There is a gap that runs through every populated continent on Earth. It impacts the daily living of millions and is a major obstacle to international development work.

It is the gender gap.

In the Fall edition of CLWR’s newsletter, Partnership, the issue of gender equity is raised and discussed. In this online supplement, Partnership Online, we want to share with you the results CLWR has achieved in gender equity over the last few years. This is a good time to do so. In 2008, CLWR wrapped up a three-year program period tied to funding from the Canadian government, which included gender equity programs. CLWR is proud and grateful to report that this past summer the next multi-year program was approved for funding by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

In total, over 16,400 people have been trained in gender-related issues through our work in the past three years. Let’s take a look at the results of CLWR’s gender equity programs from 2005-2008 in the five countries that received funding.

Bolivia

To foster gender inclusiveness and equity, CLWR leads by example. In Bolivia, for instance, CLWR’s three local partner organizations strive for a fair balance of men and women on staff. One partner has accomplished this while the other two have achieved it either in their office staff or field staff, but not yet agency-wide.

The next step in gender equity is at the level of community leaders. CLWR runs gender equity and leadership training to strengthen the voice and unity of communities as a whole. In the last year alone, 61 leaders ere trained (26 of whom were female).

Peru

Through popular radio programming that reaches remote and impoverished communities, CLWR helped produce and air a radiotheatre play that looked at the life of Andean women. It was extremely well-received, as was a farm calendar that featured the environmental wisdom and knowledge of Andean women.

Mozambique

Dozens of awareness-raising sessions on human rights and gender equity introduced almost 6,000 households to the importance of including women in decision making and leadership roles. Women’s groups received knitting kits, vegetable seeds, and baking and sewing materials to help them bring in income. Twenty-one such groups learned business management skills through CLWR training courses.

Zambia

A promising indicator in Zambia is that over half of the top decision makers in CLWR-fostered community groups are women. It’s reported that the way men and women view each other has changed, including their views on roles and responsibilities.

Women, for instance, can now go on business trips while husbands take care of their children. Women can grow cash crops like cotton, which were previously the domain of men. And there is reportedly less violence against women, making them freer to express themselves.

India

Like Zambia, encouraging results have come out of India, a country with a major gender divide. Women’s participation in development activities has increased significantly in almost all communities. Another positive sign in all communities comes in the form of men’s participation in gender training, particularly young men.

Gender equity is tied to legal issues like domestic violence, under/earlyage marriage, dowry and wage parity. These issues are explored through awareness meetings and the involvement of local police and lawyers as resource persons. The end result is an improved understanding of laws and rights within the community.