92180 Cambodia DFGG Learning Note 4 Gender Balance and Bias: An initial analysis of gender disaggregated data in social accountability activities Gender disaggregated data from the Non-State Actors higher for health, education and civil registration related (NSAC) component of the DFGG Project indicate that activity. This aligns with understanding of traditional men and women are engaged in sub-projects in fairly male and female domains. Given that the second grants equal numbers. This does not imply however that the round (launched after this data was collected) included a engagement of men and women in the subprojects is particular focus on the monitoring of health and the same, or that their participation is equal. Men tend education services, it is reasonable to expect that the to attend more activities which require representation percentage of women participating in the projects during and decision, whereas women participate in, and are 2012will increase. often over-represented in, less consequential meetings The analysis also noted that the gender of the organizers and events – often more passive in nature. Different had only a marginal effect on the gender balance of types of projects also lead to different levels and quality participants. With the exception of the Women’s Media of participation by men and women. This learning note Center, which targeted women in their operations, the provides an initial analysis of gender disaggregated data women organizers of the four organizations in the from the activities led by NGOs during 2011. sample did not appear to attract or encourage greater numbers of women participants. During the fourth quarter of 2011, gender disaggregated reporting from the grantees of the DFGG NSAC component indicate that 39,709 citizens participated in activities supported and organized by implementing NGOs (gender disaggregated data was reported for 76 activity/sets). Activities varied substantially, including village meetings, trainings, citizen government inter-face meetings, talk-back radio shows, and information campaigns. Of the total number of registered participants in NSAC activities, 44.5 percent were men and 55.5 percent were women (17,641 men and 22,068 women). Overall, this indicates a satisfactory gender balance, and suggests women were well represented. This representation is generally consistent with NSAC secretariat monitoring of sub-grants, while noting that there is some degree of variation between quarters and that variations are likely in those activities that are not reported. Because the activities reported by the NSAC grantees are diverse, the nature of participation in different events is While this disaggregated data is encouraging, at least in not easily compared. In some events, participation so much as women attended events, the data does not equates to “receiving information”, while in others immediately reveal the nature of this participation and participation is more active and requires participants to how this differs between men and women. When the represent the community in the public sphere. information reported by NGOs is analyzed more deeply, a Nevertheless, four broad categories of participation number of characteristics and patterns of participation – could be identified. by men and women – are discernible. • Participants as receivers/sources of information. Women were considerably over represented in Findings activities where they participated as passive Levels of attendance of men’s and women’s participation recipients of information or passive sources of vary considerably depending on the focus of the social information (e.g. outreach activities, dissemination accountability activity. Typically, men’s participation is meetings, awareness raising campaigns, surveys, and higher in projects that address natural resource larger trainings). In these types of events, 62.5 management (e.g. fishery, access to water) and conflict percent of the reported participants were women, resolution, while the rate of attendance by women is while 37.5 percent were men (sample 27,758). Of Cambodia DFGG The Asia Foundation Gender Balance and Bias the 16 types of activity sets, women were in the empowering in the first round of NSAC activities. Male majority in 13. participation is clearly in the majority in activities where participation denotes more active citizenship. This • Participants formulating public opinion and citizen finding held even for those activities traditionally demands. The balance between men and women considered to be a women’s interest and more likely to shifts when the participation becomes more active attract women’s participation, such as health and and participants had the chance to voice an opinion education. Despite these findings, it should be noted and/or formulate community responses (e.g. that although men are in the majority in activities that community forums, civil society network meetings, involve more active participation (categories 2 and 3), community scorecard rating meetings). Of the 15 representation of women is still quite high in these types types of activities, women were in the majority in of activities – at 40 percent. Considering the limited role only two. Overall, 59 percent men were engaged in traditionally played by women in public affairs in this type of event and 41 percent women (sample Cambodia – reflected in the low number of women 2,477). holding public office – it is still highly likely that the NSAC projects have increased women’s access to public spaces Participation in DFGG Activities and enhanced women’s voice in local decision making. Component 2: Q4, 2011. Actions proposed Women Men The analysis also points toward a number of simple strategies that can be adopted to expand the opportunities for women’s participation in citizen- Advanced capacity building 32 69 government interfaces, in meetings where women are empowered to speak on behalf of the community, and in Citizen-authority interface meetings 39 61 more in-depth capacity building. These strategies could also encourage men in awareness building activities and 41 surveys to improve the gender balance of dissemination Formulating public opinion 59 and feedback activities. Four key steps are now envisaged: (i) raising awareness among NGOs regarding Receivers/sources of information 63 37 the gender imbalances in these projects, and in different kinds of project activities, (ii) providing opportunities for • Participants in citizen-authority interface meetings. organizations to reflect and share experiences, (iii) In activities where citizens met with government promoting the identification of strategies on how to officials, women were less represented: 39 percent address the bias in active roles for women, and (iv) of the participants were women (sample 8,552). monitoring and measuring change. Women were in the majority in only four of 29 While practical strategies to correct imbalances in activities such as community scorecard interface representation are important to enhance women’s meetings, commune council meetings,public forums. engagement in social accountability activities – they will • Participation in more advanced capacity building of not on their own ensure empowered and equal citizens. In the twelve in-depth capacity building engagement. Acton is also needed to increase our events primarily targeted at project volunteers and understanding of the incentives and disincentives that community leaders, 68.5 percent men and 31.5 determine the qualitative differences in men’s and percent women participated (sample 787). Although women’s participation – including practical and cultural this sample is small and may vary between reporting obstacles. We also need to improve how we measure periods, the data indicates that opportunities to gender impacts of different approaches to engagement, improve skills are dominated by men. noting any activity that reinforces existing inequalities. These issues will be addressed in future lesson learning While more women attend less empowering activities and NGO network meetings in Cambodia. requiring less engagement, the proportion of women participating in more empowering activities is still The DFGG Learning Note Series provides quick summaries of lessons learned significant, at about 40 percent. Although we should be in the DFGG reflected in progress reports, workshops and World Bank Implementation Support missions. End evaluations will provide further cautious about drawing general conclusions on the basis reflection on these issues. of the data examined, the analysis strongly suggests that women’s participation is more passive and possibly less DFGG Learning Note 4 reflects lessons from the Non State Actor’s Component. Written by Andreas Dolk, Program Manager, The Asia Foundation. Janelle Plummer (Series Editor)