers and radio stations).
Management Response: The Country Office continues to support the project to be inclusive and leave no one behind through increasing representation of women with disabilities and targeting rural women and women living with HIV. UN Women will continue to launch Provincial Chapters through the established working group on decentralization. The launch a Provincial Chapter in Bulawayo took place. The working committee focusing on decentralization was also established for greater ownership and structure around the decentralization of the network at local level.
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Description: Currently in the project there is limited reach and participation of marginalized groups of women such as those with disability and those living outside urban areas.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Peace and security (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Human Rights, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Develop an LNOB strategy for the ZCO UN Women 2023/12 Completed The development of a strategy finalised.
Strengthen Decentralization Working Committee and finalize decentralization of the Network to Provinces, as per funds available UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing The is continues to strengthen the decentralized AWLN Network to Provinces. In 2023, a new AWLN Chapter was established in Mashonaland Central and supported the Bulawayo Chapter to host its first ever commemorative event on International Women’s Day. The Chapters have been critical to linking marginalised women and girls (including women with disabilities) to feminist spaces to engage on women’s leadership and advocate on women’s rights. Other planned decentralization efforts cwill be done in 2024.
Mobilise resources for AWLN to engage marginalized groups UN Women 2024/12 Ongoing The Irish year two funding of Phase III of the budget provides resources to implement activities that include participation women in rural areas who are normally marginalized, for eg resources allocated for decentralized Provincial AWLN Chapters, participation in the follow up High Level Intergenerational dialogue.
Recommendation: Area: Inclusiveness and Leaving No One Behind There is need to provide logistical and funding support to AWLN members, particularly those that are poorly resourced, to ensure that they attend capacity building trainings and meetings and participate in meetings conducted virtually. Such members need bus fare, accommodation and communication to effectively participate in the project activities. Some of the AWLN members failed to consistently attend the network activities due to lack of funds for transport or due to the need to engage in income generating activities. UN Women needs to review its policy in order to support local travel for resource constrained project participants. EP
Management Response: UN Women policies unlike other organisations do not allow transport reimbursements for local travel. Efforts have also been made to provide accommodation, data for participants to participants to attend trainings. Expectations around logistical support provided have remained a challenge as members may have requests that are outside or go beyond what is permitted by UN Women Organizational Policies. While logistical notes have been key in providing information, members have continued to make requests based on comparatives drawn with other local CSOs and organizations which may have different regulations and allowances.
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Description: UN Women needs to review its policy in order to support local travel for resource constrained project participants.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Peace and security (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Human Rights, Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Partner with organisations that provide local transport to cover this gap UN WOMEN 2026/12 Ongoing The CO will continue to partner with local NGOs to cover local transport costs for participants.
Continue to provide data allowances for virtual events within available resources UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing The participants of the AWLN events and other virtual events have been provided with data bundles.
Recommendation: Area: Stakeholder engagement, participation and awareness creation at all stages of the project cycle For ownership and long-term sustainability, stakeholders need to be engaged at all stages of the project life cycle including design. There is need to develop a stakeholder engagement strategy informed by stakeholder mapping to ensure that no key stakeholders miss out at any point of the lifecycle of the project. Partners and stakeholders need to be identified and engaged at the beginning of the project.
Management Response: The project has endeavored to engage key stakeholders at all stages of the Project life cycle, however staff turnout in stakeholder organisations and other factors may result in some stakeholders not having been part of engagements made with the stakeholders on the Project. Efforts are made to mobilize resources based on the activities identified by and conceptualized by the network. Communications and engagement around the finalized results framework can be strengthened to ensure uniform knowledge by the network intended results. Engaging network members in internal UN Women budgeting and fund related meetings may not be possible. UN Women can only provide information as to what is permissible by organizational policies on confidentiality and is stakeholder/beneficiary appropriate or targeted.
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Description: Some partners complained that they were not engaged throughout the project cycle and hence were not aware of some critical components of the project such as the results framework.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Peace and security (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance, Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Continuously update the stakeholder data base UN Women 2026/12 Completed A data base of stakeholders is in place and the CO continues to update it.
Continue to engage and consult stakeholders on project implementation UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing Stakeholders from CSOs, Government and Chapter 12 Commissions are continuously engaged in project development and implementation.
Continue to disseminate project updates and results to stakeholders UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing This is ongoing, Reports, Knowledge products have been disseminated, eg the following Brochures on Online Violence Against Women in Politics.
Recommendation: Area: Improving Efficient utilization of Resources There is need to secure cheaper venues for workshops of the project by considering government institutions and middle of the table hotels so that funds saved can be used to support outstanding activities that could not be implemented due to resource constrains such as consultations in provinces and rolling out of provincial AWLN chapters. Though procuring workshop venues at top quality hotels was understandable during the pick period of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure maximum protection of participants from quality services, cheaper options need to be considered as the pandemic has waned and restrictions have been eased.
Management Response: Selection of Venues is guided by UN Women Regulations and policy which are made to manage risk and ensure participants health and safety. The selection process takes into consideration best value for money, i.e. meeting the minimum technical requirements and selecting the vendor that provides the cheapest option. Efficient utilization of resources was observed on the venues that were procured under the Project. Venue selection can further consider more creative venues to be registered with UN Women
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Description: The proportion of indirect costs is higher than direct costs. More resources need to be channeled towards direct costs to ensure implementation of all planned activities.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Peace and security (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue to ensure efficient utilisation of resources as per UN Women regulations and policies UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing The CO is applying UN Women regulations and policies to ensure efficient use of resources the is being enhanced by the use of new ERP system, Quantum.
Recommendation: Area: Key Outstanding Output Although most outputs have been achieved, there is need to accelerate implementation of key outstanding outputs including: decentralization of AWLN chapters; rolling out of the mentorship programme for young women; support for the finalisation of the National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325 and the Youth Peace and Security Strategy.
Management Response: Implementation of the Project is on course, however timely implementation of activities being led by Government Partners such as UNSCR 1325 & 2250 are dependent on government internal processes, procedures and priorities which may delay implementation.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Peace and security (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Continue to engage partners and stakeholders on accelerated implementation UN Women 2024/12 Ongoing The women peace and security UNSCR 1325 NAP was adopted and signed by the government of Zimbabwe and youth peace and security UNSCR 2250 NAP was developed and validated in 2023.
Accelerate implementation of phase 3 activities UN Women 2024/12 Completed All outstanding activities were successfully completed
Recommendation: Area: Project support beyond the forthcoming elections Changing mindsets, values, beliefs and practices takes a long time and hence there is need to continue with the capacity building and awareness creation initiatives beyond the coming elections next year in 2023. The project also needs to reach grassroots level as well and hence it needs a longer implementation period beyond the current 2-4 years.
Management Response: UN Women will continue implementing activities beyond the project cycle as highlighted in the Country Office Strategic Note 2022-2026. Part of this strategy is to build institutional capacity as a means for sustainability and continuity of activities after funding has ended.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Peace and security (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Continue to advocate for multi-year funding on women’s participation and representation in decision making UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing Funding has been received from Irish, EU, ZIMCO and currently funding proposal on PBF being finalised
Continue to reach women at the grassroots by partnering with organisations that have wide geographical reach and awareness through community radios UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing Partnerships have been established with Musasa, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, WCO Z, HIVOS, Zimbabwe Institute.
Recommendation: Area: Economic Empowerment There is need for the project to consider economic empowerment capacity building initiatives for AWLN members, particularly young women, to enable them to generate economic resources that are so critical in running a leadership campaign. Without financial resources, it is difficult for AWLN members to translate the gained capacity and skills into reality.
Management Response: Although Women Economic Empowerment projects are underfunded in Zimbabwe, UN Women will ensure that there are strong synergies between Women economic Empowerment and Women Political Participation projects. The Country office will purposively target women aspiring candidates in WEE projects.
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Description: Though capacitated, some of the AWLN members noted that they would not be able to participate in elections due to resource limitations.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Peace and security (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Map organisations that work on women’s economic empowerment, disseminate the findings to AWLN Members and link them to relevant organizations and opportunities (to access capacity building, micro-loans and networks etc.) UN Women 2024/12 Ongoing Work is in progress