Gender Reform Program –Technical Assistance # 3832

The overall objective of the Technical Assistance (TA) for Gender Reform Program was to strengthen the capacity of the Government to reform institutions and systems dealing with the issues of gender and development. The specific objectives of the TA were (i) to support Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education (MOWD) to formulate a gender reform action plan (GRAP) to address the issue of lack of effective policy and institutional mechanisms for gender mainstreaming; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of MOWD and Women Development Departments (WDDs) to initiate and institutionalize the process of reforms. The TA have two components: Component 1: Institutional Reforms-Gender Reform Action Plan. The TA assisted and supported preparation of gender reform action plan (GRAP) that delineate scope, design of policy and institutional reforms with clear goals, objectives, development paradigm, organogram, powers and authority, rules of business, procedures of reporting, flow of funds, methodology of processing a case, job descriptions, and service rules for MOWD, WDDs, and NCSW. It proposed sets of short and long-term investment options for review and submission to the appropriate fora for consideration to incorporate it into the PSDP and ADP. In addition, it includes a change management plan for institutional restructuring; capacity building requirements of MOWD and WDDs to institutionalize reforms; mitigation of negative impacts of institutional restructuring on staff; improved gender planning, budgeting, and auditing systems; methodology and mechanisms for implementation and monitoring of the action plan; identification and role of executing agencies, cost estimates, and financing arrangements; and a timeframe for implementation of the action plan. Component 2: Capacity Building of MOWD and WDDs. This component include support for MOWD and WDDs to initiate and institutionalize the process of reform. Five institutional reform cells were established in the Ministry and WDDs. Technical expertise and office facilities were provided, and staff trained in conceptual and technical skills to initiate and institutionalize the reform process. The second activity included training of 150 permanent professional staff MOWD and WDDs and line ministries to upgrade their conceptual and technical skills. Based on training needs assessment, a training plan prepared and implemented focusing the above areas of expertise.