F.A.Q.

The United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) and the Centre of the Arab Woman for training and Research (CAWTAR) decided to collaborate on their experience and knowledge in the field of the participation of the women in the political life and the processes of decision making. Indeed, UN-INSTRAW has vast experience in the field of research and training for women political participation - especially in Latin America - and with its international approach it provides CAWTAR with a good framework to approach the question of participation of woman in political life in Arab countries, taking advantage of studies made in this area and engagement with key players.

The three countries have made progress at their national legislation level with regards to equality between the sexes and ratified the majority of international conventions relating to the consolidation of women's rights; however in practice the representation of women in the political sphere remains very weak and women face obstacles preventing them from entering the political arena. A greater awareness is therefore needed on this subject in order to harmonize the legislation with the reality of female political participation and to overcome barriers.

Because :

• This is the first UN-INSTRAW intervention in the Maghreb and a set of themes has already been tested in the countries of Latin America.
• Political rates of participation of the women in the three countries remain weak in spite of legal and institutional reform.
• There are good practices and positive experiences which can be developed in the Arab world.

Although there are similarities between the three countries, in terms of socio-economic, political and cultural characteristics, the project will take into account the differences existing in each country with an aim to exploit the diversity and richness of this area but at the same time to create common objectives to contribute to the improvement of the status of women, particularly in the political arena...
The project will adopt a regional and participative approach in order to facilitate learning and experience sharing and to reinforce coordination between the various key players by involving them in a process of joint and coordinated efforts.

Women of the three countries as well as the key players intervening directly or indirectly in the dynamics of reinforcement of female leadership and the participation of the woman in the political life and the decision-making process. In particular, government decision makers, politicians, members of municipal councils, academia, the media, multilateral cooperation agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civilian bodies working in the field of gender.

The project was launched in July 2008 and will last for three years (2008-2011).

The project will consist of three major phases through the components of research, training, advocacy and networking :

• Acquisition and a better knowledge of the obstacles, challenges and opportunities related to female leadership, the participation of the women in political life and the processes of decision making at different levels.
• Training and awareness raising; in particular through good practice and experience sharing aimed at key players in political life.
• Encourage dialogue between all the parties involved to ensure effective implementation.

• By contributing to international, national, regional and sub-regional initiatives aimed at the political enabling of women. These initiatives relate to research, training, communication and networking.
• By mobilizing and challenging the key players involved in the initiative to reinforce the participation of women in the political arena.
• By supporting a participative approach for a dialogue between the key players to lead to a strategic plan contributing to the reinforcement of the role of women in the political field at central and local levels.