Support to Gender and Development Consultation

Results achieved as of the end of the project include: The project helped to strengthen the integration of gender equality considerations into partners’ programs projects and policies. The consultation mechanisms were strengthened and a common fund was created. 600 resource people in 12 provincial capitals were made aware of gender issues. Some ten political advocacy meetings were held with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and seven ministerial departments. Civil society organizations were equipped to influence gender-based poverty reduction policies. Through these results this project helped to strengthen aid effectiveness. A consultation forum comprising all bilateral and multilateral donors active in Burkina Faso exists and it represents and speaks for all technical and financial partners on gender issues in discussion with the government and civil society. A culture of joint financing and harmonization of donor procedures exists to fund joint gender equality initiatives. This coordination also enabled the preparation and adoption of a national gender policy in July 2009 the adoption of the law concerning quotas for women in elected positions (2010) and a framework for consultation between the Ministry of Women’s Affairs donors and civil society organizations.