Overview
The International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have established a Joint Programme entitled "Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment (Gender Equality)”, using a pass-through funding modality. The Joint Programme strengthens capacity and coordinates national gender commitments and women’s empowerment initiatives in the Republic of Liberia. It is aligned with the Government of Liberia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (2009-11).
The Gender Equality Joint Programme encompasses:
- A duration of 3 years, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011; and
- Partnerships with the Ministry of Gender and Development, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labour.
The Gender Equality Joint Programme is administered by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund Office (MDTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with its financial regulations and rules.
Assistance Strategy
The overall goal of the Gender Equality Joint Programme in the Republic of Liberia is to reduce poverty and achieve gender equality. The main components are:
Component 1: Support to Establish Gender Sensitive Policies and Coordination Mechanisms
The expected result is coordination and accountability mechanisms strengthened for gender sensitive policies and programmes.
Component 2: Capacity Building for the Ministry of Gender Development, line Ministries, and Civil Society
The expected result is capacity development for effective engagement and accountability in the implementation of gender sensitive policies and programmes.
Component 3: Support for the Implementation of Priority Initiatives to Empower Women
The expected result is women's empowerment through their enhanced earning potential, their increased employment opportunities, and their improved educational achievement will increased.
The commitment of the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to the Gender Equality Joint Programme is reflected in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The Joint Programme contributes to UNDAF outcomes 2 - equitable socio-economic development; and outcome 3 - democratic, accountable, transparent, and participatory governance in accordance with human rights standards. The Joint Programme contributes towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 3, to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Governance
The Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment (Gender Equality) Joint Programme is implemented jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) using a pass-through funding modality. UNIFEM is the lead agency. The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme.
Steering Committee
The main objective of the national Steering Committee is to facilitate effective implementation and coordination of the Gender Equality Joint Programme. The Steering Committee consists of: the Ministry of Gender and Development, the Ministry of Labour, ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIFEM, UNOPS, with substantial input from women's organizations and networks.
Administrative Agent
The Multi-Donor Trust Fund Office (MDTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Gender Equality Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donor(s) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organisations.
Decision Making
The Steering Committee discusses and approves work plans and budgets as well as any substantive or financial issues pertaining to implementation of the Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment (Gender Equality) Joint Programme in the Republic of Liberia. The members assume responsibility for performing joint monitoring of Gender Equality Joint Programme activities. Decisions are made by consensus. Members provide regular feedback on its implementation and propose any necessary corrective actions to resolve problems, ensure accountability, and make recommendations.
The Administrative Agent [Multi-Donor Trust Fund Office (MDTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)] for the Gender Equality Joint Programme is responsible for the receipt, administration, and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organisations; and consolidation of financial reports produced by each of the Participating UN Organisations and Participating Non-UN Organisations and provision of these reports to the Steering Committee for onward submission to the donor(s).
