Overview

The JP aimed to support national efforts in the area of gender with particular emphasis on access to employment for rural women. The programme improved the quality of public information with data and gender-specific statistics and a series of studies which were undertaken to inform policy making on the issues affecting women’s access to the workplace.

The Programme promoted training of public sector officials, media and civil society for the promotion of employment for rural women. Capacity building of national institutions and associations of civil society was achieved through training of gender focal points, followed by training on gender sensitive policy-making, such as a training workshop on GRB (gender responsive budgeting) which was created for executives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to launch help launch a pilot experience at local level, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. Training and awareness raising on gender was undertaken for over 100 journalists from print, radio, national TV and local press. In addition, a directory of resource persons working on gender in Algeria was put together, where 70 experts were identified and classified by region and Wilaya. NGOs’ capacity to advocate for working women’s image promotion and equity/equality values was enhanced through capacity building. In addition, the programme organized several forums to promote dialogue on gender issues between experts, media and civil society.

An information and support center for rural women on micro-projects was established in Djelfa and Adrar. In addition, training of trainers and training activities on micro-projects took place. In Tamanrasset, 120 women infected with HIV received vocational training, an additional 52 received micro-credits to create income generating activities (IGA). This was replicated in Algiers and in Oran.

Outcome 1:

National institution’s decision-making process for strategies and programmes improved through enhanced quality of information and capacity built on gender.

Outcome Achievements:

• The design of a gender database and the creation of a group to ensure it is kept up to date.
• A training workshop on GRB (gender responsive budgeting) was created for executives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to launch a pilot experience at a decentralized level, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.
• Capacity building of national institutions and associations of civil society through training of gender focal points.
• Gender audit performed in 3 sectors (planning, tourism and industry ministries), and presented to a wider audience.
• The following studies were completed and made available to the public: Gender and economic liberalization (impact of gender on economic liberalization); Study on the constraints to women's employment; Study on the feasibility of childcare facilities in rural areas (Tipasa and Djelfa).
• Capacities built on gender sensitive policy-making (trainings and workshops for about 80 civil servants);
• Agriculture Ministry agreed to launch a pilot project on gender-sensitive financial planning (GRB) at a decentralized level in collaboration with the Finance Ministry
• Mapping of NGOs and experts working on gender issues completed (70 experts identified and classified by region);
• Dialogue forum organized (more than 100 direct beneficiaries, experts and other counterparts of JP participated).

Outcome 2:

Women’s employability and access to decent work increased (focus on women from rural and vulnerable environments).

Outcome Achievements:

• In Tamanrasset, 120 women infected with HIV received vocational training, of which 52 received micro-credit for the creation of an IGA (22 women benefited from small grants). This was replicated in Algiers 25 women and in Oran for 29 women.
• An information and rural women support center was established in Djelfa and Adrar.
• Training of trainers in support of women in micro-projects.
• Study on ”women’s employment situation in Algeria” (obstacles for women’s participation in decent labour market identified).
• Second session of capacity building activities completed in Tamanrasset (53 women trained).

Outcome 3:

Working women’s image promoted and equity/equality values reinforced through gender sensitization.

Outcome Achievements:

• Training and Awareness raising for 77 journalists from print, radio and national TV in addition to training of 29 radio journalists and local press on gender.
• Improved knowledge of national expertise working on gender through the creation of a directory of resource persons working on gender in Algeria, where 70 experts were identified and classified by region and Wilaya.
• Increased awareness through the Programme website currently operational.
• Networking of key players through a forum for dialogue in March 2012 with the active participation of over a hundred beneficiaries, experts and partners participating in the program and 2 other forums for dialogue between media and civil society on gender and gender advocacy held in Algiers and Djelfa.
• NGOs’ capacity to advocate for working women’s image and promotion of equity/equality values was enhanced (90 executive staff from women rights’ NGOs in 3 main regions of the country trained; advocacy network created for 1/3 of the NGOs).

Best practices:

• Strong involvement of national counterparts and an intersectorial approach.
• Mentioned in the 2012 National Report for the CEDAW and UPR monitoring as one of the main national interventions on Gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Synergies with other UN projects and progammes in the region were identified.
• Importance of the contribution made towards the rural and vulnerable woman in the case of Tamanrasset (and with an extension to Oran and Algiers) where a total of 177 women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS participated in a pilot project for skill training, generating links between local and national agencies, national policies, civil society organizations and international expertises.

Lessons learned:

• Inception phase of JP formulation crucial to identify resources needed for effective implementation (lack of human resources in JP team - quantity and expertise- or unrealistic workplan, for instance).
• Strong coordination and constant monitoring among JP agency but also with national counterparts mitigates the risk of delays due to non-harmonized administrative and financial processes. 

More details can be found in the documents below.