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2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Global Affairs Canada departmental progress report for Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

Table of content

Definitions

Target: What Canada aims to accomplish by the end of the lifespan of the Action Plan OR by the proposed target date.

Baseline: A “baseline” is a clearly defined starting point identified for comparative purposes. A baseline can be described in a quantitative or qualitative manner.

Activity: The actions Canada will undertake to advance from the baseline to the target.

Indicator: The quantitative or qualitative marker used to gauge how well Canada is moving from the baseline to the target.

Objectives: The five main objectives of Canada’s National Action Plan represent the outcome level in the Action Plan’s theory of change. Progress in achieving a specific target contribute to advancing one of these objectives. We have assigned targets—which are generally at the action or immediate outcome level in the theory of change, to objectives to facilitate the measuring and presentation of results at the aggregate, outcome level in the theory of change, to objectives to facilitate the measuring and presentation of results at the aggregate, outcome level.

Internal capacity and efficiency: The Internal capacity and efficiency. category was added to collect targets that include activities aiming at improving our own capacity to implement the Action Plan, such as mandating GBA Plus training or creating gender advisor positions.

Abbreviations

ACCBP
Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program
C-34
Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
CFLI
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
CFSI
Canadian Foreign Service Institute
CNAP
Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
CSO
Civil society organization
CT
Counter-terrorism
CTCBP
Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program
CVE
Countering-violent extremism
DRC
Democratic Republic of Congo
EIF
United Nation Elsie Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations
FARC
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
FY
Fiscal year
GAC
Global Affairs Canada
GBA Plus
Gender-based Analysis Plus
GBV
Gender-based violence
GE
Gender Equality
ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross
IOF
International Organisation of La Francophonie
2SLGBTQI+
2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, plus
MHPSS
Mental health and psychosocial support
NAP
National Action Plan
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NGO
Non-governmental organization
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OSCE
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
P/CVE
Preventing and countering violent extremism
PSOPs
Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
SEA
Sexual exploitation and abuse
SGBV
Sexual and gender-based violence
SRHR
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
UNGA
United Nations General Assembly
UNPKM
United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial
UNSCR
United Nations Security Council Resolution
VAW
Violence against women
WAGE
Women and Gender Equality Canada
WMD
Weapons of mass destruction
WTRP
Weapons Threat Reduction Program
WPS
Women, Peace and Security
WVL
Women’s Voice and Leadership

Executive summary

Global Affairs Canada’s implementation plan for the Government of Canada’s second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (CNAP-2) included 98 targets across development, humanitarian and peace and stabilization engagements.

The targets in the implementation plan were set for a selection of countries and programs to focus our efforts and facilitate progress measurement. Global Affairs Canada recognizes that implementation of the WPS agenda is a cross-cutting effort and strives to integrate the agenda into all relevant lines of work. This report is not an exhaustive overview of all departmental efforts to implement the WPS agenda, but rather provides a snapshot of this work to provide transparency and identify successes, progress, challenges, and areas for improvement.

Methodological notes

Reporting on Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security follows the fiscal year. This final report on the second Action Plan covers the period of 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023 (FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23).Footnote 1 The initial report on the third Acton Plan will cover the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 (FY 2023/24) to ensure continuity of reporting.

Every target is assigned a rating based on progress achieved to date: the methodology for assigning ratings is outlined in Annex 1. Two ratings were added for this last progress report under CNAP-2:

  1. “closed” targets that were time-bound; and
  2. “suspended” targetsFootnote 2 where significant changes to the operating environment posed a severe and lasting impact on Canada’s ability to achieve the intended results; this was namely the case in the context of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

For the purposes of this report, suspended and/or closed targets were at times removed from the calculations of overall progress on targets where their inclusion would be misleading; this is specified in footnotes.

Target ratings

The report provides details on completed activities and analyzes results. Some changes were made to the GAC implementation plan in FY 2018/19 to ensure that targets, activities, and indicators better capture progress, clarify language, reduce redundancies, and become more ambitious. Further changes and improvements are foreseen under the next Action Plan, Foundations for Peace: Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023-2029).

Results

Text version

Progress of Targets by FY 2022/23, disaggregated by objective:

Internal Capacity and Efficiency:

  • Achieved of surpassed: 96%
  • Attention required: 4%

Objective 1:

  • Achieved of surpassed: 89%
  • Attention required: 11%

Objective 2:

  • Achieved or surpassed: 100%

Objective 3:

  • Achieved or surpassed: 100%

Objective 4:

  • Achieved or surpassed: 100%

Objective 5:

  • Achieved of surpassed: 75%
  • Attention required: 25%

In total, 27 targets contributed to Objective 1: Increase the meaningful participation of women, women’s organizations and networks in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict state-building. This objective included targets on supporting greater representation of women in institutions and mechanisms responsible for conflict prevention and resolution, as well as supporting gender mainstreaming efforts of these institutions; providing support to women’s organizations for advancing gender equality, including on preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); as well as all targets related to advocacy on WPS. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, 22 targets were active, and 5 targets were closed. Of the active targets contributing to this objective in FY 2021/22, 13% (3/22) were Achieved or Surpassed, 77% (17/22) were On Track (12), 4% (1/22) was Mostly On Track, and 4% (1/22) was Attention Required. In the final year of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), of the targets contributing to this objective, 91% (20/22) were Achieved or Surpassed, and 9% (2/22) were Attention Required.Footnote 4

Ten targets contributed to Objective 2: Prevent, respond to and end impunity for SGBV perpetrated in conflict and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by peacekeepers and other international personnel, including humanitarian and development staff. This objective included targets such as building the capacity of health institutions to address SGBV cases; enhancing the knowledge and exercise of women’s and girls’ human rights, including those related to SGBV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); as well as enhancing the use of justice support services, particularly in cases related to SGBV. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, all 10 targets remained active. Of the ten targets contributing to this objective in FY 2021/22, 10% (1/10) were Achieved or Surpassed, 90% (9/10) were rated as On Track. In the final year of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), of the targets contributing to this objective, 100% (10/10) were Achieved or Surpassed.

In total, 32 targets contributed to Objective 3: Promote and protect women’s and girls’ human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected settings. This objective included targets on gender mainstreaming in counter-terrorism and international anti-crime policy and advocacy; integration of gender issues into diplomacy on disarmament; women’s political, social and economic empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected states; gender-sensitive criminal investigations; women’s access to justice and legal representation; as well as girls’ access to education. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, 31 targets were active, and 1 target was closed. Of these targets, 29% (9/31) were Achieved or Surpassed, and 71% (22/31) were rated as On Track, in FY 2021/22. In the final year of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), of the targets contributing to this objective, 100% (31/31) were Achieved or Surpassed.

Two targets contributed to Objective 4: Meet the specific needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings, including the upholding of their sexual and reproductive rights and access to sexual and reproductive health services. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, both targets remained active. Both targets (100%) continued to be rated as On Track in FY 2021/22 and were considered Achieved or Surpassed in FY 2022/23.

A total of 4 targets contributed to the Action Plan’s final objective, Objective 5: Strengthen the capacity of peace operations to advance the WPS agenda. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, all 4 targets remained active. Of these targets in FY 2021/22, 75% (3/4) were On Track, and 25% (1/4) was rated as Attention Required. In the final year of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), of the targets contributing to this objective, 75% (3/4) were Achieved or Surpassed, while 25% (1/4) remained as Attention Required. This target was not achieved due to context-specific operational challenges.Footnote 5

Beyond the targets assigned to meet the five objectives of the Action Plan, the GAC implementation plan also measured internal capacity and efficiency, as success in this area is critical to ensuring that WPS principles are advanced in all of the department’s work. The GAC implementation plan has 23 targets dedicated to improving internal capacity and efficiency, which supports the achievement of the five objectives. In both FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, 18 targets were active, and 5 targets were closed. Of these targets in FY 2021/22, 22% (4/18) were Achieved or Surpassed, 72% (13/18) were On Track, and 5% (1/18) was rated as Attention Required. In the final year of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), 94% (17/18) targets were rated as Achieved or Surpassed, while 5% (1/18) remained rated as Attention Required. The only target not achieved was regarding the timely tabling and publication of this report.Footnote 6

Overall, the report demonstrates that significant efforts have been made towards the implementation and reporting of Action Plan targets. By the end of CNAP-2 (FY 2022/23), 95% (91/96) of targets were Achieved or Surpassed, while 5% (5/96) were Attention Required (not achieved). This conclusion does not include 2 targets that were prematurely suspended. Of the 64 targets that were rated On Track in FY 2021/22, 100% were considered Achieved or Surpassed in FY 2022/23.

CNAP-2 achieved the best results under Objective 2, Objective 3, and Objective 4 where 100% of targets (10/10, 32/32, and 4/4, respectively) were achieved or surpassed. Additionally, GAC demonstrated excellent results in improving internal capacity and efficiency, whereby 96% (22/23) targets were achieved or surpassed. The only target under this objective not achieved was regarding the timely tabling and publishing of this report.

Thematic programs

1. Global Issues and Development Branch

Context

Through the Global Issues and Development Branch, Global Affairs Canada engages with multilateral and international organizations to advance Canadian development and humanitarian priorities. These partners have the capacity, expertise, and mandate to address global challenges, achieve sustainable development results, including in fragile and conflict-affected states, and respond effectively in humanitarian crises. Initiatives supported by this program help Canada shape international assistance policy, promote an effective and efficient multilateral development and humanitarian system, and address global issues—including Gender Equality (GE) and the empowerment of women and girls; environment, climate action and water; peace and security; human rights, governance, democracy and inclusion; health, education and nutrition; and inclusive and green economic growth.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance aims to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity for people affected by humanitarian crises. This includes providing financial support to experienced humanitarian partners responding to these crises, such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and non-governmental organizations, founded on the humanitarian principles of human dignity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. It also includes engagement with humanitarian organizations and networks to support and strengthen the capacity of the humanitarian system. Canada’s increasing support to experienced humanitarian partners in SRHR in emergencies is helping to address gender-based gaps in access to reproductive health services; to integrate comprehensive GBV response and treatment in reproductive health; and provide safe spaces for women and girls.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and GE into Canada’s conflict prevention, relief and recovery efforts

Target 1.1

The capacity, skills, knowledge and resources for GE, primarily among Global Affairs Canada officers, are increased.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2022/23, a total of 475 Global Affairs Canada (GAC) staff and partners participated in gender equality (GE) courses delivered by GE specialists. MGS co-hosted a webinar on GE coding in climate finance for Partnering for Climate (135 participants); co-hosted with Oxfam Canada, "Feminist Innovation in Action: A Coffee Chat on the Women's Voice Leadership (WVL) Learning Hub"(181 participants); was a panelist at the UN Women workshop "Member State and Civil Society Dialogue: Countering the backlash-keeping gender-based violence on the agenda"; facilitated 4 workshops for GAC staff and partners in Côte d'Ivoire on the theme: Management for GE Results (131 participants); delivered orientation sessions on GAC GE staff roles and responsibilities and GE specialists' services standards for the Benin and Burkina Faso programs (18 participants); hosted the session on 'Tips and tricks on applying a feminist approach and integrating GE in GAC's work in the Middle East' (10 participants); hosted an orientation session on the Feminist International Aid Policy (FIAP) and its programmatic implications for local GE specialist in Senegal; facilitated workshops with three partners implementing SRHR projects in Tanzania; and participated in a Gender Net Presentation on Canada's experience of gender equality financial targets.

In FY 2021/22, 946 GAC staff and partners benefited from GE training delivered by MGS. MSS (Environment Division) and the WGM (Sub-Saharan Africa Branch) GE Working Group hosted the webinar ’’Applying a feminist approach to climate change and biodiversity programming’’ (177 participants). MGS also hosted a WVL learning workshops for WVL Francophone Africa and Haiti (2 events, 509 participants) and a WVL learning workshops for WVL Anglophone and Lusophone Africa (4 events, 260+ participants).

Canada also continued to actively participate in negotiations, working with like-minded donors and partners to protect and advance language pertaining to gender equality, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), within ECOSOC and UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions.

Canada has remained steadfast in its national statements to advocate for gender-responsive humanitarian action, especially mitigating risks pertaining to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and strengthening access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services.

Challenges

While Canada continues to advocate for strong language on SRHR, SGBV, and Gender Equality through its negotiation of the key humanitarian resolutions at ECOSOC and UNGA, there is increasing opposition to GBV, SRH, and Gender Equality language. Canada and like-minded allies have worked hard to prevent backsliding on previously agreed language in these resolutions.

Human interest story

Global Affairs Canada’s Women’s Voice and Leadership program partnered with The Carter Center and Réseau des femmes pour la protection des droits de l’enfant et de la femme (REFEDEF) to address discriminatory customs against women and girls in the Kasai Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. REFEDEF established community networks and engaged with local leaders and customary authorities to challenge ancestral norms. They conducted awareness sessions for traditional chiefs, emphasizing the impact of these customs on women and girls. While the chiefs acknowledged the need for change, they emphasized the importance of respecting the ancestors who established these practices.

REFEDEF’s approach, which included honoring the ancestors and paying fines on behalf of affected women and girls, gained the support of the chiefs. As a result, communities have abandoned customs that degraded and discriminated against women and girls. In Bakwa Odia and Bena Binku villages, women caught in adultery faced public humiliation, physical punishment, and fines. REFEDEF worked with customary chiefs and midwives to replace this norm. Through collaboration and dialogue, REFEDEF and its partners have achieved significant progress in eliminating discriminatory practices, empowering women, and fostering more inclusive communities in the Kasai Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Target 1.2

80% of global humanitarian assistance funding integrate GEFootnote 7 by 2021* to better meet the needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FYs 2021/22 and 2022/23, Canada continued to integrate gender equality considerations into its humanitarian efforts to address the unmet needs and priorities of women and girls. An average of 96.5% of Canada’s humanitarian assistance projects integrated gender equality considerations over both years, with the exception of funding for humanitarian logistics operations. This surpasses the target of 80% by 2021 and builds upon successive achievements across each FY since the C-NAP 2 was launched.

In 2021/22 and 2022/23, Canada’s Humanitarian Assistance Program continued to support experienced UN, Red Cross, and civil society partners and advocated for partners to ensure that their programming contributed to a stronger, more gender-responsive and more accountable humanitarian sector. For example, Canada is providing multi-year humanitarian funding—$75 million over FY 2021/22 to FY 2023/24—to Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB) to provide life-saving food assistance in humanitarian situations.

Thanks to this funding, CFGB supported 261,000 beneficiaries in 13 countries in FY 2021/22. CFGB incorporated specific gender analyses into project design, implementation, and reporting to ensure women and girls received appropriate, essential, and safe life-saving assistance.

In addition, Canada also provides targeted support to ensure more gender-responsive humanitarian assistance. For example, Canada provided $2.6 million over 3 fiscal years in funding to CARE/Oxfam for a multi-year project (FY 2021/22 to FY 2023/24) that aims to strengthen women’s leadership and rights in humanitarian situations in Bangladesh, South Sudan and Somalia. This included efforts to build women’s rights actors capacity to work on humanitarian issues, respond to crises, and/or to advocate for the inclusion of women’s interests and needs in humanitarian responses and increase local capacity for gender in emergencies.

Challenges

Canada continued to surpass its target of 80% of funding integrating gender equality considerations in 2022 and 2023. However, Canada works within a global humanitarian system to respond to humanitarian crises. This system continues to face challenges with systematically integrating gender equality considerations. For instance, there is no standardized way to collect relevant data and measure gender transformative change throughout the humanitarian system.

Further, the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation (IAHE) on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls (GEEWG) found in 2021 that the humanitarian system lacks necessary capacity on gender equality to improve performance and country-level leadership, and that accountability on gender remains inconsistent. This finding continued to be relevant.

Priority - Realize women’s and girls’ human rights, particularly on preventing and responding to sexual and GBV in humanitarian settings

Target 1.3

Advocacy by Canada on preventing and responding to SGBV in emergencies is increased.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 4.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 4.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Leading the Call to Action in FY 2019/20 enabled Canada to have increased influence on collective efforts to mitigate, prevent and respond to SGBV in emergencies and to elevate this issue in multilateral fora. Though Canada transferred leadership of the Call to Action to Denmark in 2021, the Canada-led 2021-2025 strategic Road Map for SGBV prevention and response continued to be a valuable tool in addressing SGBV in emergencies at the global scale; strengthening its focus on gender equality, empowerment of women and girls, intersectionality, sexual and reproductive health services, localization and accountability.

Throughout FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23 Canada leveraged its position as a top humanitarian donor on the governance mechanisms of UN and multilateral partners to advocate for all partners to ensure that humanitarian programming mitigated SGBV and was prioritized as part of all humanitarian response efforts.

For example, through its chairpersonship of the Pooled Fund Working Group in FY 2022/23, Canada played a leadership role in revising the Country-Based Pooled Fund Global Guidelines; through which Canada prioritized the inclusion of dedicated thematic sections on SGBV and GE. In recognition of the critical role, these funds play in providing funding directly to local actors, in 2022, Canada contributed $118.85 million to UN CBPFs, representing a 2.4-time increase from Canada’s 2020 contributions.

Canada also continued to actively participate in negotiations, working with like-minded donors and partners to protect and advance language pertaining to gender equality, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and SRHR, within ECOSOC and UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions. Canada has remained steadfast in its national statements to advocate for gender-responsive humanitarian action, especially mitigating risks pertaining to CRSV and strengthening access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services.

Challenges

While Canada continues to advocate for strong language on SRHR, SGBV, and Gender Equality through its negotiation of the key humanitarian resolutions at ECOSOC and UNGA, there is increasing opposition to GBV, SRH, and Gender Equality language. Canada and like-minded allies have worked hard to prevent backsliding on previously agreed language in these resolutions, whenever possible.

Priority - Reduce gender inequalities in access to and control over the resources and benefits of development

Target 1.4

Canada demonstrates increased leadership on advancing SRHR in fragile and humanitarian settings.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 4.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 4.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Canada continued to demonstrate leadership on advancing SRHR and prevention of, and response to, SGBV in fragile and humanitarian settings throughout FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23. This includes through $376 million in FY 2021/22 and $268 million in FY 2022/23 in support of humanitarian partners for SRH services in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

For example, Canada provided multi-year regional funding for UNFPA in the Middle East to support the coordination of SGBV and SRHR in humanitarian response plans. This includes building national capacities, with a focus on local organizations and women-led organizations, as well as support advocacy on SGBV and SRHR.Canada also provided support to NGO Humanitarian partners providing SRHR and SGBV response/prevention services in crisis. This support helped to prevent death, disease and disability related to unwanted pregnancies, obstetric complications and reproductive disorders, and GBV.

For example, Canada’s funding to ACF in 2022 supported awareness-raising sessions on SRHR, GBV, MHPSS, and available services, in collaboration with local women-led organizations, training, as well as essential gender-responsive sexual, reproductive, and maternal health services for over 470,000 women, men, boys and girls. In Chad, Canada’s support to ACF in collaboration with the local women-led organization - Association des Femmes Para Jurisstes - provided awareness-raising sessions on SRHR, SGBV, MHPSS and available services to 9,870 people (5,187 women, 2,702 men, 1,381 girls and 600 boys) as well as essential gender-responsive sexual, reproductive, and maternal health service to 6,897 pregnant women.

Challenges

The majority of Canadian humanitarian funding in an average year is provided to multilateral partners either as fully un-earmarked, softly earmarked, or earmarked at the country level but with full flexibility given to partners to allocate according to needs. This model of consistent, predictable support provides a number of benefits, including: the elimination of gaps in staffing that hinder sensitive gender-related work; ensuring staff are able to build contextual understanding for effectiveness in coordination and referral systems; and creates space for innovation, such as through cash or voucher programs. However, it is difficult to track the specific figures of Canadian funding that multilateral partners allocate for SGBV and SRH programming as a result.

2. Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs)

Context

Canada is taking concrete actions to prevent and respond to conflicts abroad and to support UN peace operations in building a more peaceful and prosperous world. In 2018, Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) became a permanent program within Global Affairs Canada (GAC). This is an important step forward in how the Government of Canada is equipped and structured to prevent conflict and respond to global peace and stability challenges. PSOPs is the Government of Canada’s principal platform for conflict prevention, stabilization and peacebuilding. It engages in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS) leveraging resources of, and partnerships with, multilateral institutions, NGOs, implementing partners, and like-minded nations.

PSOPs contributes to improved peace, security, and stability for all people in FCAS. Its policy, operations, and programming are guided by GBA Plus and gender equality principles to ensure gender-responsive interventions and inclusive access to justice, social services, economic opportunity, political power and good governance. PSOPs also coordinates the implementation of Canada’s NAP on WPS. It actively promotes the role of women in conflict resolution, prevention and post-conflict state building, and contributes to the prevention of and accountability for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

Priority - Increase funding for the implementation of the WPS agenda

Target 2.1

Increase funding of the WPS agenda.

2.1.1. 15% of projects target GE as a specific objective (GE03) by the end of FY 2022/23 (corresponding to $13.5 million annually by the end of FY 2022/23)

2.1.2. 80% of projects integrate GE (GE01 and GE02) by the end of the FY 2022/23

2.1.3. Reduce to a minimum the number of projects that do not advance GE (GE00)

2.1.4. Increased # of regional and local women’s organizations supported.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4/Objective 3.

Baseline

In FY 2017/18, PSOPs produced the following results:

In FY 2018/19, PSOPs produced the following results:

Activity

IndicatorFootnote 9

Results and progress

In order to increase funding for the implementation of the WPS agenda, PSOPs has:

PSOPs-supported projects GE table (FY 2022/23)
FY 2022/23Project countProject value
# of projects% of totalValue% of total
GE0000.00%-0.00%
GE013317.74%$28,926,235.3116.92%
GE029350.00%$88,921,212.9552.02%
GE036032.26%$53,080,521.3031.05%
Total186100.00%$170,927,969.56100.00%
PSOPs-supported projects GE table (FY 2021/22)
FY 2021/22Project countProject value
# of projects% of totalValue% of total
GE0031.75%$3,735,502.002.82%
GE012414.04%$33,854,831.9325.55%
GE029052.36%$76,013,205.7257.36%
GE035431.58%$18,913,972.7514.27%
Total171100.00%$132,517,512.40100.00%
Proportion of projects per GE code
Text version

Proportion of projects per GE code:

Project2016/20172017/20182018/20192019/20202020/20212021/20222022/2023
GE-013.98%10.24%4.96%2.33%1.74%1.74%0.00%
GE-143.01%33.86%34.75%31.78%23.48%13.95%17.74%
GE-229.03%37.80%39.72%41.86%49.57%52.91%50.00%
GE-313.98%18.11%20.57%24.03%25.22%31.40%32.26%
Proportion of funding per GE code
Text version

Proportion of funding per GE code:

Amount2016/20172017/20182018/20192019/20202020/20212021/20222022/2023
GE-04.30%3.17%1.92%3.10%0.77%2.82%0.00%
GE-172.34%71.34%46.51%39.07%27.73%25.55%16.92%
GE-218.59%18.29%29.35%46.29%56.06%57.36%52.02%
GE-34.78%7.20%22.22%11.54%15.44%14.27%31.05%

Through the direct and indirect support from PSOPs to local and regional women’s organizations:

Priority - Report on the implementation of the Action Plan

Target 2.2

Annual progress reports on the implementation of the Action Plan are aimed to be tabled in Parliament every September. In addition, an independent midterm review and summative evaluation are conducted six (6) months after the end of the report in collaboration with civil society.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention required/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Attention required/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

As part of the ongoing evaluation of CNAP-2, Canada contracted Gender Associations International Consulting to conduct an independent midterm review of the Action Plan. The evaluation covered efficiency of the reporting process, relevance of targets and indicators, and effectiveness of Action Plan coordination mechanisms. The independent consultants conducted document reviews, interviewed and surveyed Government of Canada staff, and conducted a workshop with civil society to produce several recommendations on how to improve monitoring, evaluation, and coordination of the Action Plan moving forward. These recommendations included simplifying and finding alternative approaches to annual reporting, reducing, and revising the number of indicators, strengthening results-based management, and strengthening internal coordination mechanisms and coordination with civil society. The results of the midterm review guided the development of CNAP-3.

Intended to bring GAC’s reporting commitments to a close and informed by the mid-term review of CNAP-2, and in consultation with federal action plan partners and civil society, GAC decided to produce one 24-month report for FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, instead of 2 separate annual reports. This decision was taken for the purposes of ensuring the active engagement of officials in the process for developing CNAP-3, which was both comprehensive and diligent.

PSOPs continued to build upon best practices from previous years in the coordination of the annual reporting process, which included updates to templates, training and offering one-on-one appointments where needed. Emphasis was placed on encouraging reporting focal points to produce reflective reporting over the life span of CNAP-2 for this final report. The “Completed Activities” section of reports was also removed to reduce duplication with the target ratings section and the “Results and progress” section.

Target 2.3

Tracking and reporting on Global Affairs Canada’s WPS-related funding is consistent and lends itself to year-over-year comparison by 2018/19.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Since establishing the WPS Tracker methodology upon the launch of CNAP-2 in 2016, PSOPs consistently, uniformly, and efficiently tracked and reported on WPS-related spending. The tracker methodology extracts information from the departmental database by applying a formula that combines GE codes, purpose codes created by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and a list of selected fragile and conflict-affected settings. GAC’s Gender Equality coding framework assigns a GE code in relation to a project’s intended contribution to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The select OECD purpose codes effectively capture the sub-themes of the WPS agenda, as outlined in CNAP-2.

Challenges

While helpful in measuring GAC’s WPS funding, the methodology presented some limitations, notably that it did not capture the organizations receiving funding. A target was added in 2019 (see target 2.1.4) to track regional and local organizations. PSOPs recognized that the methodology for target 2.1.4 excluded important investments made to women’s rights organizations. PSOPs also did not quantitatively track the number of organizations funded.

Discussions took place during FY 2020/21 with other teams in GAC on the relatively new GAC-wide tracking of funding to women’s organizations. Challenges with using existing mechanisms were discussed and areas for improvement were identified and will be addressed as various reporting tools are updated in the department. PSOPs has since used a narrative form of reporting against target 2.1.4.

Ways in which GAC can continue to strengthen the tracker methodology, with the aim of maximizing its utility, were strongly considered in the development of GAC’s Implementation Plan for CNAP-3.

Target 2.4 (Closed)

Robust, coherent, and clearly measurable indicators are established and used by FY 2018/19.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal efficiency and capacity.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into PSOPs standard policies and procedures

Target 2.5

By the end of FY 2022/23, all policies, strategies, and processes systematically integrate gender perspectives.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The PSOPs grants and contributions business process continued to systematically integrate gender equality considerations. For example:

Target 2.6

PSOPs will systematically consider the WPS agenda and gender and intersecting identity factors in its policy work, in its contributions to the planning for civilian, police and military deployments, and during its assessment and scoping missions to ensure that PSOPs’ interventions are gender-responsive and integrate and promote the WPS agenda.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

PSOPs aimed to systematically integrate GBA Plus in its peace and conflict analysis and advisory functions, managed through the Conflict Prevention, Stabilization and Peacebuilding division (IRZ). This was conducted via dedicated GBA Plus guidance to support gender-sensitive conflict analysis, integration of gender-specific objectives and analytical questions in its conflict assessments, development of specific gender-focused thematic analysis (where relevant), and application of a GBA Plus lens across briefings and facilitation work, in addition to developed products. Updated guidance on gender-sensitive conflict analysis was produced in April 2023 (which continues to be refined on an evergreen basis), and all IRZ-led conflict assessments applied a GBA Plus lens, involving stakeholder consultations with gender experts and women’s organizations, to the extent possible. Examples of outputs included a gender-focused peace and conflict assessment of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan (2021-23), monitoring work and guidance around in Ukraine (2022), and a recent peace and conflict assessment of Ethiopia (2023), which included facilitation of an in-country WPS-focused civil society workshop.

Cameroon peace negotiations

Canada’s facilitation of exploratory talks over the conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions sought to secure formal and informal commitments from key stakeholders relating to inclusion, recognizing the role of diverse actors in strengthening the sustainability of any agreement reached through eventual talks. The team partnered with gender and inclusion experts to inform analysis and design in support of Canada’s engagement.

WPS Focal Points Network

Canada and Uruguay continued to co-chair the WPS Focal Points Network until September 2021, co-organizing an additional 3 events at the end of 2021. As a benchmark of progress, during Canada’s co-chair term the Network membership increased to 83 Member States and 7 regional organizations—significant increase from 72 members in January 2020. In FY 2022/23, Canada contributed to the network as a member of the troika group along with Uruguay, South Africa, and Switzerland. Furthermore, PSOPs funded 2 civil society participants (a member of the WPSN-C and an Indigenous youth representative from Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada) to join the Canadian delegation at the annual capital-level meeting held in Geneva. More recently, the Canadian delegation to Pretoria in 2023 also includes a civil society participant.

WPS Awards Program

FY 2021/22 marked the inaugural year of the WPS Awards Program. Under the annual theme, women peacebuilders, recipients of the WPS Civil Society Leadership Award, Tejido Mujer (Colombia) and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, were announced at a virtual awards ceremony, hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Throughout FY 2022/23, PSOPs continued to engage with Award recipients in high-level meetings and dedicated events to improve the visibility of their work and offer opportunities to share experiences and recommendations with key stakeholders. For example, an Indigenous youth representative from Pauktuutit was invited to participate in the annual meeting of the WPS Focal Points Network in Geneva. Additionally, Canada, led by GAC, hosted its first (virtual) panel event highlighting the important, but largely overlooked, contributions of Indigenous women to the WPS agenda. The event was organized in celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It was co-sponsored by the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Colombia and brought together over 100 multisector participants from across the Americas.

Simultaneously, the second WPS award cycle was launched in FY 2022/23 by GAC and the IDRC, under the theme Gender, Climate Change and Conflict. The 2022 recipients were selected and notified in December 2022. Recipients were announced at the virtual Awards Ceremony, which took place in FY 2023/24. Extraordinarily, both GAC and IDRC awarded an additional recipient in 2022. IDRC distributed 3 research grants—2 grants to research teams from East Africa, and 1 Canadian research team which comprised of two Indigenous women. This marked the first year the WPS Research Award was awarded to a proposal focussing on insecurity within Canada. GAC’s Civil Society Research Award was awarded to two organizations in the international category—Organización Femenina Popular (Colombia) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding—Nigerian (WANEP-Nigeria). The national category award was shared by three mentors from Preparing Our Home, a community-based resilience program that strengthens disaster response capabilities in Indigenous communities by training and empowering Indigenous youth as emergency preparedness leaders.

Civilian Deployments Platform (CDP)

Several deployments under the PSOPs Civilian Deployments Platform (CDP) focused on activities that aimed to increase women’s participation in peace processes in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

From 2017 to 2021, Canada deployed a Canadian official to Justice Rapid Response (JRR), a non-governmental organization that provides rapidly deployable specialized justice experts to assist with investigations of reported war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and serious human rights violations. The deployee coached and mentored capacity-building sessions on results-based management and resource mobilization. In 2021, JRR was at the forefront of strengthening accountability for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), with 50 deployments (57%) that included the documentation, investigation, and prosecution of SGBV.

From 2017 to 2021, Canada deployed a Department of Justice war-crime expert who served as Deputy Special Prosecutor at the Special Criminal Court (SCC) of the Central African Republic. The deployee helped fulfill the SCC’s mandate to investigate and prosecute serious violations of human rights laws, including SGBV.

Since 2019, Canada deploys a Voluntary National Contribution (VNC) WPS expert to NATO’s Human Security Unit (HSU), under the responsibility of the Secretary General’s Special Representative (SGSR) for WPS, which is dedicated to advancing gender equality and the WPS Agenda. The deployment focuses on capacity building for mainstreaming gender perspectives in NATO’s work through strengthened monitoring and reporting on the implementation of NATO’s WPS Policy and Action Plan. The VNC continues to work with WPS focal points across the NATO enterprise, through the NATO WPS Technical Level Task Force, to strengthen results-based progress reporting on the implementation of NATO’s WPS Policy and Action Plan. This includes working towards the introduction of progress measurement indicators to support this line of effort.

Since 2019, the CDP deploys a Canadian official to the UN Women South Sudan Country Office. This deployment supports activities of UN Women to increase women’s full and meaningful participation in the peace process, strengthen their role in peacebuilding at the local level, and address some of the structural barriers that exist for women in South Sudan. The deployee has a contributing role on broader stabilization planning through supporting UN Women’s role in the WPS Working Group, which aims to consolidate financial, technical and advocacy resources to advance the cause of WPS in South Sudan. The entirety of the deployment is focused on WPS. Notably, this deployment concluded in December 2023.

From January 2022 to August 2023, Canada deployed a gender specialist to the Protection of Civilians (POC) team of the UN Department of Peace Operations. The deployee provided substantive policy advice and guidance on the intersection of gender and POC in UN peacekeeping operations; supported the operationalization of gender mainstreaming in the context of the implementation of POC mandates; and provided cross-functional support to the implementation of related mandates, including child protection and CRSV. In 2022, the deployee revised the 2019 POC in UN Peacekeeping Policy with a nuanced gender lens. This involved mainstreaming gender considerations throughout the Policy, particularly in ensuring that Gender Responsive POC became a guiding principle of POC. In addition, there is now a description of the roles and responsibilities for the UN Gender Unit.

The NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI) provides training, advice, and assistance for the Iraqi security forces and institutions. In April 2022, Canada deployed a GAC employee as a civilian expert to NMI (posted until August 2023). This deployment, as Deputy Head of the Special Program Coordination Office (SPCO), is to support NMI’s advisory function in the professionalization and reform of Iraq’s security and defence sector, with a focus on improving the protection of civilians and human rights standards, especially for women and children. The deployee provided support to the operationalization of the WPS policy framework in NMI and supported subordinate WPS advisors in designing their advisory strategies to be effective and understood by military audiences. Through the NMI Implementing Cross-Cutting Themes Working Group (ICCTWG), the deployee also ensured WPS was selected as a priority topic for the implementation of cross-cutting themes within Iraqi defence professional military training institutions. Finally, the deployee oversaw and managed the program for the NATO SGSR for WPS’s first visit to a deployed NATO military mission.

Priority - Strengthen WPS and gender capacity within PSOPs

Target 2.7

By the end of FY 2022/23, PSOPs significantly strengthens its gender expertise.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

A survey was conducted to collect primary data required to measure the results outlined below:

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

A survey was conducted to collect primary data required to measure the results outlined below:

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

With regular staff turnover, the number and percentage of PSOPs deployees and staff who complete online introductory GBA Plus training year over year can fluctuate. Nevertheless, most PSOPS staff completed at least one course on gender.

In 2021/22, a new course on the foundations of WPS was developed to improve GAC’s understanding of the WPS Agenda, both within PSOPs and beyond. In 2022/23, this course was updated in preparation for a department-wide launch in FY 2023/24. The course is expected to be updated once more to reflect the vision and objectives outlined in CNAP-3.

Challenges

As project officers continue to increase their knowledge and skills in applying gender considerations, so too does the demand and expectation for more comprehensive training. While it is expected that new training will evolve in content and focus, there was not enough capacity in CFSI and PSOPs to develop new courses to meet these new needs during the reporting period.

There is not currently a “roadmap” for training specific to WPS and GBA Plus. This makes it difficult for PSOPs officers and supervisors to benchmark progress and challenges related to strengthening gender expertise, or to identify which trainings are best suited to address specific gaps in skills and knowledge. This is one area for future consideration, particularly as GAC looks to restructuring its framework for learning roadmaps and broader gender equality curriculum. PSOPs officers were engaged in initial consultative sessions in March 2023. Discussions are expected to continue into FY 2023/24.

Target 2.8

By the end of FY 2022/23, all thematic training on working in fragile and conflict-affected states systematically integrates gender perspectives.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The entire suite of FCAS-related training offered by GAC covers and builds skills in one or more of the following:

Challenges

The longer-term impacts of the pandemic slowed course delivery and progress on course updates in FY 2021/22 and into FY 2022/23. The challenge remained to finalize new training and adjust existing training to go beyond gender integration to better incorporate intersectional perspectives and analyses. While it is expected that new training will evolve in content and focus, there was not enough capacity in CFSI and PSOPs to immediately develop new courses to reflect this need. Addressing this needs area will be a key consideration in the development of GAC’s Implementation Plan for CNAP-3.

Priority - Dedicate resources for the Action Plan

Target 2.9 (Closed)

By the end of the FY 2017/18, the management and coordination of the Action Plan’s implementation is supported with sufficient financial resources, and several officers FTEs.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal efficiency and capacity.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Priority - Address SEA (together with other implementing partners)

Target 2.10

2.10.1 By the end of FY 2022/23, Canada demonstrates a substantial contribution to the implementation of the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on SEA.

2.10.2 By the end of FY 2023/23, Canada addresses gaps in accountability for Canadian personnel deployed to UN operations.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/2.10.1 and 2.10.2 /Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/2.10.1 and 2.10.2 /Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Note: Other important SEA activities are carried out as defined by other Action Plan partners and by Global Affairs Canada through Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Indicator

Results and progress

2.10.1 By the end of FY 2022/23, Canada demonstrates a substantial contribution to the implementation of the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on SEA.

In FY 2022/23, Canada played an active role in ensuring that SEA and sexual harassment (SH) were kept as an annual standing item on the agenda of the Executive Boards (EB) of UN specialized agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women), to ensure regular updates on actions to prevent and address SEA/SH, and to advocate for the full implementation of the UN Secretary General’s annual Special Measures reports, including through Canada’s chairing of the group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict and the UN General Assembly’s Special Committee on Peace Operations. Canada’s advocacy focused on leadership; inter-agency collaboration; supporting implementing partners, including improving their capacities; and reporting and support to survivors and victims, including the need for timely and thorough survivors and victim-centered investigations, with updates to member states on the outcomes. Canada joined all cross-regional joint statements on PSEA/SH stressing zero tolerance and the importance of a system-wide approach. Decisions on PSEA/SH were adopted by consensus at the sessions of all 4 EBs in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Between 2020 and 2022, Canada contributed to the UN’s Trust Fund in Support of Victims of SEA, which focused on support in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in Haiti.

In May 2022, Canada was elected co-chair of the OECD-DAC Reference Group (RG) for the DAC Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance. Canada’s role as co-chair at the DAC RG is characterized by peer learning and active engagement rooted in trust. GAC’s PSEA Unit also plays an active role in the UK Safeguarding Technical Working Group meetings, which aims to mobilize the UN Zero tolerance policy and other multilateral commitments to collectively address and respond to SEA, and continues to meet, study, and discuss specific challenges, concerns, lessons learned and best practices. This group spearheaded a joint letter addressed to the UNSG signed by 31 donor members including Canada, at Ministerial level and equivalents in December 2021.

 In 2020-2021, Canada continued to be a strong advocate for and financial supporter of the full implementation of the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on SEA, and to urge Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries, as well as UN agencies and other international actors, to uphold their obligations to take measures to prevent SEA, to investigate allegations and to take action. Canada continued to support pre-deployment training for peacekeepers on preventing and combatting SEA through the Peace Operations Training Institute. This training is provided globally and available on and offline to all peacekeepers.

In FY 2022/23, Canada provided funding to support the UN’s SEA Programme of Action to include SEA into pre-deployment training, online training, update SEA risk-management toolkit and continued implementation of the Victims Assistance Program and tracking system. Efforts to address gaps in Canada’s domestic criminal accountability framework continue to be led by Global Affairs Canada.

2.10.2 By the end of FY 2022/23, Canada addresses gaps in accountability for Canadian personnel deployed to UN operations.

Canada, through its Permanent Mission to the UN, continued to be a steadfast partner of the UN in its efforts to prevent and eradicate SEA and to exert pressure to improve prevention of and response to SEA. Canada continued to support the activities of the Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to SEA in UN operations and proposed language in UNGA 5th and 6th committees and C34 negotiations to strengthen the UN’s response.

 Through Canada’s contribution to the UN SEA Victim’s Trust Fund, Canadian funding supported projects in Haiti to:

Priority - Increase the number and role of women in peace operations

Target 2.11

Canada takes concrete steps to help increase uniformed women’s meaningful participation in UN peace operations.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 5.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 5.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In addition to progress on these indicators, the Elsie Initiative continued to support UN Women’s Elsie Initiative Fund in its role as co-chair of the Steering Committee. Since inception, the Fund supported 20 projects across 21 security institutions in 14 countries in addition to two UN peacekeeping missions, including 14 MOWIP barrier assessments.[1] As of December 2022, a total of four Gender Strong Units (GSUs) were deployed across three UN peacekeeping missions (MONUSCO, MINUSMA and UNIFIL). Ghana deployed a military battalion and Senegal deployed three Formed Police Units in 2021/22 with a total of 18.3% women’s representation, including in senior leadership, command, and technical positions. During the reporting period, the Fund raised an additional USD $11.8 million in contributions. In March 2023, total contributions were USD $32.6 million, which enabled the Elsie Initiative Fund to continue its programming to advance uniformed women’s meaningful participation in UN peace operations.

The EIF Annual Report 2022Footnote 11 can be accessed on the Elsie Initiative Fund website.

Through concerted efforts by the UN, T/PCCs, and the Elsie Initiative, there is notable overall progress towards increasing the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping, although it is difficult to quantify the Elsie Initiative’s specific contribution.

An extension and expansion of Canada’s flagship Elsie Initiative until March 2027 was announced at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial (UNPKM) in December 2021 to support the continuation of the vital work addressing barriers to uniformed women’s meaningful participation in peacekeeping operations, to advance gender equality and the implementation of the WPS agenda.

To ensure this critical work continues, at the 2021 UNPKM, Canada, as co-chair of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial process, pledged to support UN peace operations and peacebuilding with $85 million in new projects and contributions, including funding to the UNSG’s Peacebuilding Fund, and advancing gender equality and the implementation of the WPS agenda through the extension and expansion of the Elsie Initiative.

Challenges

The progress achieved across the four categories of deployment remains fragile and reversible. The Elsie Initiative was extended to help solidify current results and continue to move forward.

Target 2.12

By the end of FY 2021/22, Canada provides a substantial contribution to the global evidence of barriers to women’s meaningful participation in peace operations in uniformed military and police roles, which is made available to Elsie Initiative partner countries, UN member states, UN entities, civil society, academics and think tanks.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 5.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 5.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In addition to progress on these indicators, Canada’s Elsie Initiative continued to support DCAF’s Elsie Helpdesk and Cornell University’s Gender and Security Sector Lab to provide technical advice and analytical support to T/PCCs and national research institutions to conduct MOWIP barrier assessments. DCAF reported that the helpdesk supported 23 security institutions in 18 countries and two UN peace operations by the end of February 2023. Additionally, the helpdesk published an online MOWIP Toolbox in October 2022, including data collection tools, templates, and explainers to support with MOWIP methodology implementation.

The Elsie Initiative also provided support to bilateral partners to address identified barriers to women’s meaningful participation in UN peace operations.

As of the end of March 2023, the Elsie Initiative, through PSOPs programming, was also funding two ongoing projects to support the Ministry of Armed Forces of Senegal with the implementation of its Sectoral Gender Strategy.

3. Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

Context

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a contribution program, with an annual programming budget of $16.3 million to support small-scale, high-impact projects, in countries which qualify for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The objectives of the program are:

  1. to contribute to the achievement of Canada’s thematic priorities for international assistance;
  2. to assist in the advocacy of Canada’s values and interests and the strengthening of Canada’s bilateral relations with foreign countries and their civil societies; and
  3. to provide humanitarian assistance in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters and emergencies. The CFLI is a unique fund. Most projects are designed and implemented by local CSOs that understand and respond to local needs and priorities.

The CFLI is managed by Canada’s embassies and high commissions with projects being selected and monitored by Canadian diplomats. All CFLI projects must align with thematic priorities that are reviewed and updated on an annual basis. The thematic priorities are:

Priority - Strengthen the gender proficiency of CFLI program managers and coordinators at Canadian Embassies and High Commissions

Target 3.1

By the end of FY 2022/23, the CFLI significantly strengthens the gender proficiencyFootnote 13 of managers and coordinators who implement the programs at Canadian Embassies and High Commissions (also known as "missions") in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS).

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

All mission staff working on the CFLI program must take gender training to strengthen their ability to evaluate proposals through a gender lens and to enhance the gender equality outcomes of CFLI programming. Throughout the lifespan of CNAP-2, CFLI showed consistent dedication to strengthening the gender proficiency of managers and coordinators who implement the program at missions accredited to fragile and conflict-affected states. In FY 2022/23, 90% (65/72) of CFLI Program Managers and Coordinators at missions accredited to fragile and conflict-affected states reported that they had completed gender training. This represents a significant increase of over 46% from the baseline year and indicates that the target was successfully achieved.

Challenges

Following FY 2020/21, there was a 9% reduction in the completion rate of gender training, largely due to timing of staff turnover. While there was a slight reduction in the percentage of staff who completed training at the time of reporting, mission compliance with training was considered very high and it remained an expectation (and requirement) that all staff complete the training. With this, high staff turnover, the increase in externally contracted coordinators, and heavy pressures on Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Services (FPDS) sections, made prioritizing the completion of training a key challenge worth highlighting. Another frequent challenge was receiving timely reporting from missions (on training comp subsequent challenge was in tracking completion rates another frequent challenge was receiving complete reporting from missions on time due to tight deadlines, short program cycles, and the administrative burdens that missions face.

However, missions continue to report that gender training has increased their ability to advise CLFI recipient organizations on how to consult women and girls and deliver stronger gender-inclusive projects. One officer shared, "By encompassing a gender lens in all aspects of our program, we have become more aware of our own biases and have thus improved our selection, evaluation and management of projects."

Priority - Enhance GE outcomes of CFLI projects

Target 3.2

By the end of FY 2022/23, the CFLI enhances the GE outcomes of projects in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The CFLI continues to encourage enhanced integration of GE outcomes in projects in fragile and conflict-affected states. In FY 2022/23, 95% of projects in fragile and conflict-affected states included consultations with women and/or girls prior to the submission of applications for funding. This consultation rate increased by nearly 8% compared to FY 2020/21.

In FY 2022/23, 93% of CFLI projects in fragile and conflict-affected states included a limited or detailed gender-based analysis, completed prior to the submission of the application for funding. Of all projects that included a gender-based analysis, 67% (173/258) included a detailed analysis. Over the course of CNAP WPS 2017-2022, the CFLI has been dedicated to increasing the inclusion of GBA Plus among projects and local consultation with women and girls and has successfully met the target. Missions continue to encourage and facilitate the submission of higher quality GBAs, through a number of means including communicating expectations in their calls for proposals and providing applicants with step-by-step GBA Plus guidance. Although missions have faced challenges in implementing other activities such as GBA Plus workshops for prospective CFLI applicants, they have been able to significantly improve the number of project applications with limited and/or detailed GBA Plus. The main challenge the CFLI faces is how to push projects with limited GBA Plus to do a completed detailed GBA Plus. Going forward, the CFLI is designed to increase the number of projects that complete a detailed GBA Plus in order to continue to address gender inequalities and ensure projects are generating meaningful impacts for women, girls, and communities.

4. Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Intelligence Bureau

Context

The work of the Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Intelligence Bureau includes policy and programming components. The programming component is referred to as the Anti-Crime and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programs (ACCBP and CTCBP). ACCBP and CTCBP have recently conducted a GBA Plus of their programs to assess the impact of programming on gender and other intersecting factors. Using the results of the analysis, ACCBP and CTCBP will continue to integrate gender and diversity issues where possible, with a focus on accounting for the differential impacts of security sector operations on women, men, girls and boys. They have also embedded a gender analysis and human rights section in all their project development and implementation tools. ACCBP and CTCBP are also responsible for developing, integrating, and coordinating Canada’s international policies on countering terrorism (CT), countering violent extremism (CVE) and transnational criminal activity, in both bilateral and multilateral arenas. Gender is a key consideration in policy analysis and guidance, critical to understanding and responding to crime and terrorism issues, and a core competency of all policy and programming officers.

The Bureau is also responsible for developing, integrating, and coordinating Canada’s international policies and diplomacy on CT, addressing violent extremism and transnational criminal activity, in both bilateral and multilateral arenas. This includes fostering international cooperation to combat terrorism and crime and representing Canada in various forums such as at the G7 Roma-Lyon Group, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Financial Action Task Force. The division is also responsible for CT/CVE and anti-crime partnerships with foreign governments and international, regional, and non-governmental organizations including the UN, the Organization of American States, the G7, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the OSCE.

Priority - Strengthen WPS and gender analysis capacity within ACCBP/CTCBP

Target 4.1 (Closed)

By the end of the FY 2022/23, 100% of officers in the Counter-Terrorism and Crime Program and Policy Teams had gender and/or WPS training by the end of each FY to increase the programs’ capacity for gender-responsive interventions.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Target 4.2 (Closed)

The Officers in ACCBP and CTCBP have access to resources in order to integrate gender perspectives and WPS into their work.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal efficiency and capacity.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into CT policy and diplomacy

Target 4.3

Canada demonstrates leadership in ensuring that gender and WPS considerations are integrated into CVE/CT and international crime policy, advocacy and diplomatic efforts.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programs integrated gender and WPS considerations into their programming and increased programming that has a specific gender focus. In total, ICC had 31 new projects approved that incorporated gender perspectives to varying degrees, with the majority of the projects receiving a Gender Evaluation score of 2 or 3. Of these, 13 projects came from the Anti-crime team, and 18 came from the Counter-terrorism team. Of note, ICC’s promotion and support of women’s meaningful participation in counter-terrorism programming through the ARK Group resulted in the training of 370 (173F/ and 213M) elite police officers to provide first aid at the site of critical incidents; for the first time, women officers were trained and equipped to be part of these special operations in Jordan.

In addition, the first platoon of 22 women were trained and provided with medical/first-aid equipment in the Jordanian Special Operations Forces (JORSOF) in the last quarter of FY 2022/23.

To strengthen the role of women in leadership and operational capacities in law enforcement and security responses, Canada, through ACCBP, empowered female law officers across Latin America and the Caribbean through policy development and capacity-building training. In 2022, the ACCBP, in collaboration with the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (OAS-CICAD), supported 7 OAS member states (in Latin America and the Caribbean) in drafting action plans to strengthen gender equality within their respective counterdrug agencies.

These plans included a range of objectives and activities, such as creating or strengthening existing gender offices, developing gender assessments, and providing gender equality training to all their personnel, among others.

As of March 2022, ACCBP and CTCBP officers ensured that GBA Plus and gender considerations were systematically integrated into all projects through their design, delivery, and implementation. This included working with partners to integrate gender indicators in projects’ results framework, and to ensure quantitative data was disaggregated by gender. The result of this has been an improved effort in the project lifecycle to ensure gender-related issues are being addressed in the most effective way.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into CT and anti-crime programming

Target 4.4

The Officers and ACCBP and CTCBP integrate gender and WPS considerations into CT programming a systematic manner, and increase programming that has a specific focus on gender and WPS.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Throughout the 24-month reporting cycle, officers of ACCBP and CTCBP continued to integrate gender and WPS considerations into CT programming in a systematic manner, and increased programming that had a specific focus on gender and WPS. ACCBP and CTCBP officers ensured that GBA Plus and gender considerations were systematically integrated into all projects through their design, delivery, and implementation. This included working with partners to integrate gender indicators in projects’ results framework, and to ensure quantitative data was disaggregated by gender. There is an embedded gender and human rights section in all project development and implementation tools, and this is assessed using the Gender Evaluation process. This is an effective quantitative means of measuring progress that captures gender considerations to record the number of projects with certain Gender Equality codes, and compare these metrics to the previous fiscal year. For example, in FY 2021/22, CTCBP had one GE03 project, whereas in FY 2022/23, CTCBP produced 3 GE03 projects. FY 2022/23 also saw more new projects overall, as well as greater integration of gender considerations.

Challenges

There were challenges regarding the reception of WPS ideas amongst specific programming thematic supported by the ACCBP and CTCBP. For example, some thematic—such as money-laundering—are not automatically considered "gender issues" to require a gendered approach. In addition, perceptions endure that a gendered approach to programming can be distilled into the inclusion of women in project activities. Efforts to promote the operational value of intersectional and gendered approaches within capacity building remain highly relevant, as does the continued need for data and practical tools.

Gender is not often mentioned in counter-terrorism discussions leaving Canada as one of the only countries advocating for its consideration. The perception endures that a gendered approach can be distilled into the inclusion of women. Efforts to promote the operational value of intersectional and gendered approaches remain highly relevant, as is the continued need for data and practical tools. Additionally, there is a lack of national/local expertise on gender and intersectionality in CT, C/PVE projects.

The impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic affected many ACCBP and CTCBP projects in FY 2021/22. Specifically, the pandemic caused delays in project implementation, with implications for the partners’ ability to meet targets for project outcomes on original timelines.

Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programs

The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program’s performance indicators did not perfectly align with targets and indicators of Canada’s National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security.

The general low capacity of beneficiaries in the security sector to integrate GE only allows implementing partners to achieve limited results barely above awareness-raising level for the majority of our projects.

Judges and investigators in beneficiary states often lacked the experience to recognize clues or evidence of GBV, which increases impunity in the cases of GBV. Gender awareness varies in each beneficiary country, which can also cause challenges in regional programming. In the case of LAC for example, the term "femicide" is not clearly and consistently defined across countries, and the concept of "femicide" hasn’t largely been incorporated into the Caribbean region as a criminal offence.

With regards to the linkages between the prevention of violent extremism and SGBV analysis on these topics has been limited despite the inclusion of awareness raising activities in some projects. Analysis in this area could potentially inform the gender-based aspects of violent extremism, as well as SGBV as a key driver of radicalization.

Counter-Terrorism and Capacity Building Program

Project Managers lack consistent access to gender expertise to assist them in integrating WPS/ gender considerations into the design, implementation, and monitoring of programming. With regards to the linkages between the prevention of violent extremism and SGBV—analysis on these topics has been limited despite the inclusion of awareness raising activities in some projects. Analysis in this area could potentially inform the gender-based aspects of violent extremism, as well as SGBV as a key driver of radicalization.

5. Policy and programming on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament

Context

Canada’s Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament activities included both policy and programming elements. Target 5.1 relates to the Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP), which is the primary programming vehicle for Canada to globally address threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related materials. The WTRP works with partner countries, regional and international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to implement programming to address WMD threats (nuclear and radiological; biological; chemical) as well as to support the universalization of treaties and conventions related to the proliferation of conventional weapons. Through the Program, Canada continues to play a leadership role globally in the area of weapons threat reduction. Target 5.2 relates to Canada’s non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD) policy activities within the context of Canada’s participation within the United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee, which is responsible for NACD issues.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into WTR programming

Target 5.1

The WTRP integrates gender and WPS considerations into its programming in a systematic manner, with at least 20% of projects having GE01 or greater coding by the end of FY 2021/22.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activities

Indicator

Results and progress

The WTRP exceeded its initial commitment of 20% towards this target, with 33% of all active projects across the WTRP coded as GE01 or above in FY 2021/22 and 23% in FY 2022/23.

Across the life span of CNAP-2 (2017-2023) the WTRP consistently worked with implementing partners to ensure the application of a gender lens to all relevant projects, through the use of gender assessments, gender experts, and consultations with relevant external stakeholders. The WTRP continues to integrate GBA Plus into all stages of the project life cycle. This includes the identification of potential gender and equality considerations by implementing partners at the project proposal stage; the identification of gender equality considerations through consultation with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including gender equality advisors; the creation and implementation of a "Gender Equality and Women, Peace and Security Form" as part of the standard project documents package; and active monitoring of gender outcomes throughout the project implementation.

The WTRP utilizes a results-based management framework that integrates Feminist International Assistance Policy commitments. This includes gender language and gender disaggregation (where applicable) in program and project indicators to facilitate more robust gender and equality results-tracking at all stages of a project.

To date, 7 out of 8 WTRP officers have taken the GBA plus training; one new FTE is planning to complete this training in FY 2023/24.

Challenges

The WTRP’s core programming mandate focuses on preventing acquisition of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and materials by terrorists or states of proliferation concern. This type of programming tends to focus on the weapons and materials themselves, and consequently often rely heavily on the provision of equipment, infrastructure and other such capacity-building resources. This type of programming offers limited opportunities to incorporate meaningful gender equality outcomes and indeed precludes the development of GE03 level projects, as the WTRP’s Ultimate Outcome does not explicitly envision gender-specific changes in state, conditions or wellbeing for beneficiary populations.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into diplomacy on disarmament

Target 5.2

GBA Plus is carried out on all resolutions of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee (responsible for disarmament, global challenges and threats), proposed or considered by Canada, and gender perspectives integrated.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Canada’s diplomacy and multilateral engagement focuses on increasing gender participation and perspectives in disarmament processes. Canada prioritizes procedural issues, substantive matters, and capacity building.

On procedural issues, Canada works with allies, such as the Disarmament Impact Group, to systematically advance gender equality. Canada successfully advocates for equitable representation in groups and events and reaffirms the importance of gender language in resolutions at UNGA First Committee via co-sponsorship. On substantive matters, Canada advances gender-responsive approaches to disarmament. At the Chemical Weapons Convention Fifth Review Conference (2023), Canada authored a paper on gender mainstreaming in the Convention (62 co-sponsors). Canada researched and called attention to the gendered effects of nuclear, chemical, and conventional weapons.

Canada highlights capacity building in disarmament. In 2023, Global Affairs Canada launched the first annual Sumita Dixit Internship in International Security to hire women of colour and women with disabilities. Canada has also provided $300,000 to UNIDIR’s Gender and Disarmament programme, and partners with them to host conversations, sit on panels, and facilitate learning for UN Member States on specific issues within gender and disarmament. Canada has worked to advocate for gender and disarmament initiatives at non-UN international conferences, such as sitting on a panel about diversifying the nuclear field at the Carnegie Nuclear Policy Conference, and writing working papers on the intersection at international groupings, for example, the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV).

Challenges

States have ramped up their opposition to gender initiatives. This includes objecting to factual references, blocking procedural initiatives, and threatening to pull consensus over the inclusion of gender language. As a result, some likemindeds have been hesitant to pursue more progressive gender language. In First Committee resolutions for example, some fear that opening texts to edits will invite backsliding and therefore accept zero edits year after year.

6. Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch

Context

The Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch is Global Affairs Canada’s key operational platform supporting the active engagement of Canadians in international development, notably by supporting Canadian civil society entities working in collaboration with developing country partners to reduce poverty through thematic programming as well as youth internships and the deployment of volunteers. Canadian entities in this context include NGOs; the private sector; colleges, universities, and research entities; provincial and regional councils; and foundations. Partnerships for Development Innovation leverages the expertise, knowledge, networks and resources of Canadian entities and their local partners. Its programming is able to operate in all Official Development Assistance-eligible countries, including in fragile and conflict-affected states. For example, Partnerships for Development Innovation has supported projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Afghanistan, Haiti and South Sudan. For these and other projects, Partnerships for Development Innovation pays particular attention to the integration of GE. For example, it supported a project in South Sudan to empower conflict-affected rural youth to become more economically productive and engaged in their communities. This project promoted education for youth, especially girls.

Priority - Strengthen the integration of GE into its programming, including the promotion and realization of women’s and girls’ rights, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected states

Target 6.1

Canada to increase the percentage of Partnerships programming that targets GE (GE03) or fully integrates GE (GE02).

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Throughout this implementation period, the Partnerships for Development Innovation branch prioritized project proposals that target and/or fully integrate GE. Year after year, the branch continued to support Canadian partners to strengthen the integration of GE into their programming. From working with small and medium organizations to investments made through the Equality Fund, targeted GE programming saw a significant increase throughout the implementation period while GE01 and GE0 coded projects have been kept to 27.5% of KFM projects (19.5% of disbursements) and 8.1% of KFM projects (2.2% of disbursements) respectively since 2017. Canadian partners understood and prioritized advancing GE and the branch made efforts to leverage their expertise to build additional capacities when needed to successfully implement projects and align with its women, peace and security priorities. As a result, investments made towards GE03 programming have comprised of 20.1% of KFM projects (29.0% of disbursements) while GE02 encompassed 44.3% of KFM projects (49.3% of disbursements) since 2017.

In FY 2022/23, investments made towards GE03 programming such as The Equality Fund were able to disburse $5.9 million to women’s rights organizations and feminist funds that contributed to the women Peace and Security goals. This represents close to 30% of Equality Fund’s grant making budget for the year. The Equality Fund supported partners working in conflict-affected countries, post-conflict, increasing women’s participation in conflict resolution and peace building agendas, supporting survivors of violence, addressing impunity of sexual violence in conflict, supporting needs, leadership agendas of displaced and refugee populations, including SRHR, psychosocial support and other needs and priorities.

The result in Colombia saw support to Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres, a feminist movement working towards the negotiated settlement of the armed conflict in Colombia and addressing the impacts of war on women’s lives and bodies. Ruta’s efforts focus on ’The Women’s Truth’ chapter which documents the voices of women victims and survivors of the Colombian armed conflict. This advocacy has led to the National Coordinator of Ruta Pacifica joining the "Women’s Truth Committee" that will follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth Commission. Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres also contributed to ending impunity for sexual violence by providing key recommendations for sanctions for serious violations of women’s human rights.

Challenges

The rise of anti-gender campaigns and movements are taking hold of the WPS space and have to be countered through fostering and funding inclusive feminist movements. Lack of funding continues to impact women, girls, and trans people who are often amongst the worst affected in these compounded crisis contexts.

Priority - Explore programming opportunities with Canadian entities to support the WPS agenda

Target 6.2

Canada to increase Partnerships programming to support the WPS agenda.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Throughout this implementation period, the Partnerships for Development Innovation branch steadily increased its partnership programming disbursements in fragile and conflict-affected states 17% from baseline (FY 2018/19, 7.1%) to endline (FY 2022/23, 24%) with a cumulative total of 288.1M. During this reporting period, 24% ($82 million) of Partnerships programming (compared to 25% in FY 2021/22, $69 million) was implemented in fragile and conflict-affects states. The increase from 17% in FY 2020/21 to 25% in FY 2021/22 was due to the conflict in Ethiopia, to which KFM was a key funding contributor (9th).

The Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch has supported KAIROS Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Colombia, and the West Bank (2018 to 2023, $4,456,516) to increase the participation of women in peace processes, the defence of human rights, and post-conflict development processes. Since 2021, the project has provided: psychosocial counselling and medical accompaniment to 1,651 women who experienced gender-based violence; 728 people (466 women and 262 men) participated in mixed workshops on the psychosocial impacts of war and effective accompaniment; 49 clinics were set up to offer psychosocial support and referrals to medical services to women victims and survivors.

Further, results from a survey conducted in FY 2021/22 across the four countries measuring the extent to which women survivors of gender-based violence have been able to heal from their trauma and work as agents of change demonstrated that of the 647 women participants following the training and empowerment exercises, gains could be shown in resilience and strength, ways of thinking, and connecting to other people. In FY 2022/23, 1,585 women and 1032 men completed gender awareness training through 79 training sessions on the psychosocial impacts of war and effective accompaniment and the project measured an increase in the participation of women survivors of human rights abuses and violence in peacebuilding processes from 87% in year four of the project to 93% in year 5.

The G7 Charlevoix education projects faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to school closures and impeding global education efforts. However, despite these obstacles, noteworthy progress has been made during this reporting period in supporting girls’ education and promoting gender equality in various regions. In some target countries, changes in behaviours and attitudes around women and girls’ participation in education have changed and barriers to accessing education have slowly shifted. These initiatives demonstrate the dedication of organizations and communities alongside women and girls as change agents in advancing girls’ education, promoting gender equality, and overcoming challenges such as the pandemic and conflict. By providing training, creating safe spaces, and raising awareness, progress is being made in empowering girls and ensuring inclusive educational environments.

Cuso International’s "Promoting Greater Access to University for GIRLS (U-GIRLS 2)" project in Ethiopia achieved remarkable results. In FY 2022/23, community awareness of the importance of girls’ education and barriers they face increased from 72% to 98%, surpassing the target of 80%. Respondents recognized education’s role in empowering girls as positive role models for younger girls and identified barriers to accessing girls’ education such as financial constraints, early marriage, domestic workload, and seeking employment abroad. The percentage of respondents receiving support from community-based associations rose from 26.9% to 91%, exceeding the target of 35%. Support included training sessions, discussions on addressing barriers, and educational material distribution to vulnerable students (reaching 63% of respondents).

Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie and Centre d’étude et de programme internationale "Education des filles pour un avenir des Grands Lacs (ÉDUFAM)" project conducted large-scale awareness campaigns, reaching over 250,000 individuals across Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in FY 2022/23. The project also mobilized 1,209 women and 869 men as agents of change within mother and father clubs. As a result, 99% of parents and community leaders now support girls’ education (compared to a target of 80%), and 98% believe that girls have the same rights as boys, compared to only 57% at the start of the project.

Finally, Right To Play’s "My Education, My Future: Supporting Burundian Refugee Girls’ Education" project achieved significant outcomes in Tanzania and Burundi. Community perceptions and attitudes towards girls’ access to education doubled, reaching 51.27% overall of respondents (females 49.94% and males 53.82%) during FY 2022/23. Moreover, 16,787 girls, adolescent girls, and women benefited from reduced barriers to education in Tanzania, while in Burundi, 32,568 individuals directly benefited from the project’s efforts. Lastly, 5,635 Girls’ club members’ life skills were developed in Burundi thanks to coaches’ commitment to meeting girls ’aspirations and socio-emotional wellbeing through training on leadership, communication, problem-solving, self-awareness, and decision-making. The girls are now using these skills that have been demonstrated through sketches and sports activities to and also sensitized parents and other community members on the importance and added value of ensuring girls attend schools.

Challenges

The G7 Charlevoix education projects faced the external challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of schools for several months, thereby severely impeded global education efforts. GAC mobilized quickly to provide costed amendments to several projects to enable their rapid response to prevent learning loss through remote learning and to prepare for the return to school. Despite these efforts, students that were the most vulnerable, living in remote or conflict-affected areas faced significant barriers to continue with their schooling because they lacked access to a radio, television, or because they had to look after their siblings, had to help with the house chores or work outside of the house. Compounding this challenge, several of the education projects in the G7 Charlevoix portfolio have faced increased fragility and conflict (examples include Sudan, Myanmar and Mali, among others), requiring some projects to pause or reorient activities in response to the insecurity.

Canadian NGOs stepped up to the plate in FY 2020/21 and 2021/22 by reorganizing their activities and coming up with mitigation measures:

  1. by shifting the sequence of their activities;
  2. Uploading course content and organizing Q&A sessions on WhatsApp;
  3. Funding the printing and delivery of learning materials for distance education to families who do not currently have access to schooling;
  4. Providing hardware for students, teachers and parents to Stay connected;
  5. purchasing radio sets;
  6. Launching radio campaigns to disseminate official information on COVID-19, to address domestic violence and GBV prevention and management;
  7. Supporting the implementation of COVID-19 protection/prevention measures in beneficiary schools;
  8. Supporting educational stakeholders (teachers, administrators, school management committees, etc.) in preparation for the reopening of schools.

Priority - Increase staff capacity on GE and promote staff engagement WPS policy and programming activities across the department

Target 6.3

Canada to strengthen its GE capacity and WPS engagement.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch focused on strengthening its GE expertise and capacity to meet the demand for targeted and integrated GE programming aligned with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. While results under Target 6.4 on the prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse demonstrated one example of GE capacities within the branch, another was the addition of a full-time GE Specialist in FY 2019/20 to strengthen internal support to project team leads to engage in GE issues. Activities during this reporting period included 10 assessor trainings, webinars for potential partners, and internal learning sessions as well as providing training to its HBRA specialist in conducting gender reviews of project implementation plans. The training aimed to provide clarity on developing a GE lens and identifying strong GE concept notes and proposals, while the learning sessions updated understanding of GE policies and introduced new tools and resources. For example, in May 2021, GE specialists conducted an assessor training for the "Education for Refugees and Displaced Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa" initiative, targeting equitable and inclusive learning outcomes for refugees, internally displaced and host community children and youth, particularly girls and adolescent girls, in select sub-Saharan African countries eligible for official development assistance (ODA). Project Team Leads were better equipped to support the development of Project Implementation Plans and Gender Equality Strategies, including in projects related to WPS.

Further, the GE specialist acts as the focal point on the WPS agenda given the central role gender equality plays within the implementation plan. During this reporting period, the GE specialist’s attendance at the WPS Advisory Group Meeting in February 2023 generated real-time engagement with civil society participants and other departments within the Government of Canada to garner insights on implementation issues that could be addressed through the branch’s development programming and potential areas of collaboration.

Challenges

The Evaluation of KFM (FY 2015/16 to FY 2019/20), finalized in FY 2021/22, highlighted the importance of developing GE capacity to support branch programming, particularly in the context of WPS. One of the evaluation’s recommendations was for the Branch to strengthen its internal capacity for intersectional GE assessment and to create and implement strategic monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans.

In response to this recommendation, the Branch prepared a Management Response and Action Plan for FY 2021/22, which included conducting an assessment of GE training and capacity needs within the Branch. To track these needs, an online survey was conducted across KFM, with a 44.4% response rate (48 respondents), mostly managers, project team leads, and analysts. The survey findings identified several factors that significantly impact the Branch’s capacity to implement GE in its programming, including HR challenges, staff rotations, and limitations of GBA Plus training. Respondents expressed overall confidence in GE analysis but highlighted the need for further guidance on feminist monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), as well as investments in staff and partner capacity building.

One notable challenge throughout this implementation period was the difficulty in tracking the completion of GBA Plus training by staff members due to the rotational nature of positions within the branch, accessibility of accurate data available by CFSI, and workload capacities of GE specialists. Additionally, staff members who felt confident in implementing GE in their projects had the option not to retake GBA Plus training, while new Branch staff could have already received training in previous roles or at other departments. The Branch focal point collaborated within the Department to develop a roadmap for opportunities to incorporate tailored capacity training on GE, GBA Plus, and WPS into the next implementation plan. Further, internal discussion within the Branch on developing indicators that can be measured systematically for the next implementation period incorporating key lessons learned is in progress.

Priority - Encourage and support partners to strengthen policies and procedures to prevent and respond to SEA in the delivery of international assistance

Target 6.4

Canada’s partners have stronger policies and procedures to prevent and respond to SEA.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In the last two years, GAC realized steady progress towards the roll out of its requirement for partners to have a Code of Conduct to prevent, investigate and respond to SEA. By working to clarify requirements with development and humanitarian partner organizations, the PSEA Unit received double the number of cases in 2022 in comparison to previous years, largely due to our internal and external outreach, open communication of our expectations, in such form as the annual Sector Dialogue on PSEA, relationships based on trust and confidentiality with our partners, and reinforced capacity due to Digna, the Canadian Centre of Expertise on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

GAC partnered with Cooperation Canada on the Digna project as a capacity-building initiative for Canadian partners to meet GAC requirements as outlined in our General Terms and Conditions, including Canada’s partners having publicly available Codes of Conduct in place, victims and survivor-centered approaches, and policies/procedures to prevent, investigate and respond to SEA. The Digna project is built around three immediate outcomes:

In all three areas, there was measurable progress in FY 2022/23 towards the ultimate and intermediate outcomes. By all accounts, the project is exceeding expectations and is in good standing to reduce the risk of sexual misconduct within Canadian international development/humanitarian organizations and especially towards their beneficiaries, particularly women and girls.

Challenges

GAC, as well as the Canadian international cooperation sector, have observed a slight decline in momentum (investment of financial and human resources) to prevent and respond to SEA. The challenge in mobilizing leadership to make sure PSEA remains a top priority for the sector at large. Canadian development and humanitarian organizations have flagged the following key challenges to the full integration of PSEA:

Multilateral engagement

7. Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York

Context

The UN plays a significant role in the development of norms and guidelines pertaining to WPS. A wide array of New York-based UN bodies address WPS, including first and foremost the United Nations Security Council UNSC, but also the General Assembly (UNGA), the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), as well as departments such as the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Department of Peace Operations, and funds and agencies such as UN Women and UNFPA. The WPS agenda has become increasingly institutionalized at the UN, with the adoption of nine United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) pertaining directly to WPS, the completion of a Global Study on 1325, the establishment of an Informal Experts Group in the Security Council, the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, and the appointment of gender and women protection advisors to key UN offices and field missions. That being said, a number of challenges remain for the full implementation of WPS commitments at the UN: WPS is not mainstreamed throughout the work of the organization; several key members of the UN, including permanent members of the Security Council, do not fully support the WPS agenda; there are recurring incidents of SEA by UN peacekeepers and staff; insufficient resources are dedicated to gender issues in the UN’s peace and security functions; too few women are appointed to senior roles at the UN or serve as peacekeepers; and implementation of WPS commitments remains weak.

Canada is seen as a leader on WPS at the UN, as a key architect of UNSCR 1325, the Chair of the 58-member Group of Friends of WPS, a major donor to WPS efforts, and a principled voice on this issue. Canada can help advance the WPS agenda at the UN through advocacy and information sharing with member states and the UN, leadership in the Security Council and UNGA negotiations, collaboration with civil society groups, and public messaging, including through social media.

Priority - Support the increased and meaningful participation of women in peace processes

Target 7.1

Canada demonstrates a strong commitment at the UN to ensuring increased and meaningful participation of women in peace resolution processes, including in conflict prevention, mediation and post-conflict reconciliation, and more specifically delegations to peace resolution processes.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Delivered 7 statements at the UNSC between April 2021 and March 2022 and 1 statement to the General Assembly that notably called for the meaningful participation and inclusion of women. These calls for the meaningful participation and inclusion of women were echoed in various interventions made throughout the reporting period, including through the negotiation work in the six main committees. For example, Canada delivered or joined statements during Third Committee raising concerns about the gender dimension of various human rights issues or situations. Canada also joined a statement delivered on behalf of a group of likeminded countries during Third Committee supporting language on access to sexual and reproductive health care and services.

During the UN General Assembly’s First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), called for women to be meaningfully engaged as full partners in policymaking, programming, and field work in non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.

During the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) negotiations on UN Peacekeeping Missions and Special Political Missions, advocated for the importance of the WPS agenda on achieving sustainable peace and political solutions, advocated for gender balance in missions, as well as supported additional funding for capacity to improve engagement and support for women in Afghanistan.

During the Commission on the Status of Women in 2022, Minister Ien spoke in support of all Ukrainian women and girls and reiterated Canada’s steadfast support. Further, as we began to hear of increasing reports of rape and sexual violence against Ukrainian women and children, Canada took the opportunity to host a side event, in partnership with Latvia, Ukraine and the Netherlands, on the impact of the unjustified invasion of Ukraine on women and girls, moderated by Canada’s WPS ambassador. Canada also joined a joint statement on support for women and girls affected by the Russian aggressions against Ukraine.

Implemented the mission’s Gender Pledge, which among other things calls for balanced gender representation in Canadian delegations, strong language on GE and women’s empowerment in resolutions, statements, and side events, and regular consultations with women’s groups and groups promoting GE and the human rights of women and girls on the full range of policy areas, not simply those directly on the topics of gender equality and women’s rights. Regularly raised the issue of women’s participation in peace dialogue in Afghanistan through our leadership of the group of Friends of Afghanistan, chaired by Canada, as well as regular partnership with the group of Friends of Women of Afghanistan. As chair of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, raised the issue of women’s meaningful participation over the course of the Group’s activities.

Regularly convened the group of Friends of WPS, facilitating discussions with experts on a variety of issues related to the agenda, including women’s meaningful participation in the peace processes. Met many times with women’s organizations such as the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, the NGO Working Group on WPS, and women civil society briefers to the UNSC.

Priority - Support the integration of gender into UN peacekeeping

Target 7.2

Canada demonstrates strong commitment to supporting gender-responsive UN peacekeeping missions, including aiming to double the number of women peacekeepers, in line with UNSCR 2242.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 5.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 5.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Pushed for language on the meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping during UN General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Forth Committee), Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (Fifth Committee), and in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34).

As co-chair with Sweden and Kenya, Canada ensured that the group of Friends of Corrections in Peace Operations undertook ongoing advocacy and greater visibility for the work of corrections personnel and women corrections officers. In 2022, Canada co-funded with Sweden and Kenya the first Justice and Corrections Trailblazer award highlighting the achievement of a woman corrections officer in a UN mission. Previously, there had been a yearly award presented to a uniformed woman officer but only eligible for military and police.

Canada funded with Sweden and Kenya the creation of an 8-minute documentary on the importance of corrections in peace operations. Canada delivered on its commitment to provide police officers considering a UN deployment a higher opportunity for success in the UN testing selection and deployment to UN missions. This enabled the UN to certify a pool of Canadian police officers to deliver the Pre-SAAT (United Nations Selection Assistance and Assessment) training in French in Canada. As a result, Canada assisted with Pre-SAAT training for 60 women in Zambia and Niger.

In 2022, PRMNY co-facilitated together with UAE the Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) resolution. As the penholder and facilitator of this resolution, which is reviewed every three years, Canada strengthened language related to WPS compared to the last review in 2019.

Raised with the UN Secretariat the experience of Canadian women peacekeepers who experienced challenges during their tour duty. Canada co-chaired the Strategic Police Advisory Group to ensure that women police officers’ participation in a leadership position within the network and the Military Police Advisory Community in New York had greater visibility and voice.

Canada continues to be seen as a leader on the WPS agenda at the UN. This is in part due to its role in developing UN Security Council resolution 1325, but it is sustained through the chairing of the group of Friends of WPS and the broader promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment across the board in all forums within the UN system. Canada’s leadership on the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, building upon Canada’s feminist foreign policy and Feminist International Assistance Policy has further bolstered Canada’s credentials as a leader in this area.

Canada has consistently and visibly called for the meaningful participation of women in all areas of peace and security, notably conflict prevention and peace processes. The Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN took every opportunity to deliver statements at the UNSC and UNGA both in formal and high-level sessions as well as informal and working-level discussions that recognized women as agents of positive change in the context of peace processes, and called for accountability for sexual violence, and consistently raised the issue of women’s political participation in Peacebuilding Commission meetings.

Canada also raised the meaningful participation of women regularly as part of its chairmanship of the group of Friends of WPS, which now counts 67 Member States amongst its ranks. Over the reporting period, the Mission regularly convened the group of Friends, facilitating discussions with experts on a variety of issues related to the agenda, including women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the peace processes. The Mission also implemented its Gender Pledge which calls for gender balance delegations and the promotion of women’s participation in all aspects of peace and security. On many occasions, members of the Mission also met several times to exchange information on challenges and opportunities with women’s organizations such as the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, the NGO Working Group on WPs, and women civil society briefers to the UN security Council. Lastly, the Mission maintained close contact with UN Women, the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), to discuss how best to include women in peace processes.

Challenges

Despite these efforts, the participation of women in peace and security decision-making remains very low. At the UN, as the participation of women civil society representatives in UN discussions has increased in recent years, so too have threats, attacks and reprisals against them. More work remains to be done to promote safe and enabling environments for women human rights defenders and peacebuilders in UN discussions.

Priority - Support the prevention of SEA in UN peace-keeping operations

Target 7.3

Canada demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening the UN peacekeeping prevention efforts, accountability measures, transparency, and tangible victim support for SEA.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During the Fifth Committee negotiations from October to December 2022, Canada successfully worked with partners to secure the conversion of four posts in the Office of the Special Coordinator for improving the UN’s response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OSCSEA) from voluntary to assessed funding. These included the Under-Secretary General and his three staff.

Canada also successfully advanced policy language on SEA in the UNGA Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (Fifth Committee) in June 2023. Progress was made with a focus on accountability, training, a system-wide and victim-centred approach and measures for implementing partners. In April 2022, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN co-hosted an event on Investigating Sexual Abuse of Peacekeepers with the International Peace Institute (IPI) to discuss recent research on the issue, challenges as well as opportunities to address sexual abuse against peacekeeping personnel. Canada deployed an officer to the Office of the Special Coordinator on improving the UN response to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Canada continues to lead on the WPS agenda at the UN. This is in part due to its role in developing UNSC resolution 1325, but it is sustained through the chairing of the group of Friends of WPS and the broader promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment across the board in all forums within the UN system. Canada’s Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, building upon Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy and Feminist International Assistance Policy, has further bolstered Canada’s credentials as a leader in this area.

Canada has consistently and visibly called for the meaningful participation of women in all areas of peace and security, notably conflict prevention and peace processes. The Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN took every opportunity to deliver statements at the UNSC and UNGA both in formal and high-level sessions as well as informal and working-level discussions that recognized women as agents of positive change in the context of peace processes, and called for accountability for sexual violence, and consistently raised the issue of women’s political participation in Peacebuilding Commission meetings.

Canada also raised the meaningful participation of women regularly as Chair of the Group of Friends of WPS, which now counts 67 Member States. Over the reporting period, the Mission convened the Group of Friends on six occasions, facilitating discussions with experts on a variety of issues related to the agenda, including women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the peace processes. The Mission also implemented its Gender Pledge which calls for gender balance delegations and the promotion of women’s participation in all aspects of peace and security.

On many occasions, members of the Mission also met several times to exchange information on challenges and opportunities with women’s organizations such as the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, the NGO Working Group on WPS, and women civil society briefers to the UN Security Council. Lastly, the Mission maintained close contact with UN Women, the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), to discuss how best to include women in peace processes.

Priority - Promote the increased representation of women in senior positions at the UN

Target 7.4

Canada demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting greater representation of women in senior UN positions, especially those dealing with peace and security issues.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In January 2022, Canadian Elizabeth Spehar was appointed Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG) for Peacebuilding Support by the Secretary-General, the most senior peacebuilding official in the UN. In July 2022 Canadian Denise Brown was appointed ASG and Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Resident Coordinator (RC) in Ukraine, the role lead in coordinating the UN’s response in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022. From March 2020 to June 2022, Canadian Deborah Lyons was the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Afghanistan leading UN efforts during the Taliban take over. From December 2020 to December 2023, Lynn Hastings served as Deputy Special Coordinator (DSC) of the Middle East Peace Process and RC to the occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

Shauna Olney was elected to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) in 2020 and has been instrumental in the development and adoption of a standardized parental leave allowance for the UN common System. Rosemarie McLean has been Chief Executive of Pension Administration at the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund since 2020. Aside from the election of Shauna, and the selection of Deborah Lyons from an existing roster, the other senior leaders above have long experience in the UN system. Canada continues to support all qualified Canadian candidates for UN roles, but internal candidates have proven most successful.

Challenges

Not all senior appointments are advertised and PRMNY is not wholly responsible for the candidates that come forward for various positions and that require Canada’s support. Support to candidates is rarely a decisive factor in appointments. The UN is under increasing pressure to reach a more Equitable Geographic Distribution of senior posts and Canada is over-represented according to the formula of desirable ranges.

8. Canada at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Context

Canada is actively engaged in the advancement of the WPS agenda at NATO. The Joint Delegation of Canada works to mainstream GE and integrate gender and WPS considerations across committee work and in decisions taken at NATO. Canada is the largest contributor to the NATO 1325 Trust Fund, contributing $400,000 over FY 2017/18 to fund activities and programs run by the Office of the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for WPS. Canada actively participated in shaping and developing the NATO WPS Policy and Action Plan. The Delegation of Canada promoted the organization of a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in March 2017 to review progress in the implementation of the NATO WPS Action Plan, which placed this issue on the Council’s agenda on a periodic basis going forward. The North Atlantic Council is the principal political decision-making body of NATO.

Canada pushed for language to strengthen the references to WPS in the Communiqué for the NATO Warsaw Summit in 2016, which was ultimately adopted into the text. In March 2016, Canada co-hosted with Iceland an event to mark International Women’s Day, including a conference on GE with Permanent Representatives, Military Representatives, and senior NATO Representatives, and social media activities throughout the day. Canada is among the core group of the Friends of UNSCR 1325 at NATO and regularly convenes meetings of this group to push forward the WPS agenda at NATO. The Joint Delegation of Canada to NATO also published social media campaigns for the 16 days to Combat Violence Against Women and for International Women’s Day, which have received pick-up internationally by prominent social media accounts. Canada provides financial assistance to the Office of the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for WPS, and also staffs the person who is now International Military Staff Office of the Gender Advisor at NATO headquarters; Canada works very closely with both of them on WPS issues at NATO.

Canada’s efforts are warranted because though progress has been made in integrating gender perspectives in NATO training, operations, and guidelines, women remain under-represented in the Alliance, particularly in decision-making positions. NATO Allies averaged 10.3% of women in their military ranks in 2014 with only 5.7% of women in NATO’s operations and missions. Furthermore, some Allies maintain restrictions for women in certain combat roles, a hurdle removed in Canada.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into NATO’s policies, activities and efforts on collective defence

Target 8.1

Canada remains a recognized leader within the Alliance on advancing and promoting WPS, helping to ensure that NATO and Allies increasingly integrate gender perspectives and WPS in all NATO’s work.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed /Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Canada remained a strong, highly recognized leader on WPS within NATO. In FY 2021/23, Canada continued to chair the "Group of Friends of 1325" and of the "Group of Friends of Human Security" and has hosted several informal meetings to promote the implementation of the WPS agenda at NATO. Canada further participated in meetings with a smaller group of Allies which incorporated civilians and military colleagues to improve synergies and increase coordination between political and military within allied delegations. This greatly improved synergies and communications between the two structures. These discussions led to identifying some challenges and ways to address them.

Canada is still contributing to the HSU with a Canadian WPS expert embedded in the Unit to promote gender mainstreaming, develop training, and strengthen NATO’s monitoring and evaluation capacity, for example. Canada also financially contributed to several WPS-related events, including the event celebrating International Women’s Day and the Annual Conference of NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives. Canada also co-hosted with Sweden a conference on how best to develop WPS topics as they related to adult-orientated learning and Professional Military Education at NATO HQ. Canada also provided some funding and logistical assistance to ensure Allies and Partners could leverage the interest in the topics, as well as providing Canadian panellists to various WPS-related events.

Canada continued to keep WPS issues top of mind at NATO by regularly convening meetings to continue advancing the WPS agenda—as well as human security issues which overlap with WPS. Through its consistent efforts, Canada strengthened NATO’s WPS commitments by systematically advocating for integrating gender perspectives into all of NATO’s work, raising WPS and gender issues in every committee when appropriate, at all levels, both on the civilian and military side. Canadian officials meeting with NATO, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence, also raised WPS during their discussions. Minister Joly attended a WPS event on the margins of the Summit in Madrid in 2022.

Canada’s voice on WPS is consistently sought-after and highly respected in the Alliance, and its contributions to NATO policy consultations were actively solicited and greatly appreciated. In 2021, Canada convened a small group from the group of Friends of 1325 to draft the WPS and HS paragraphs of the NATO Brussel June 2021 Communiqué. We led negotiations, including working with the small group of Friends and some Allies on the sidelines to draft consensus language. The language in the communiqué is strong due entirely to Canada’s leadership on the issue in convening Allies and leading negotiations to hammer out consensus language. In 2022, Canada advocated strongly for ensuring that WPS was well represented in the new Strategic Concept, NATO’s capstone strategic policy document, which is refreshed every decade or so. The Strategic Concept calls for the integration of the WPS agenda across all NATO core tasks. Since then, Canada has been advocating for the operationalization of this objective. Canada also encouraged NATO to highlight WPS-related issues on their social media accounts, as well as BNATO’s own two Twitter accounts.

Challenges

Allies, including Canada, have been expressing concerns about the slow progress on the operationalization of the Strategic Concept, which called for the integration of the WPS agenda. Many discussions have taken placed within a small group of like-minded Allies to outline challenges and strategize on the way forward. Challenges that were identified include the current structures within NATO, the lack of resources, and the lack of synergies between military and political structures.

At the moment, on the political side, the Human Security Unit (HSU) works on both human security and WPS under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on WPS within the Private Office. While this reflects the importance of the two topics as well as the relation between the two, it makes full integration into other work strands more difficult due to the seclusion of the HSU from other divisions, but also contributes to misconceptions about the relation between the two. On the military side, the IMS Office of the Gender Advisor (GENAD) provides information and advice on gender issues, including the effective implementation of WPS.

The NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) originally designed to give advice on WPS to the Chair of the Military Committee is unable to adequately perform its function due to its members’ location in Capitals without insight into the daily priorities, procedures, and common practices in NATO HQ as well as on the WPS work at NATO HQ.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s strategic communications highlight NATO’s commitment to defending allied territory through videos on military exercises and capabilities. While the NATO Public Diplomacy Division strives to show diversity, including women, in their videos, they have resisted efforts to fully integrate gender perspectives into this work.

Priority - Enhance cooperation between NATO, Allies and partners on WPS in NATO’s work

Target 8.2

Canada demonstrates strong commitment to ensuring that WPS priorities are systematically included in NATO cooperative security frameworks, including defence and capacity-building projects on a systematic basis.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22 and 2022/23, Canada helped to ensure that WPS issues remained high-level priorities for the Alliance, including in its cooperative security frameworks. Canada systematically raised gender and the importance of advancing the WPS agenda in its meetings with NATO Partners, including in meetings of the North Atlantic Council (the principal political decision-making body in the Alliance), in committee discussions on cooperative security frameworks such as partnership plans or assessments, and in informal meetings with Partners on how to better advance cooperation on WPS issues in the NATO context. While maintaining the individualized nature of each partner’s relationship with NATO, Canada has been promoting further engagement on WPS through flexible groupings of relevant partners to participate in activities in this area.

Challenges

As mentioned previously, the HSU works on both human security and WPS, and their work over the last FY (2022 to 2023) was more focused on human security-related issues, namely Combatting Trafficking of Human Being, Children and Armed Conflict, and Cultural Property Protection. Several WPS-related events have been taking place as mentioned previously but, without active work on WPS-related issues, it was more difficult to engage with partners. Allies, including Canada, have been expressing concerns that the WPS agenda has been taking a back seat to human security issues while the Alliance should be able to advance both at the same time.

Priority - Promote the increased representation of women in senior positions at NATO

Target 8.3

Canada supports the increased representation of women in senior positions at NATO.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed /Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Women are unfortunately consistently under-represented in senior-level positions in the Alliance. In order to support the increased representation of women in senior positions at NATO, Canada has consistently highlighted the importance of female leadership, and has advocated strongly and consistently for the inclusion of measures that encourage female applicants in NATO recruitment procedures.

During the reporting period, Canada supported the appointment of Canadian Wendy Gilmour as NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment in November 2022, the division responsible for facilitating the development and adoption of cutting-edge, innovative and interoperable capabilities, critical to ensuring the Alliance’s ability to undertake the full spectrum of missions and operations. Canada also Hosted Lgen Carignan, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture, to speak with the Human Security Unit, IMS GENAD and Allied MILREPs to determine the most effective way the CAF could support them, and share what the CAF has done on this file in recent history.

Challenges

Women remain under-represented in the Alliance, particularly in senior decision-making positions. Canada is encouraging NATO and Allies to continue to increase the representation of women, particularly at senior levels, within both the International Staff and the International Military Staff, and in operations. Allies, Partners and the Alliance alike have raised the particular challenge of recruitment and retention in the traditionally male-dominated defence and security sector, and have held discussions on potential causes and solutions.

9. Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva

Context

The mission participates in a range of Geneva-based UN bodies and other intergovernmental organizations that are active on security, human rights, humanitarian issues, migration, health, labour and disarmament, as well as trade and development, and that can affect change in the lives of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected states. Among these organizations are the Human Rights Council; UN High Commissioner for Refugees; International Organization for Migration; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies/ICRC; International Labour Organization; World Health Organization; and the Conference on Disarmament. The mission also engages on a number of additional Geneva-based processes that are relevant including on protection of medical missions and on standards for private military and security companies. In addition, Canada is a governing board member or participant in many relevant Geneva-based international CSO and advocacy groups.

Priority - Advance WPS in Geneva-based multilateral for a and other organizations

Target 9.1 (Closed)

By the end of FY 2018/19, the Mission develops key messages on WPS and uses them systematically in multilateral institutions and processes, governing boards and councils, and advocacy groups that can effect change in the lives of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Target 9.2

9.2.1 Geneva-based group of Friends of WPS is established and Canada will lead it or actively participate in it.

9.2.2 By 2022, the Group of Friends will contain at least 20 member states and work with at least four CSO, and it will support engagement on the WPS agenda in at least three Geneva-based forums.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed – 9.2.1, 9.2.2/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed – 9.2.1, 9.2.2/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in Geneva continued to lead the Geneva-based Group of Friends on WPS. The group includes 33 Member States and 14 civil society organizations observers, in addition to UN Women and the UN Population Fund. Across its FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23 activities, the Group engaged on advocacy of WPS issues related to peacekeeping, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, the Group of Governmental Experts on Problems Arising from the Accumulation of Conventional Ammunition Stockpiles, the Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition, the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, the Conference on Disarmament, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).

The Group also engages with Geneva-based United Nations organizations, such as the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in order to advance data-disaggregated and empirically based approaches to disarmament issues.

In the disarmament sphere, the Mission works with some Member States of the group to:

A key implementation challenge in FY 2021/22 included COVID social distancing measures. Though some virtual events were possible, many multilateral events were cancelled or postponed. The lifting of distancing measures in late FY 2021/22 created scheduling challenges due to back-to-back events and conferences upon the resumption of in-person engagements in FY 2022/23.

Additionally, throughout the reporting period the Mission has observed and experienced increasing pushback by a wide range of Member States on efforts to advance and advocate gender-inclusive approaches across all multilateral forums in Geneva, impacting the ability to implement the WPS agenda.

Priority - Support the increased and meaningful participation in Geneva-based fora of women from fragile and conflict-affected states

9.3.1 Target 9.3 (Closed) - By the end of FY 2019/20, the mission has sponsored or partnered to support at least three activities related to women in FCAS per year.

9.3.2 By the end of FY 2022/23, the mission supports at least 20 women or women’s groups per year.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required – 9.3.2/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Mostly on Track – 9.3.2/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Between 2021 and 2023, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in Geneva continued to sponsor and partner to support numerous activities related to women in fragile and conflict-affected states, including support for various women or women’s groups.

Human Rights: The Mission co-sponsored several events on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected states. This provided an opportunity for women’s rights organizations to share experiences of sexual and gender-based violence, and provide recommendations about how to improve protection mechanisms, accountability, and inclusive justice.

Challenges

Though some virtual events were possible, many multilateral events were cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic. The lifting of distancing measures in late FY 2021/22 created scheduling challenges due to back-to-back events and conferences once in-person engagements resumed in FY 2022/23.

Priority - Strengthen WPS and gender analysis capacity within the Mission

Target 9.4 (Closed)

By the end of the FY 2018/19, all Mission officers working with internationally-oriented institutions and organizations that have the ability to effect change in the lives of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected states are trained in gender competence and develop, on an ongoing basis, gender expertise as it relates to their respective responsibilities.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

10. Canada at the international organization of La Francophonie

Context

One of the four major priorities of la Francophonie is peace, democracy and human rights. The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) programming in this area, which is directly supported by Canadian voluntary contributions, includes:

WPS is addressed notably through the Francophone Women’s Network for Peace. Within the OIF, there are several opportunities to raise issues and promote solutions related to WPS:

Priority - Advance the WPS agenda in La Francophonie

Target 10.1

Key messages on WPS are used regularly in relevant OIF meetings that can effect change in the lives of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

WPS issues have generally been taken into account by the IOF in recent years, as demonstrated by the Stratégie de la Francophonie pour la promotion de l’égalité femmes-hommes, des droits et de l’autonomisation des femmes et des filles, the IOF’s Programmation quadriennale 2019-2022 and the creation of the ÉFH Unit. Recognized as a credible and committed player on these issues in the Francophone space, Canada played an active role in FY 2021/22 in advancing WPS issues as part of the implementation of the IOF Strategy, the programming and monitoring of results, and the organization’s key declarations and resolutions.

Two challenges, however, have limited our ability to achieve results. The first is the multilateral context, and the difficulty of reaching consensus with other member states that do not shar’ Canada’s WPS priorities. Canada has generally been able to advance its priorities despite this context, thanks to the collaboration of several affinity countries. Moreover, the OIF’s gender equality and monitoring-evaluation resources are still being developed. This state of affairs represents a second challenge that limits the organization’s ability to optimally integrate and monitor WPS issues in its programming. Canada supports the IOF through targeted expertise and funding to increase the organization’s capacity in this area.

Canada is recognized as a leader in WPS and HRE within the Francophone space. The activities and forums used by Canada to advance WPS issues in FYs 2021-23 have supported women’s participation and effective representation, and highlighted the particular importance of advancing the rights of women and girls in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and management contexts’ Canada’s interventions and actions have led to concrete results, notably through advocacy within the organization’s governing bodies to strengthen the integration of EFH as a priority within the organization’s projects.

Over the course of 2022, OIF has organized several activities:

Priority - Strengthen gender analysis capacity within Global Affairs Canada’s La Francophonie-team

Target 10.2

By the end of FY 2022/23, two officers working on the OIF, one Ottawa-based and one Paris-based, are trained on gender to provide, on an ongoing basis, gender expertise as it relates to their respective responsibilities.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicators

Results and progress

Although there were no new agents who received significant training on GE issues this year, the Francophonie team still exceeds the target of two trained agents. In fact, four Francophonie officers at headquarters and in post (PARIS) have received at least one training session on GE, enabling them to act effectively with Francophonie institutions in developing positions, policies and programming covering issues related to WPS and gender equality. These training sessions have also enabled us to develop a better internal knowledge of the resources available to support Canada’s gender equality interventions in the Francophonie context. For FY 2021/22, new employees have also benefited from gender equality training.

11. Canada at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Context

Canada has been actively engaged in ensuring the adoption of several specific policies and measures in support of GE for the OSCE, both with participating States and within the Organization itself. Canada promotes the continued implementation of the 2004 OSCE 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (APPGE), advocates for the provision of more detailed data in its annual GE report, and helps identify ways for the Organization’s Secretariat, institutions and field operations to further integrate GBA Plus in day-to-day operations. Canada also actively advances and promotes priorities such as:

Priority - Mainstream gender and WPS in the OSCE secretariat, institutions, and field missions

Target 11.1

Canada demonstrates strong commitment to supporting the OSCE Secretariat in promoting better integration of gender perspectives in its activities and operations.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Concrete action within the OSCE that will lead to actual progress is highly dependent on political and finding consensus across all 57 participating States. VOSCE’s efforts aim at building that political will, one speaker and one intervention at a time. VOSCE regularly raised gender equality and women, peace and security in its official statements to demonstrate its commitment and support of the OSCE Secretariat. Canada mainstreamed gender during its Chair of the Security Committee, making sure the gender angle was covered in each committee meeting and ensuring gender balance of the speakers.

Advocacy by Canada and like-minded encouraged action within the secretariat, institution, and field missions. By the end of 2022, all OSCE executive structures and field operations had adopted individual gender equality action plans to advance gender equality. In 2017, only 10 out of 15 field missions had a gender action plan.

OSCE gender-based Networks (Women Ambassadors, Women in 1st Dimension, and Men for Gender Equality) evolved in the last five years. They were initially informal and established mainly to share views on priority issues but have rapidly evolved into concrete advocacy tools. For example, Women Ambassadors at the OSCE has become a voice in itself, now delivering statements at the Permanent Council, on behalf of the women ambassadors from a diverse group of countries, highlighting their contribution at the OSCE. These interventions and active engagement in gender-based networks were critical over the reporting period to maintain a strong focus on WPS within the organization.

In December 2021, the Secretary General of the OSCE launched the OSCE Networking Platform for Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators. The informal platform connects women mediators and peacebuilders who are active in the OSCE region for learning, networking and sharing best practices.

Challenges

In the OSCE the notion of "gender" creates deep divides along national-sociological lines, and there are persistent efforts by certain participating States to roll back previously agreed language. The inclusion of WPS or gender equality language in ministerial decisions, which are essential to generate progress, is an uphill battle. It requires relentless efforts from delegations determined to achieve concrete results. Canada and like-minded delegations often have to be prepared to renounce or compromise progress in other areas in order to make some gains on gender, and sometimes even only to maintain the acquis.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into the politico-military efforts of the OSCE

Target 11.2

Canada demonstrates strong commitment to ensuring the systematic integration of gender perspectives into OSCE capacity-building initiatives and outreach activities such as training, conferences, workshops, etc., especially with defence forces, operational law enforcement agencies, and other security-related government entities.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In the five-year period, gender mainstreaming levels across all OSCE projects increased from 78% limited and fully mainstreamed in 2018 to 95% in 2022, with 42% of these being fully mainstreamed.

Since 2018, the secretariat has been tracking the gender balance in panels at the OSCE conferences and meetings. While women are overrepresented on panels in the 3rd Dimension (human rights and democracy), representation within the 1st Dimension (politico-military security) remains low. VOSCE’s constant efforts to secure the participation of highly qualified female speakers within the 1st Dimension are important not only to shift the gender balance on panels but also to incorporate gender equality into the security sector. In FY 2021/22, five Canadian speakers participated in panels in the first dimension. VOSCE took on the role of Chair of the Security Committee (1st Dimension political military) in 2022 and ensure gender balance on panels with 52% of speakers being female.

Challenges

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has led to a "no business as usual" model which has limited the activities at the OSCE starting in February 2022. The confrontational political climate has stalled any kind of progress within the organization, including on gender.

Priority - Promote the increased representation of women at the OSCE

Target 11.3 (Closed)

By 2020, the 2004 OSCE Gender Action Plan is fully implemented by the OSCE Secretariat, with leadership by Canada.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Key Updates since FY 2020/21

The number of women applying for contracted positions within the OSCE increased to 51% in 2022 leading to an increase in female staff across employment categories. Women occupied 48% of senior management positions (S4-P5) of the OSCE by December 2022, exceeding the 2023 interim target of 30%. At the D2 and D1 level women currently occupy four out of the seven existing posts. While good progress has been made to increase women’s representation in leadership positions and strengthen internal mechanisms for gender equality, the full implementation of the 2004 OSCE Gender Action Plan remains a work in progress within the Organization. For this reason, the target is considered not achieved.

Challenges

The OSCE remains heavily reliant on secondments to staff positions and only 22% of nominations from participating States for senior management positions were female in 2022 leading to a corresponding low number of women in these positions (27%). With the closure of the SMM, Canada did not second staff to the OSCE in FY 2022/23. One of the most concrete actions Canada can take to increase gender equality is to put forward more Canadian female candidates for secondments and encourage more Canadian women to apply for contracted positions, as per the target indicator.

Bilateral engagement

Middle East

Middle East Strategy

On February 2, 2016, Cabinet approved the Whole of Government Strategy for Support to the Global Coalition Against Daesh, and Broader Engagement in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. The three-year strategy (April 2016 to March 2019) integrates foreign policy, defence, and development so that Canada can make a modest but effective contribution to international efforts to help address the crises. The $2 billion commitment includes new funding of $1.5 billion, plus $0.6 billion in existing funding, to support Canada’s continuing efforts, to address immediate security threats while also providing support for the ongoing humanitarian crisis and longer-term development, security and stabilization needs in the region. Iraq and Syria are the main theatres of conflict and sources of instability in the region, while Jordan and Lebanon are the two neighbouring countries most at risk of destabilization, as they bear some of the greatest burden of the Syrian refugee crisis and face growing security concerns. In addition, Canada’s increasing support to experienced humanitarian partners in SRHR in emergencies, including in the Middle East, is helping to address gender-based gaps in access to reproductive health services; to integrate comprehensive GBV response and treatment in reproductive health; and provide safe spaces for women and girls. This whole-of-government Strategy is led by Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

12. Middle East Development Programming

Context

This section pertains to the coordination and integration of the whole-of-government Strategy in the Middle East. Thus some targets below pertain more broadly to Humanitarian Assistance, Security and Stabilization, Diplomatic Engagement as well as Development. In 2019, the Government of Canada renewed the whole-of-government Strategy in the Middle East for an additional two years to March 2021.

The Middle East Development Program operates in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Like most of Canadian development programming over the past two and a half decades, it has made a concerted effort to advance gender equality objectives through its programming to reduce poverty and improve economic development, accelerate human and social development, defend human rights, build the capacity of women’s rights organizations, and create more equitable societies. The Middle East Development Program operates in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Priority - Increase mainstreaming of WPS and gender into development programming in Middle East
Target 12.1

Canada will significantly increase the percentage of programming that integrates gender perspectives for the four countries under the Middle East Strategy (2016 to 2022).

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Human interest story

In the lead-up to the 2021 Iraq general election, local women’s rights organization Iraqi Al-Amal led a workshop in Erbil, Iraq aimed at empowering women candidates who were vying for seats in the Iraqi parliament. One of them was Shatha Al Dawoodi, a Kurdish woman who was born in Baghdad and raised in Kirkuk. Al Dawoodi said the opportunity to attend the session interested her as a chance to learn more about the role of gender in Iraqi society.

“The gender perspective is not an easy thing or subject, it is broad and deep-rooted [in society],” she said. “When women participate in elections, they need full knowledge in all aspects of the communities they are part of, for example, to be aware of the risks and issues that may occur during the time of nomination. The workshop helped us to be strong and find a way of dealing with others, whether it's a child, a woman, an elder or a man, and the behaviours and mentalities that they may have,” said Al Dawoodi. For all candidates in the workshop, it was the first time that they had a chance to get acquainted with the meaning of gender, how it impacts societal organization, and how certain expectations from women contributed to their exclusion from the public sphere. During the election itself, the learnings of the session proved fruitful as two of the women candidates from the workshop ultimately were successful in their political campaigns, becoming elected members of the Iraqi parliament.

Priority - Undertake a gender stocktaking of programming and diplomatic engagement under the whole of government Strategy
Target 12.2 (Closed)

12.2.1 Facilitate a common understanding of the GE context in the 4 Middle East Strategy countries, and provide a baseline inventory of GAC initiatives integrating GE.

12.2.2 Changes to the baseline will be tracked.

12.2.3 Identify options to improve the quality and effectiveness of GE efforts in a potential second phase of the Middle East Strategy after FY 2018/19, if approved by Cabinet.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

12.2.1 Target was achieved in FY 2018/19

12.2.2 GE results are tracked and reported as part of the regular performance management and reporting cycle.

12.2.3 Completed in 2018 for the second phase of the strategy with continuous improvements in progress with a GE Implementation Guide.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Complete – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Priority - Support local women’s rights organizations and movements working to advance WPS and GE in the Middle East
Target 12.3

Canada establishes a mechanism through which to provide direct support to women’s rights organization in the four countries of the Middle East Strategy.

Assuming at least another 4 years to undertake implementation:

12.3.1 Canada enhances advocacy by women’s rights organizations to advance WPS and GE in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

12.3.2 Canada improves the management, programming and sustainability of local women’s rights organizations in the four countries of the Middle East Strategy.

12.3.3 Canada increases the effectiveness of sub-national, national and regional women’s rights platforms, networks, and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Internal capacity and efficiency.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Iraq

Through Oxfam-Quebec’s Women and Girls Rebuilding a New Iraq project, Canada reached 17 WROs from 8 governorates with advanced skills on policy, advocacy, gender transformative campaigns and capacity-building support on various gender-related topics. However, only one training session on leadership, human rights and self-esteem for women in WROs was held (Target of 7 sessions) and only one roundtable discussion was held between 50 policymakers and WROs due to competing priorities of the participants (Target of 8).

Canada’s Supporting Women’s Participation in Local Governance continued to increase the knowledge of women activists on gender-sensitive policy-making processes. By the end of 2022, five Women’s Advisory Boards (WABs) have developed and shared briefs for their Policy Development Projects that addressed a series of issues, including creating an enabling environment for female students, promoting professional growth for female administrative staff involved in education, and reducing school dropout rates. Additionally, through engagement with local government, decision makers, key stakeholders and civil society, WAB members:

With Canada’s support, Heartland Alliance International (HAI) provided capacity-building training to partners to enhance their organization’s system and technical capacity to support the implementation of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. HAI also succeeded in convincing tribal leaders to gather publicly and sign a commitment (an honour code) to support women and girls to protect them from coerced "Fasilya" marriages. A number of 55 tribal leaders signed a covenant pledging to support women. Over 70% of surveyed participants contributed to prohibiting such a practice, an unprecedented change in many tribal leaders’ mentality and behaviour in Iraq.

Challenges

Women Rights Organizations’ (WROs) networks and alliances of women’s rights and defenders are fragmented, and pursue the same course through different avenues leading to a lack of progress towards institutional change.

Jordan

In 2022, Canada continued to improve the effectiveness of at least ten community-based organizations and two women’s cooperatives to actively represent and support women’s voices in decision-making processes, thereby increasing their participation in the local economy. By the second year of implementation:

In response to increasing reported cases of GBV in both refugee camps and host communities, 2,729 women received protection assistance (psychosocial support, legal advice, and referrals). After taking an active part in 135 awareness-raising sessions, 1,764 women and girls are now more aware of their rights, how to protect themselves from GBV and how to prevent it. The sessions covered early marriage, protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, child abuse and economic violence, incest, bullying, divorce and alimony, and human trafficking. Moreover, 3,740 women increased their awareness of how to report incidents and request GBV services such as psycho-social assistance, legal advice and shelter. Additionally, a total of 1,938 SGBV survivors received psychosocial and legal support services, including services provided through the confidential hotline.

Challenges

The role of women’s rights organizations in advancing WPS is often mentioned anecdotally in project reports but is not being measured in a robust manner using concrete quantitative or qualitative data. For instance, how are voices being heard and in what decision-making processes? What are the social norms being challenged and how does that reflect on power structures? Social norms are rigid and gender equality in the workforce is very limited for women, especially in poverty pockets and the municipalities hard hit by the Syrian crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lebanon

Through the Supporting Women’s Resilience in a Time of Crisis project, 205 women (114 Lebanese and 91 Syrian) and 45 men (13 Lebanese and 32 Syrian) participated in Indashyikirwa sessions (a participatory community mobilization approach) to discuss key gender concepts, power dynamics, human rights, gender roles and sexuality, including GBV. Participants confirmed the effectiveness of the sessions in influencing attitudes and behaviours including understanding of roles and responsibilities, communicating feelings and concerns, conflict management and resolution, and changes in self-confidence. Additionally, ten capacity-building plans for municipalities in the North and Mount Lebanon governorates were launched to build the skills and knowledge of the municipalities to better promote women’s rights and economic participation.

Moreover, 329 participants representing livelihoods and GBV prevention practitioners participated in two webinars on the integration of GBV prevention in economic empowerment programming. In addressing systemic inequality via the Mashreq Gender Facility, a law project amending several articles in the Labour Code was approved and signed by six members of the Parliament. Articles included provisions on:

Challenges

Lebanon’s multiple crises, including the massive explosion in Beirut’s port, the economic collapse and rising political instability are obstacles to progress on women’s rights and gender equality.

Syria

In 2021, Canada provided multi-year funding to three local organizations who in turn provided support to 60 other WROs and GGIs in northeast Syria. Canadian efforts responded to the needs and priorities of WROs/GGIs inside Syria by improving their capacity to promote women’s rights and advance women’s empowerment and gender equality at all levels of Syrian society. Results included:

The three organizations also gained the skills and knowledge to help GGIs develop local understanding of violent extremism (VE) and prioritize women’s political empowerment to increase community resilience against violence. The three partner organizations are now able to more effectively participate in decision-making arenas and influence various stakeholders involved in the fight for equal and full participation of women.

Challenges

Major challenges include the volatile security situation, COVID-19 and the flow of funds. As a result of the economic challenges in Syria, partners were struggling to withdraw funds from banks and transfer payments to Syria. Alternative processes had to be put in place to secure payments which resulted in additional administration and various transfer costs.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Iraq
Target 12.4

Canada, through PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Iraq by ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated in 100% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, PSOPs prioritized project proposals that demonstrated comprehensive WPS and GBA Plus perspectives and consultations with women/women’s organizations/WPS activities, while also addressing stabilization needs in Iraq. All logic models and performance measurement frameworks for new PSOPs projects reflected WPS and gender perspectives.

PSOPs in partnership with the Development Transformations Institute, supported a project in areas previously occupied by Daesh, working to prevent reprisals against families with perceived affiliations to Daesh, and to mitigate violence as a barrier to the safe and sustainable return of displaced Iraqis to those areas. The project ensured women’s representation on crisis committees charged with mediating conflicts, which improved their engagement with and understanding of the unique challenges faced by women returnees and their families.

Challenges

In FY 2021/22, PSOPs-funded projects faced significant risks of pushback from conservative elements within communities. Typical approaches to mitigating these risks and enabling women’s participation included permitting and paying for a male family member to accompany women to events and trainings, as well as facilitating parallel meetings between women community members and male leaders who agreed to later represent their concerns and perspectives in more formal dialogues. PSOPs partners also built alliances with influential men in the community who helped present the project to the broader community and promoted the creation of space for women’s participation.

In FY 2022/23, there were minimal changes in the landscape, and the challenges faced by PSOPs projects largely remained consistent. Similarly, the solutions employed to address these challenges also remained consistent.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Syria
Target 12.5

Canada, through PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Syria by ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated in 90% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

While the Syrian peace process remains largely stalled, through PSOPs funding, the Syrian Women’s Political Movement (SWPM) improved its organizational capacity and technical capabilities by conducting research, drafting policy papers, strengthening communications skills, and engaging in international forums to advocate on behalf of Syrians. The SWPM participated in 7 political forums and 21 bilateral meetings with key government and UN stakeholders. They held side meetings at high-level events, including the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2022, co-sponsored by several countries, including Canada. During these meetings, the SWPM conveyed key political messages and recommendations on the situation in Syria, and the particular impacts on women.

In FY 2022/23, a total of 12 young women successfully completed the SWPM Young Politicians Program and gained experience engaging in political forums (e.g., in Geneva) to put their knowledge and skills into practice.

Challenges

Implementing projects in Syria remained a challenge in FY 2021/22 and 2022/23 due to the lack of permissive operational space. The Syrian regime and extremist organizations remained present in important areas of Syria, limiting international donors’ capacity to support women and women-led organizations.

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023 made it increasingly difficult for Syrian women human rights defenders and women’s organizations working out of southern Turkey and northwest Syria to continue their operations as they lost family members, homes, and livelihoods. In addition, the regional normalization trend towards the Syrian regime after the earthquake has made it difficult for Syrian women to operate in civic spaces.

13. Middle East Diplomatic Engagement

Iraq

Context

The Government of Iraq’s implementation of its NAP on UNSCR 1325 (2014-2018) has been limited. Currently, Iraq is in the process of developing the new 5-year Action Plan, but it is unclear whether the newly-formed government will show greater commitment to its implementation than the last one. Canada has recently expanded its diplomatic presence in Iraq, in both Baghdad and Erbil, and has increased somewhat its capacity to engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on WPS issues. However, the security environment remains restrictive, posing challenges for Canadian diplomats to travel outside the main cities of Baghdad and Erbil to engage with local authorities and organizations.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements in Iraq
Target 13.1

Canada promotes its WPS position and priorities to Iraqi government officials and stakeholders to increase awareness of WPS.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Timeline

Results and progress

Leading by example in Iraq on WPS/1325, Canada continues to deploy female senior officers and non-commissioned members in advisory roles to the Iraqi Security Forces, especially in NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). Moreover, empowerment of women remains a key theme, with gender equality receiving a similar level of emphasis as laws of armed conflict and fundamental human rights, during all engagements.

In meetings and engagements, both the BGHDD and ERBIL raised WPS issues, in particular continuing to raise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls. Other areas that were raised included the special needs of female returnees and the gendered impacts of climate change. BGHDD and ERBIL continue to work closely with, at times leading, a group of diplomatic missions in communicating international concern to the government and calling for them to uphold their previously stated commitments to human rights.

For FY 2021/22 and 2022/23, the embassy’s CFLI supported an Iraqi NGO working with the gender units in Iraqi ministries (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior) to build their capacity to more effectively plan, monitor and evaluate ministry policies from a gender perspective. The project not only built the capacity of current staff, but creating training tools that can be used by future staff.

Challenges

Following the October 2021 federal parliamentary elections, a new government only formed in October 2022, resulting in an extended caretaker government that had budgetary and legal constraints on the implementation of new and even existing initiatives, including the second Iraq National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. While the new government’s declared priorities are well in line with many Canadian objectives (a focus on service delivery, anti-corruption efforts, and economic reform), the overall environment in Iraq is not promising.

The competition between political actors in the government formation period, and between the two main parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), who are also locked in an extended pre-electoral period for regional elections, has given rise to a number of problematic trends. Civic space is shrinking, with NGOs experiencing rising constraints from the federal and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), freedom of the press has also seen serious backsliding in both federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

This shrinking space has been particularly felt by women`s organizations, particularly those who work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Shia political leader Moqtada al Sadr has repeatedly used anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric to both drive and motivate grassroots passion in the movement he leads, often marrying and conflating anti-Western sentiment with anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment. For NGOs working on WPS issues, this has required careful calibration of their work and public messaging, as many officials now view work on "gender" as a Trojan horse for pro-2SLGBTQIA+ programming. In addition, with a near-total focus of governmental institutions on dealing with the economic shocks of the pandemic and the war with Ukraine, there was little willingness among governmental bodies to discuss WPS, seeing these issues as secondary.

Priority - Provide a platform for advancing WPS in stabilization efforts through the Global Coalition against Daesh’ Working Group on Stabilization
Target 13.2

Canada maintains efforts to advance WPS in the Global Coalition against Daesh’ Working Group on Stabilization (WGS).

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required/Objective 5.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Attention Required/Objective 5.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2022/23, the Canadian Embassy in Baghdad participated in the Global Coalition against Daesh Working Group on Stabilization (WGS) meetings, held in person and on a rotational basis. Meetings were cohosted and co-chaired by the Embassy. In those meetings Canada advocated for the assessment of stabilization projects through a gender lens, and for working to advance women’s voices in Iraq. This was regularly included in discussions on priority files for the WGS, including the return of Iraqi citizens from Syrian camps and prisons, the clearance of lands from mines and unexploded ordinances, and the security sector assistance provided to the Iraqi security forces. Canada led by example, often sharing lessons learned and best practices with the WGS, while working to advance those priority files through a gender lens. Overall, Canada’s engagement led to better exchanges among donor participants, more focused discussions on WPS, and better awareness of the challenges faced.

During FY 2021/22, there were once again very few WGS meetings due to the impacts of COVID-19 and competing Coalition priorities. When WGS meetings occurred, they were held virtually and with limited agendas. Where interventions could take place, they were focused on the top priorities, which included presenting the WGS stabilization priorities for the year and obtaining commitment from coalition members to support continued stabilization efforts in both Iraq and Syria. Other competing priorities for the WGS included addressing the changes in conditions of the Iraqi operating environment, including security threats to the coalition, but particularly the need to support the return and reintegration of persons perceived to be affiliated with Daesh. For example, previous events hosted by Canada as the WGS Gender Focal Point included workshops held on the margins of in-person WGS meetings, which were not possible in 2021/22. Canada’s Ambassador in Iraq continued to advocate for the Government of Iraq to fund the second Iraqi National Action Plan (INAP) on WPS.

Challenges

The most significant challenge to maintaining efforts to advancing WPS in the WGS during FY 2021/22 continued to be a lack of opportunity. The limited frequency and virtual format of meetings resulted in severely limited stakeholder intervention. The need for highly scripted and tightly managed interventions dissuaded any discussion other than the meeting’s top priority, and the reduced number of meetings ensured the focus was on topics that necessitated them, the need to ensure continued Coalition member support to stabilization efforts in Iraq and Syria and the commitment to ensuring a lasting defeat of Daesh. Although the WGS meetings for FY 2022/23 resumed in-person, the lack of opportunity to rebuild momentum around the gender focal point role remained.

Syria

Context

Canada works closely with like-minded partners and Syrian stakeholders towards reaching a political solution to Syria’s protracted conflict. Seven tragic years of conflict have added significant challenges to, and led to a deterioration of, women’s rights and the situation of Syrian women and girls living in and outside the country (when displaced by the conflict). Canada has continued to be highly active in supporting the meaningful participation of women in Syrian peace negotiations, and meaningful participation of women’s organizations and networks in conflict prevention. Canada will continue to prioritize women’s empowerment and increased and meaningful participation in political dialogue and decision-making as well as GE, inclusiveness and protection generally.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements concerning Syria
Target 13.3

Canada promotes its WPS positions and priorities with Syrian stakeholders to increase awareness of WPS.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Timeline

Results and progress

During FY 2022/23 the 2022 Brussels Conference, Canada announced its commitment of $229.15 million in humanitarian and development assistance for Syria and the region. This funding will focus on empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality and improving the quality and sustainability of gender-responsive social services.

In June 2022, Canada co-sponsored the Arria Formula Meeting on "Syrian Women’s Voices on Detainees and the Disappeared in Syria." Canada’s intervention highlighted the importance of empowering women and uplifting their voices which is critical to achieving an inclusive, sustainable peace in Syria.

Canada co-sponsored HRC50 and HRC51 resolutions on the Situation of Human Rights in Syria. Both resolutions mention ongoing concerns with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the vulnerability of women and children in IDP camps, and child, early and forced marriage.

In September 2022, Canada co-sponsored the UNGA Side Event on Accountability where a Canadian official expressed our ongoing support to groups like the Syrian Legal Development Program, to build their capacity to advocate for accountability and to place women at the centre of these efforts.

In October 2022, Canada co-sponsored the launch of the IIIM Syria Gender Strategy, with the objective of a gender-responsive and inclusive accountability and justice process.

At the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) side event on "Women, Religion, and Freedom: A Conversation with Syrian, Iranian, and Tunisian Women," Canada delivered an intervention highlighting the importance of women’s equality.Canada continued to support Syrian partner organizations that are advancing WPS principles, including women’s participation in the peace process, by prioritizing engagements with Syrian women’s civil society leaders and women’s organizations such as the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.

In FY 2022/23 Syria-related CFLI projects achieved the following:

During 2021/22 Canada continues to advocate in support of the WPS agenda as it relates to Syria at all levels of engagement, particularly aimed at building commitments and encouraging actions to advance WPS objectives.

In September 2021, at the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Week Side Event "Raising the Bar: Working towards Comprehensive Justice for Syria," Canada expressed that justice and accountability efforts must remain sensitive to the particular challenges faced by women and children, and the need to amplify their voices.

In November 2021, Canada co-sponsored a side event at the 26th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, "The Last Straw: How Chemical Weapons Impact Women and Break Communities."

In FY 2021/22 Canada’s Syria-related CFLI projects and other related initiatives contributed to WPS objectives. CFLI projects promote the empowerment of women and girls, particularly in legal and economic areas and human rights. Projects are implemented in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Syria. These initiatives achieved the following:

Challenges

Competing priorities in the form of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have generally diverted attention away from Syria, decreased programming resources for the country and led Russia to indefinitely suspend the Constitutional Committee talks, an important venue for women’s political participation. Additionally, the February 2023 earthquakes in northern Syria and southern Turkey compounded an already dire economic and humanitarian situation and significantly increased pressure on humanitarian organizations and civil society working in affected areas. The worsening humanitarian conditions in Syria have rebalanced priorities slightly away from peace and security, instead prioritizing humanitarian support.

Human interest story

Farah Ahmad Al-Salem, a civil engineering student from the city of Qamishli, got acquainted with Canada's CFLI partner SMART Centre through social media. This allowed her to join a project announced by SMART in the summer of 2021 entitled “Preparing Peacebuilders and Enhancing the Participation of Women and Girls in Public Affairs in Qamishli." After undergoing aptitude examination by the SMART Centre, Farah joined one of the ten-day capacity-building training workshops which covered human rights, gender-based violence, and negotiation and mediation skills. Farah’s skills and capacities developed and her self-confidence increased, and this was noticed by the officials of the Peacebuilders Project.

After her presentation of the Women's League Match, the project trainers recognized her talent, so they supported her and honed her presentation and speaking skills. Farah was contacted later by the media outlets that covered the event, and after noticing the excellence of her style of delivery and presentation, they offered her to work in the media field. The SMART Centre, in turn, provided support to Farah by empowering her, building her capacities, and giving her a job opportunity with them at the Centre as a coordinator of one of the organization's other endeavours titled “Together We Can Initiative”.

Jordan

Context

Jordan has demonstrated support for and is implementing strategies that focus on women’s empowerment (National Strategy for Women and Government’s Vision 2025). However, women still do not have the same legal status and rights as men. Discrimination, domestic violence, and child, early and forced marriage are enduring concerns, both in host communities and especially among Syrian refugees. Diplomatic advocacy continues to support Canada’s efforts to prioritize GE, women’s economic and political empowerment, inclusion, and protection.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements in Jordan
Target 13.4

Canada promotes its WPS position and priorities to Jordanian government officials and Jordanian stakeholders to increase awareness of WPS.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2022/23 the Canadian embassy in Amman held the highly successful FemParl III Conference, which brought together 17 outstanding delegates, including current politicians and civil society from across MENA, as well as high-calibre experts to address the challenge of online violence faced by women politicians and leaders. Canadian missions covering 11 countries and territories participated in the conference. The embassy was able to showcase Canadian leadership and experiences by bringing Senator Marilou McPhedran to the conference and having former Minister Catherine McKenna join online. The conference’s key outcomes led to the increased awareness of the nature, scope and manifestations of technology-facilitated GBV in the MENA region among FemParl delegates and participants; Leveraged and enhanced the visibility of Canadian efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, and to address online violence and disinformation; and reinforced of regional-level network of women parliamentarians, politicians, leaders, officials and activists engaged in paving the way for more women to participate in decision-making.

Online violence poses a huge challenge to women leaders and politicians and discourages many young women from seeking political office or prominent roles. FemParl MENA III shone the light on this phenomenon. It enabled women leaders from across the region to share experiences of online harassment and violence, to learn more about the issues, and to build a community of women trying to tackle this problem. All women who participated in the conference indicated having at least once experienced online violence. The ability to use the digital space safely is paramount for effective performance in public roles. Recommendations stemming from the discussions identified the need for action at various levels, including advocating for more effective legislation, spreading awareness, integrating into the education system, and providing knowledge and training to equip women to better protect themselves. The Embassy of Canada in Jordan is exploring ways to help maintain the momentum created at FemParl MENA III.

During FY 2021/22 AMMAN has engaged in online advocacy efforts to promote WPS priorities and positions. This included the 16 Days of Action, which included a video by the Ambassador to kick off the campaign, which reached over 2,000 people and was the top social media post by AMMAN that month. AMMAN also hosted a series of roundtables during the campaign, engaging journalists, CFLI partners, youth, and CSOs working with refugees.

The legislation adopted following recommendations by Jordan’s Royal Committee on the modernization of the political system stipulates quotas for women (and youth) in political parties. Sustained advocacy by Canada and other members of the international community at various levels very likely contributed to this outcome. In cooperation with the Swedish embassy, AMMAN delivered a successful 5th edition of WikiGap. The initiative involves working with volunteers to expand the presence of notable Arab women on Wikipedia by creating new and updating existing profiles. Enhancing the presence of female role models on the internet who are active in various fields, including security and politics serves as an inspiration for young women to pursue their dreams and career ambitions.

Challenges

A challenge over this reporting period was the shrinking space for civil society, resulting from Jordan’s securitized approach to dissent. This context has made it more difficult for CSOs and advocates advancing the WPS agenda to operate.

Lebanon

Context

Lebanon continues its slow and fragile transition from the civil war, addressing its many structural challenges including lack of good governance, high levels of corruption, limited economic growth, human rights limitations, and recurrent security challenges due notably to the presence of armed groups. While Lebanon appears fairly progressive compared to many other Arab countries with respect to many rights, some fundamental rights are still not fully recognized and respected. While the Lebanese government has remained focused on political and security issues, such efforts have slowed progress in a number of other areas, such as the improvement of women’s status in society, GE, human rights and good governance. While being one of the most vulnerable communities in the country, facing all of these challenges, including the influx of Syrian refugees, women have become advocates for social cohesion within and between communities. Under its Middle East Strategy, Canada has put GE, women’s protection, empowerment, and inclusiveness at the top of programming and advocacy efforts in Lebanon.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements in Lebanon
Target 13.5

Canada promotes its WPS position and priorities to Lebanese government officials and stakeholders to increase awareness of WPS.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2021/22 Canada was an active member of the National Steering Committee for the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund in Lebanon. As chair of the gender donor coordination group in Lebanon, Canada regularly engaged on a bilateral basis or jointly with other donors, in advocacy efforts vis-à-vis the Government of Lebanon and leaders to push for women’s rights and the gender agenda in Lebanon.

Canada’s Ambassador to Lebanon regularly raised the theme of women, peace and security vis-à-vis Lebanese officials, including ministers, parliamentarians and religious figures. Throughout the year, the Embassy regularly posted on social media in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment. In particular, the Embassy took part in campaigns to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and a joint campaign on the political representation of women in Lebanon, alongside UN Women and like-minded countries. This was in addition to ad hoc publications on the International Day of the Girl Child, World Health Day and in support of Lebanon’s Feminist Civil Society Platform, for example.

Through the CFLI, the Embassy supported projects aiming toward greater gender equality and women’s empowerment in Lebanon. In particular, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections sought to increase women’s political engagement in the 2022 parliamentary elections, and the Arab Institute for Women trained female activists, media professionals and bloggers on the protection and promotion of human rights. Madanyat for Equality sought to increase women’s political participation in upcoming municipal elections (postponed to 2024). Five participants announced their candidacy to the next municipal elections, and three demonstrated interest in taking part in municipal councils. The Popular Aid for Relief and Development conducted trainings of trainers on a variety of sexual and reproductive health topics, including gender-based violence, with Palestinians. Through the project, 25 women received training and became health educators. They then held awareness sessions in their communities, reaching 420 additional women.

The Assabil Association sought to promote inclusive governance at the local level for women, youth and refugees through workshops, debate and rap. Participants enhanced their knowledge about inclusive governance and were empowered to voice their opinions and ideas. One participant said, "I was happy to participate in the debate activity it was a totally new and fruitful experience for me. I learnt the basic of debate and how to support my ideas in the society or in any meeting by preparing my thoughts and ideas through research a time ahead. Also, this opportunity gave me the chance to expand my circle of connection and to talk about different topics especially topics related to feminism."

The Embassy of Canada supported the participation of two Lebanese women (one member of Parliament and one candidate in the 2018 and 2022 elections) in FemParl MENA III, an annual conference that brings together female leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa to promote women’s participation in decision-making roles. This initiative contributed to advocacy, knowledge sharing and network building. The Embassy of Canada participated in "Ambassador for a Day," a British-led initiative to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023. A girl living in Lebanon shadowed the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon for one day. The activity’s purpose was to encourage young girls to become leaders and advocates for change.

In April 2021, a workshop on women in armed forces was organized jointly by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Embassy. The Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon and the Canadian Ambassador for WPS both participated. In May 2021, in collaboration with the Canadian Foreign Service Institute (CFSI) and the National Commission of Lebanese Women, the Embassy organized a gender-based analysis plus training for key stakeholders and gender focal points in Lebanese public institutions.

On July 20, 2021, the Ambassador participated in a panel of the Beirut International Women Film Festival, with more than 500 people in attendance. The festival’s theme was "Women for Leadership," and the Ambassador’s intervention focused on Canada’s feminist foreign policy and touched on the importance of including women in peace processes. In September 2022, a group of local leaders were hosted by the Embassy in order to discuss challenges faced by women in Lebanon, and to determine how the Embassy can best support Lebanese women in their own efforts to challenge the status quo.

On November 2021, the Embassy organized a meeting on "Joint Actions for Advancing Gender Equality in Lebanese Governance: Elections and Reforms." The meeting was jointly hosted between the Gender Donor Group, chaired by the Government of Canada and the Gender Working Group, chaired by UN Women. The objective of the meeting was to increase synergies between CSOs, UN agencies, I/NGOS, and donors on issues of gender equality, and to have a strategic conversation about joint actions for advancing women’s political participation and gender mainstreaming in policies and reforms.

On November 3, 2021, the Ambassador reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to gender equality in a high-level dialogue bringing together the Government of Lebanon and the international community. The event, "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Multiple Crises Keep Stalling Progress for Women in Lebanon," was organized by UN Women, the World Bank and the European Union. On March 8, 2022, to mark International Women’s Day, the Embassy, in collaboration with UN Women and local artists, organized a panel on Lebanon’s personal status laws and their impact on women when it comes to marriage, divorce and parental rights. This panel was followed by representations of a similarly themed play entitled "Mafroukeh," which was also supported by the Embassy.

Challenges

Lebanon is characterized by a patriarchal system in which politics is dominated by traditional leaders and former militia leaders. Lebanese women continue to struggle with exceptionally low levels of representation in positions of leadership. Notably, parliamentarians turned down an opportunity to implement a gender quota in October 2021. When stakeholders, including government officials, seek to dismiss efforts to elevate women in society, a common justification prevails, relegating gender equality and women’s empowerment to the backburner: Lebanon is said to be facing too many crises (port explosion aftermath, political instability, economic collapse, etc.). Despite these challenges, Canada maintains its advocacy efforts, and Lebanon saw limited progress on May 15, 2022, when 8 women were elected to parliament, an increase of 33% compared to parliamentary results in 2018. Such progress cannot be attributed directly to Canadian advocacy, but Canada can take pride in moving the narrative in a positive direction, and ensuring the issue remains top of mind.

Previous challenges still apply:

Africa

14. South Sudan

Context

South Sudan is one of the world’s most fragile states and women and girls remain one of the most marginalized groups. Conflict continues to impact women and girls differently and disproportionately and their rights continue to be violated. Women are also consistently excluded from conflict prevention and peace activities. The South Sudanese government has a NAP on UNSCR 1325 (2015-2020), but its implementation capacity is limited. Given South Sudan’s extreme fragility, the political and security environment presents numerous challenges for programming and diplomatic engagement related to the WPS agenda.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in South Sudan is focused on meeting the basic needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and girls. Empowering women and girls and reducing gender inequalities is also at the core of Canada’s development approach. Canada’s programming supports the delivery of gender-sensitive basic health services, including maternal, newborn and child health, with increasing attention to SRHR. In particular, Canada is working with local partner organizations to empower women and girls to make their own decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence, and to positively influence attitudes and social norms related to SRHR. Canada is also supporting efforts to improve food security by boosting food production, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening community resilience to hunger, including by working directly with women farmers to increase their participation in production and marketing activities. Canada regularly engages with the Government of South Sudan to advocate for the needs and rights of women and children affected by the conflict. This includes an emphasis on protecting women and girls from high levels of SGBV, including the use of rape as a weapon of war. Canada also monitors the human rights situation for women and girls and actively engages advocates for the meaningful inclusion of women leaders in the peace process.

Canada’s PSOPs programming is taking into account the different needs of girls, women, boys and men, as well as their opportunities to participate in decision-making in all peace and security efforts. PSOPs is supporting women’s decision-making and leadership in peacebuilding and the efforts aimed at addressing the underlying root causes of conflict and violence, particularly addressing unequal power relations and discrimination against women and girls.

Priority - Increase the support to local women’s rights organizations in South Sudan
Target 14.1

Canada increases targeted support to local women’s rights organizations and movements working to empower women and girls and advance GE. By 2022/23, 15 women’s rights organizations and movements are supported by the bilateral development program and through CFLI.

Target achieved as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Through 2021 to 2023, Canada supported 26 local women’s rights organizations and 3 networks, comprised of 30 women-led organizations (WLOs) working to empower women and girls and advance gender equality. These organizations were supported through the following initiatives:

Challenges

There is a high rate of need. Additional funds were added to the Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in South Sudan to ensure WLOs were adequately supported in evolving context.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements in South Sudan
Target 14.2

Canada increases advocacy on the WPS agenda in diplomatic engagement with South Sudan.

Target achieved as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2022/23, Canada significantly increased its WPS advocacy efforts in South Sudan, building new relationships with local women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, civil society, and media workers. This built on fairly modest activities from FY 2021/22. Currently, Canada is on track to maintain or increase its current momentum on WPS advocacy in South Sudan for FY 2023/24, which will continue into the final stretch of months ahead of South Sudan’s first-ever elections in December 2024. These months ahead present a massive opportunity, but also significant challenges, in terms of implementing UNSCR 1325 in South Sudan—much of whose population (depending on the minimum age of voting, once announced) will be going to the polls and exercising their democratic right for the first time in their lives.

Through the latter half of FY 2022/23, when Canada increased its WPS activities in South Sudan, a special emphasis was placed on engaging directly with local women and youth peacebuilders. This was done with the goal of soliciting their candid views about how Canada, as a member of the international community, can best support the WPS agenda in South Sudan. In the face of shrinking funding sources and growing needs, Canada explored new funding and advocacy tools to advance the WPS agenda in South Sudan. For example, by leveraging public diplomacy funds to support local women artists and poets, using various mediums to heal from intergenerational trauma and call for peace.

Canada has faced several challenges in implementing CNAP-2 objectives in South Sudan, both external and internal. South Sudan is the world’s newest country, and is attempting to build its institutions from scratch, while grappling with massive needs (80% of the population relies on humanitarian assistance). Severe limitations on freedom of expression, movement, and assembly; deeply entrenched patriarchal norms; and an estimated 8% literacy rate for adult women; also limit women’s ability to enjoy the full scope of their human rights, and contribute to/benefit from peacebuilding efforts. Many of these factors contribute to South Sudan’s ranking of #165 (out of 170) on the Georgetown WPS Index (2021/22 figures). The WPS needs are great in South Sudan, and Canada occupies a privileged space, as both a trusted partner of the transitional government and local peacebuilders alike. Canada is therefore well positioned, including under the auspices of the Feminist International Assistance Policy and Feminist Foreign Policy, to play a more active role in the WPS space in South Sudan. However, a lack of resourcing has inhibited Canada’s ability to do this, including in pressing areas like ending conflict-related sexual violence, supporting women peacebuilders, or advocating on gender-related commitments under South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in South Sudan
Target 14.3

Canada, through PSOPs, demonstrates support for women increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in South Sudan by ensuring that WPS principles and gender perspectives are integrated into 100% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2022/23, all area-based programs supported by consortiums funded by the South Sudan Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience (RSRTF) strengthened the integration of gender and youth-focused interventions. In the 2022 annual RSRTF report, the fund reported that women and youth were increasingly recognized as key program actors capable of convincing armed youth to desist from raids, abductions, and GBV.

The Sant’Egidio-led Rome Initiative aimed to foster an inclusive dialogue between the government of South Sudan and non-signatories’ groups to the peace agreement to achieve sustainable peace in South Sudan. In March 2023, following sustained encouragement from San’Egidio, for the first time, the non-signatories included a woman delegate to participate in the formal Rome Initiative mediation talks. Similarly, the South Sudanese Government delegation also increased its number of women delegates.

During FY 2021/22 with an increase of $2.5 million (total project value $5 million) contribution to the (RSRTF), PSOPs supported programming that resulted in a signed commitment to establish a women’s caucus to advocate for the inclusion and active participation of women in the constitution-making process. In addition, a South Sudan Women’s Leadership Forum was established. The forum serves as a platform for women leaders from across grassroots, sub-national and national levels to engage in dialogue and build a common strategy to address factors hindering women’s leadership in South Sudan.

Support to UN Women contributed to:

Challenges

The slow pace of advancing on milestones set out in the R-ARCSS during the extended implementation period continued to foster frustration among stakeholders and stagnated WPS programming targets set for several PSOPs projects.

Human interest story

Below is the story of Angelina Nyachar:

After attending UN Women-led training sessions on leadership and gender equality, Angelina Nyachar was unanimously selected to serve as the President of the Women Mediator’s Network in Rubkona County. Through the Women Mediator’s Network, she was appointed as the woman representative designated to represent her county to attend the quarterly Governance Forum (organized by the Governor of the county).Angelina, married and a mother to seven children, was the first-ever woman to participate in such male dominated forums, and openly advance GBV issues in her community through awareness raising and information sharing on how to access relevant GBV information. Since her appointment as her county’s women representative to the Governor’s Forum, she has been advocating for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding initiatives, both at the community and state level. The confidence that she gained by being a member of the Women Mediator’s Network enabled her to fight against GBV and become instrumental in addressing at least 32 cases of GBV in her community.

Below is the story of Maria Nyakoi:

Transformational change in South Sudan was not achieved with ease, but through advocacy, lobbying, and engaging in accountable practices. These efforts enabled the possibility of women’s participation in leadership positions.

Equipped with knowledge gained during the project, Maria Nyakoi, a member of the Women Mediator’s Network, shared that she successfully managed to intervene, negotiate, and diffuse a heated incident between two disputing armed men in her neighbourhood.

She went on to say that “peace and security cannot be achieved through fighting, but through mediation and negotiation.” Maria now serves as a parliamentarian in State Parliament and has observed that she has been able to advocate for equal rights for both women and men in society as well as spearheading the fight against all forms of GBV by sponsoring anti-GBV bills in the Assembly; “GBV-related incidents such as rapes have decreased, and this is attributed to UN Women supported interventions.”

15. Burundi

Context

In April 2015, President Nkurunziza of Burundi announced that he would be running for a third term in the election planned later that year. Burundian authorities engaged in systematic and brutal repression of any form of dissent to President Nkurunziza’s decision, and this crackdown intensified following the May 2015 coup attempt. Large segments of Burundi’s population, the political opposition, and many members of the international community deemed his decision unconstitutional and in contravention of the 2000 Arusha Agreement. According to reports from the UN, local and international NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the violence orchestrated by President Nkurunziza’s regime has targeted many groups and individuals perceived as opponents of the regime. Women and girls have been the target of SGBV, notably rape, principally from the Imbonerakure youth militia.

As Canada does not have a physical diplomatic presence in Burundi, visits to the country and information-gathering from bilateral and multilateral partners on the political and humanitarian situation are a significant part of how Canada scopes out opportunities for diplomatic or programmatic action and advocacy on Burundi. Therefore, in order to ensure that the needs, interests and challenges of Burundian women and girls are taken into consideration in the development of Canada’s plans and actions in Burundi, Canadian officials reporting on Burundi will ensure that their conflict analysis integrates gender perspectives and gender-based concerns, specifically those related to women and girls.

Priority - Increase Canada’s knowledge of issues pertaining to women and girls in the context of the conflict in Burundi
Target 15.1

Canada increases its understanding of the differential impact of the conflict on Burundian women, men, boys and girls. At least half (50% per FY) of reports and analytical products, produced by the mission in Kigali and/or Global Affairs Canada headquarters, relating to the situation in Burundi, will integrate and/or address gender-based perspectives.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

As described in previous annual CNAP reports and throughout the life span of CNAP-2, Kigali, as a micro-mission, has faced significant resource challenges towards meaningful implementation of the 15.1 target as originally stated. Kigali not located in the target country and Canada’s ability to influence Burundi, including on gender issues, is limited.

Canada’s engagement on gender issues in the context of development aid and humanitarian support is also limited, and mostly performed remotely through headquarters, due to the nature of mechanisms used (e.g., absence of a bilateral development program), and limited mission capacity. For the reasons outlined above, the target cannot be reported as achieved.

16. Democratic Republic of Congo

Context

Canada provides humanitarian and development assistance to the DRC to address the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, including those affected by the country’s ongoing conflict and state fragility. Canada’s development assistance aims to improve the health of women and children, advance their rights, increase their political, economic and social empowerment, and support democratic governance and peaceful pluralism. Canada’s programming in the DRC includes efforts to combat SGBV at the national and regional levels, with a focus on provinces affected by conflict in the Eastern region. Programming is aligned with the DRC’s National Strategy to Combat GBV (2009). Through projects and policy dialogue, Canada advocates for the rights of women and girls, women’s empowerment and the end to impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based crimes and promotes social behavioural change. Projects provide health, psychosocial and legal services and assistance to survivors of SGBV, strengthen key national institutions, and support local women’s organization to advance gender equality and women’s rights. More broadly, Canada engages in policy dialogue with the DRC government, the donor community and other stakeholders on a broad range of issues related to women’s rights and participation in society, including the fight against SGBV. This includes advocating for greater commitment by the DRC government on the prevention of SGBV and the fight against impunity, improving donor collaboration, promoting coherent efforts and approaches, and increasing protection measures for women and girls affected by the country’s regional conflicts.

Priority - Increase the number of leaders committed to and engaged in the fight against all forms of sexual and GBV in the DRC
Target 16.1

Canada engages with key DRC stakeholders in the prevention and behavioural change efforts in order to strengthen their commitment to address the root causes of SGBV.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Due to the support and guidance of the project to combat GBV Justice, Empowerment and Dignity (JAD) for Women and Girls in the DRC (UNDP, $18 million, 2018 to 2023), 15 women’s associations have initiated actions on GBV and succeeded in obtaining the commitment of military and police authorities to combat sexual harassment and violence against young girls. A number of 258 community mechanisms against SGBV have been set up and are operational as of March 2023, compared with 110 in FY 2021/22. The target (184) has been exceeded. The WVLF project, implemented by The Carter Center (GE03, $8.7 million, 2018-2024) strengthens local women’s rights organizations and provides them with direct funding for initiatives to promote women’s rights in the DRC. Under the project, 17 women’s rights organizations received funding contributing to the achievement of at least 50% of their objectives. 75% of women’s rights organizations have increased their capacity to manage their programming sustainably, compared with 57% in FY 2021/22.

As of March 2023, during the Center for International Cooperation in Health and Development’s (CCISD) Access to Health Services in Kinshasa (ASSK) project ($20.3 million, 2018-2024), 701,247 people reached by SRH awareness messages, including the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls in urban areas, compared with 311,506 in FY 2021/22. Project targets have been comfortably exceeded. In FY 2021/22, given the COVID-19 context imposing restrictions, the Canadian Embassy in the DRC was unable to support awareness-raising activities involving the participation of a large number of people. Nevertheless, in strict compliance with barrier measures, it was able to take part in advocacy actions either in bilateral meetings or alongside other actors with common interests in women’s rights issues.

Challenges

The Government of the DRC has been slow to implement the concrete actions put forward in this political dialogue. However, it must be acknowledged that small-scale changes in the status of women and girls are being observed at national, provincial and local levels, thanks to the involvement of the country’s political and administrative authorities, among others. What’s more, much remains to be done to increase the coverage of care for survivors, given the country’s fragility in the face of conflict and sexual violence embedded in Congolese society. Much work remains to be done to increase the coverage of care for survivors, given the country’s fragility in the face of conflict and sexual violence embedded in Congolese society.

Priority - Increase the availability and use of health, psychosocial and protection services for survivors of SGBV in the DRC
Target 16.2

Canada supports the measures outlined in DRC’s National Strategy to Combat GBV (2009) to increase national leadership and coordination and make services available to survivors of SGBV.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Thanks in part to Canadian support for numerous projects to combat SGBV, in December 2022, a law was enacted laying down the fundamental principles for the protection and reparation of victims of sexual violence and crimes against peace and humanity. Furthermore, in March 2023, a decree was signed for the creation, organization and operation of Integrated Multisectoral Services Centers (CISM) for the care of survivors of gender-based violence. This represents two major advances in national measures to combat GBV in the DRC, in addition to the gain in exemption from legal fees.

MONUSCO is one of the main beneficiaries of Canadian financial support for UN peacekeeping missions, with a contribution that amounts to approximately USD $25 million for the FY 2022/23. Canada currently deploys 25 police officers in the DRC and eight members of the Canadian Armed Forces, all of whom are trained and deployed to combat, among other things, SGBV.

Canada has continued to play an active role in consolidating existing coordination mechanisms in the sector. The group of ambassadors known as "Feminist Friends" was set up and continues to advocate in support of women’s rights. On a technical and operational level, Canada continues to participate in the gender thematic group chaired by the national minister for gender, in the technical subgroup on sexual and gender-based violence, where it co-facilitates the group with the ministry, in the inter-donor gender group as an active member, and in the informal One + One group bringing together the UN gender teams and the gender focal points of bilateral cooperation agencies. Canada continues to play an active role in consolidating existing coordination mechanisms in the sector. We are still active members of various coordination mechanisms, and we continue to co-facilitate with the Ministry the technical subgroup on sexual and gender-based violence. Under the Women’s Voice and Leadership project (The Carter Centre, $8.7 million, 2018 to 2024) 90% of supporting organizations reported that their program reached more individuals, beneficiaries and stakeholders than before the project, compared with 45% (9 out of 21) in FY 2021/22. The target (of 80%) has been reached.

As part of the Femmes de Courage - Femmes, paix et sécurité project implemented by United Church of Canada and their KAIROS initiative ($4 million, 2018 to 2023), in FY 2021/22, 163 campaigns for laws, legal reforms and law enforcement measures that concern women, peace and security were carried out. In FY 2022/23, training sessions with women, civil society organizations, local leaders and authorities on international and national legal instruments on the protection of women and children were attended by 116 participants. The project and its activities continue to contribute to achieving the authorities’ commitment targets in the fight against SGBV.

Challenges

Despite the existence of an appropriate framework for the fight against GBV in the country (legal texts-policies-strategy-technical services-office of the special advisor to the Head of State in charge of the fight against GBV, etc.), there is a gap in taking measures to apply all these measures, which should facilitate the fight against GBV. The elections scheduled for 2023 will represent a major challenge, as they could have a significant impact on the evolution of national policies on GBV and their application.

Priority - Support the empowerment of women and girls in preventing/addressing SGBV in the DRC
Target 16.3

Canada continues to advance a portfolio of projects to advance the rights of women and girls, women’s empowerment, and the implementation of the WPS agenda in DRC.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22, the CFLI awarded nine grants to projects submitted by local civil society organizations. These projects contributed to Canada’s international aid priorities, with a particular focus on programs that advance democracy, protect and promote human rights, and ensure security and stability. The program also helped provide humanitarian aid following the eruption of the Nyiragongo Volcano in May 2022 in the town of Goma in North Kivu, which caused major damage to the surrounding population. In FY 2022/23, CFLI was able to award 8 grants to projects submitted by local civil society organizations, for a total value of $320,000. Thanks to the support and guidance of the project to combat GBV Justice, Empowerment and Dignity (JAD) for Women and Girls in the DRC (UNDP, $18.0 million, 2018 to 2023), 15 women’s associations have initiated actions on GBV and succeeded in securing the commitment of military and police authorities to combat sexual harassment and violence against young girls. A number of 258 community mechanisms against SGBV have been set up and are operational as of March 2023, compared with 110 in FY 2021/22.

The Carter Center’s Voix et leadership des femmes project (GE03, $8.7 million, 2018 to 2024) strengthens local women’s rights organizations and provides them with direct funding for initiatives to promote women’s rights in the DRC. Under the project, 17 women’s rights organizations have received funding contributing to the achievement of at least 50% of their objectives. 75% of women’s rights organizations have increased their capacity to manage their programming sustainably, compared with 57% in FY 2021/22. A new GE03 project has been planned for late 2022 and will be implemented: The Culture du Haricot et Empouvoirement des Femmes project aims to strengthen gender equality, participation in decision-making and resource rights for women and girls active in the bean sector in three conflict-prone provinces of eastern DRC.

ChallengesDue to a number of challenges, some project activities have fallen behind schedule. These challenges include political problems (conflicts between traditional chiefs and politicians) in the provinces where the projects are taking place, the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma in May 2022 (with population movements impacting the implementation of certain project activities), and the COVID-19 pandemic.

17. Mali

Context

Since 2012, Mali has been facing profound governance, development and security challenges. Instability is persistent and is progressing, while the security context is becoming more complex. While Mali’s fragility is more noticeable in the north and increasingly so in the centre of the country, the country as a whole is still in a very precarious situation. In the north and centre, humanitarian and development organizations’ access to civilian populations remains a challenge. The government and most armed groups in the north signed a Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in June 2015, but there has been a slow and uneven implementation of the accord and increasing attacks by terrorist groups. Despite the presence of the French CT force, and a large UN peacekeeping mission, the country continues to face serious threats to its stability and security. Traditionally, women in Mali have been active behind the scenes in resolving conflict in their communities. However, very few women and women’s groups have participated in peacebuilding activities and fewer still have been actively involved in the formal peace process in Mali.

In FY 2018/19, Mali was the second-largest recipient of Canadian international assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa. Canada is engaged in policy dialogue with the Government of Mali, the donor community and other stakeholders on a broad range of issues related to women’s rights and participation in society, and Canadian development assistance is intended to help the country build a brighter future for its people by concentrating on access to sexual and reproductive health care services; nutrition; improving the quality of education and vocational training; increasing agricultural productivity; and better governance and accountability. This also includes support to Mali’s transitional justice and national reconciliation process. Canada is an active member of the donor coordination groups in Mali and maintains an ongoing and open dialogue with Malian authorities. Canada is also co-leading the GE donor coordination group and uses this platform to promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls. Canada also uses other platforms and networks (e.g., International Women’s Day, VIP visits, sector committees and working groups, the Francophonie) to show its support for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Mali and the implementation of the Mali national gender plan, which was developed with Canada’s assistance.

Priority - Support the increased and meaningful participation of women in reconciliation and conflict prevention and enhance women’s access to justice in Mali
Target 17.1

17.1.1 Increased access for women and girls to justice services and legal representation for the promotion and protection of their human rights.

17.1.2 Increased participation of women, youth and others affected by the crisis, to reconciliation and conflict prevention.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed – 17.1.1, 17.1.2/Objective 3 and 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On Track – 17.1.1, 17.1.2/Objective 3 and 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The chronic under-funding of the justice sector by the Malian state, combined with growing instability and insecurity, has been leading to difficulties in accessing and equitably distributing legal services. The National Human Rights Commission has identified five obstacles to access to justice: geographical accessibility, slowness of procedures, limited access to the law (which is not translated into local languages or popularized), limited the number of lawyers, corruption. Because of their economic and social position, these difficulties of access to justice weigh more heavily on women. The weight of tradition and customary law, the non-recognition of certain forms of gender-based violence in the penal code, and the absence of legislative and regulatory protection measures for sexual crimes and offences, dissuade the vast majority of women from seeking justice. Canada’s projects in the area of inclusive governance are nevertheless helping to reduce obstacles to access to justice, particularly for women, and to ensure that their needs are taken into account in transitional justice mechanisms. Nevertheless, the current political context limits Canada’s ability to directly support the State in strengthening the justice system.

In FY 2021/22, Canada supported eight Malian civil society organizations in their legal interventions to protect the fundamental rights of people affected by the conflict, particularly women. This resulted in considerable progress in the cases of victims of human trafficking and sexual slavery, and enabled women to speak out about the violence they had suffered.

Canada, through the Justice et Paix au Mali project, has continued to support the CVJR closely, in particular by supporting the holding of the 4th public hearing, by collecting testimonies from victims, particularly women, by contributing to the drafting of its final report (with a view to the end of its mandate in December 2022), by participating in the reflection on the bodies that will succeed it, and by making recommendations to the State for the drafting of the Law on Reparations Policy for Victims. The work of the CVJR contributes to the process of reconciliation in Mali by enabling people to speak out and acknowledge the harm they have suffered.

As of March 31, 2023, Canada has helped Malian civil society organizations provide legal assistance to protect and respect the rights of people affected by the crisis in Mali, including women and minors. For example, the Justice et Paix au Mali (JuPax) project enabled Avocats sans frontières Canada to support 12 emblematic cases of human rights violations before the courts in Mali and international bodies. ASFC also provided technical support to the CVJR (Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission) in the drafting of their final report presented to the Malian authorities, notably for the chapters on establishing the facts of serious human rights violations, and on the impact of conflict on women. ASFC also produced a documentary on the consequences of armed conflict in Mali, the importance of transitional justice in sustainable peace processes, and the place of women and girls in these reconciliation and reparation processes.

Canada has also supported various mechanisms for reconciliation and conflict prevention at community and national levels that include women and young people affected by the conflict. In FY 2022/23, through the project Réparer les vivants et leur résilience (ReVivre), implemented by the Trust Fund for Victims, Canada supported the establishment of six victims’ memorial committees in which community dialogue is encouraged to discuss the impacts of conflict and approaches to reconciliation and transitional justice. Sub-committees of women and girls have been established to facilitate the expression of their views and to ensure that their needs are integrated into reparations mechanisms. Women expressed their satisfaction at having a space to express their feelings about the destruction in Timbuktu, and at being able to be involved in setting up sustainable economic activities for the benefit of the whole community. With a view to promoting their participation in these community dialogues and ensuring that their proposals are taken into account, all 96 women on the women’s and girls’ sub-committees benefited from capacity building on women’s leadership.

Through the Justice et Paix au Mali (JuPax) project funded by Global Affairs Canada, 13 clinicians and facilitators from partner organizations and 20 change agents, including 26 women, have benefited from training sessions on alternative conflict management, using an inclusive and transformative approach based on gender equality.

Through PSOPs, a project with Search for Common Ground, PSOPs supported capacity-building for youth and women in conflict transformation, leadership, positive and conflict-sensitive communication, management of misinformation and advocacy for peace and stability in their communities. Through a project with the Carter Center, PSOPs supported the delivery of 4 workshops and 7 trainings in communities of Mopti and Segou on conflict mitigation, dialogue, and gender inclusion.

Through a project with International Alert, PSOPs supported efforts to improve resource governance and restore social cohesion in the Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, Sikasso and Tombouctou regions. Youth and women living in target communities were better integrated into natural resource governance structures and into the dynamics of building trust, peace and social cohesion in their communities.

Challenges

Specific CNAP indicators have not been integrated into the performance measurement frameworks of projects contributing to Action Plan objectives. This makes it difficult to obtain accurate and comprehensive data on many of the Action Plan’s indicators. PSOPs continued to make progress towards targets in Mali in FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, despite challenges associated to the high level of political instability and insecurity, the threats of violence from armed groups, traditionally discriminatory gender roles, and the routine exclusion of women and youth from decision-making processes.

Priority - Advance WPS in Canadian diplomatic engagements in Mali
Target 17.2

Increased advocacy and engagement with interlocutors, including government officials, on Canada’s WPS position and priorities on WPS in Mali.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FYs 2021/23, Canada led ongoing advocacy to promote the Government of Mali’s commitment to gender equality, notably as co-chair of the Groupe thématique genre et autonomisation de la femme, which is the technical and financial partners’ coordination group on gender equality. Policy dialogue was supported by actions to strengthen the work of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family (MPFEF), and the Gender Commission of the National Transitional Council, notably by improving the way in which gender is taken into account in the allocation of State resources, and by producing the gender report appended to the 2022 Finance Law. In terms of civil society, Canada’s support in strengthening the advocacy of the Réseau des femmes leaders du Mali has led to the appointment of gender advisors in all ministries.

Specific results for FY 2022/23 include the following: Through its operational projects in the inclusive governance sector, the Mali development program provides ongoing support for various advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives in favour of women’s participation in peace processes, the defence of rights, the fight against impunity and corruption, and gender-based violence. Canada is a co-founder and member of the Friends 1325 group, which aims to advance the women, peace and security agenda in Mali.

Through the Promoting Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls (Spotlight+) project, with UNFPA (FY 2019/20 to FY 2023/24) Canada continues to support CSOs, and MPFEF engaged in the fight against SGBV to implement more context-specific communication approaches to better explain the concept of GBV to enable opposing organizations to adhere to the principles of defending the rights of survivors.

The WVL Musoya Mali project (FY 2018/19 to FY 2023/24), directly supports 25 partners (19 Organisations locales de défense des droits des femmes et des filles (OLDDF/F) and 6 Plateformes, alliances et réseaux (PAR)) with over 3,000 members. Canada’s support has enabled 6 platforms, alliances and networks of women and girls to increase their level of influence on policies/land laws/legal institutions (notably in cases of GBV and to facilitate access to health facilities for people with disabilities).

In FY 2021/22, Canada continued to share with Malian authorities and other donors its perspectives on opportunities and challenges concerning the protection of women and girls and women’s representation in the security sector (as part of reconciliation processes), female genital mutilation, SGBV, peacebuilding activities (including economic empowerment) and other WPS issues.

Through several projects supported by Canada, hundreds of thousands of Malians have been made aware of GBV and SRH in recent years, including the Yellen project: Rights and innovations in sexual and reproductive rights, implemented by CHUM-USI and CECI, which organized awareness-raising sessions in public high schools in the Kayes region of Mali, reaching 7,294 young students.

In FY 2022/23, SGBV was being used as a weapon of war in Mali, as women are subjected to rape, sexual slavery and other forms of abuse, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment by belligerents. These practices are an obstacle to peace, security and sustainable development in Mali. Canada is funding a portfolio of eight projects in Mali that aim to reduce the prevalence of SGBV by conducting extensive advocacy efforts with communities, including local religious and customary authorities, and the Malian government to raise awareness of the harmful effects of SGBV, particularly those committed against women, adolescents and girls. Several of the awareness-raising activities were held as part of the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign against GBV.

Canada is also funding Mary Stopes International, in a consortium with Radios Rurales Internationales and WILDAF, a feminist civil society organization in Mali, to implement the Hèrè: Bien-être des femmes au Mali project ($20.2 million 2021 to 2026). Through this project, the partner launched the "Dambé Muso" awareness campaign aimed at strengthening young girls’ pride, self-esteem and right to make healthy and wise choices for their lives. In FY 2022/23, 312 radio programs on the theme of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and GBV were broadcast, reaching over a million people. Canada also supports the holistic care of SGBV victims, particularly in regions affected by insecurity and conflict, by supporting One Stop Centers. These units are staffed by specialists who provide a medical and legal response, as well as socio-economic and psychosocial reintegration.

Challenges

Specific CNAP indicators have not been integrated into the performance measurement frameworks of projects contributing to Action Plan objectives. This makes it difficult to obtain accurate and comprehensive data on many of the Action Plan’s indicators.

Priority - Support women’s political, social and economic empowerment in Mali
Target 17.3

Canada’s development initiatives promote the empowerment of women and girls, including increasing women’s political, social and economic empowerment.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22, in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, Mali’s development program continued to play a leading role in advancing GA, empowering women and girls and promoting their rights in Mali. By FY 2021/22, 100% of bilateral development aid to Mali will take account of GE. Out of 30 projects operational and nearing completion, nine projects targeted GE as the main outcome (GE03), seventeen projects fully integrated GE (GE02) and four projects partially integrated GE (GE01). In FY 2022/23, 100% of bilateral development aid to Mali also took gender equality into account. Out of 27 projects operational and nearing completion, nine projects targeted GE as the main outcome (GE03), 17 projects fully integrated GE (GE02) and four projects partially integrated GE (GE01). All of these projects aim to bring about changes in behaviour and practices in favour of GE, such as empowering women economically, increasing their decision-making power and political participation, defending their rights and facilitating their access to justice and basic social services. Through these initiatives, Canada has continued to contribute to the improvement of inclusive and transparent governance, and to promote more effective involvement of women’s and girls’ rights organizations.

Overall, the development program’s projects contribute to funding whose fundamental objectives are linked to women’s rights, economic empowerment, leadership, access to essential services such as education and health, and control over resources. These projects also contribute to indirectly strengthening the capacities of key government ministries to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations, and by providing vital support to civil society and human rights organizations. All projects aim to bring about changes in behaviour and practices that contribute to gender equality.

This represents an improvement in recent years. In FY 2019/20, out of 23 operational projects, 6 projects targeted GA as the main outcome (GE03), 14 projects were fully integrated (GE02) and 3 projects were partially integrated (GE01).

In Mali, Canada is a recognized and long-standing partner in empowering women and girls, including by enabling greater political, social and economic empowerment of women. Through the Projet de services d’appui sur le terrain (PSAT), Canada supports the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family to increase their operational capacities. Through the PSAT, Canada also supported women’s participation in the Assises nationales de la refondation, held in December 2021. The bilateral development program in Mali continued in FY 2021/22 to implement a portfolio of 30 projects with core objectives related to women’s rights, leadership and control of resources, and through trusted partners with Canadian and international development organizations, to build capacity in key government ministries and support for civil society. The development program makes deliberate choices to fund projects that have GE as a primary outcome or that fully integrate it, valuing project proposals received that are assessed as fitting this definition and/or working with partners to bring proposals that do not meet these principles up to this level of integration.

Canada maintains a dynamic policy dialogue to ensure that gender is better taken into account in Mali’s programs and policies. For example, Canada is supporting the review and updating of the MPFEF’s Ten-Year Plan for the Empowerment of Women, Children and the Family, with a view to its adoption by the Council of Ministers in the near future, which will enable it to become operational.

Challenges

Specific CNAP indicators have not been integrated into the performance measurement frameworks of projects contributing to Action Plan objectives. This makes it difficult to obtain accurate and comprehensive data on many of the Action Plan’s indicators.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Mali

Target 17.4

Canada, through its PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Mali by ensuring that WPS principles and/or gender perspectives are integrated in 80% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22 and 2022/23, PSOPs continued to support MINUSMA as the monitoring mechanism of the peace agreements in Mali, with an emphasis on reinforcing the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. Key outcomes include the following:

Through a project with Search for Common Ground, PSOPs supported capacity-building for youth and women in conflict transformation, leadership, positive and conflict-sensitive communication, management of misinformation and advocacy for peace and stability in their communities. In August 2022, the initiative launched the early warning platform, Alerte Mali, and organized a series of training for 386 peace ambassadors in all project intervention areas, including 105 women and 281 men.

Through a project with Interpeace, 2,690 people (32% women) were consulted during dialogue sessions, workshops, and meetings on how to reduce tensions in communities, especially those affecting women, as well as conflict prevention in the Gao, Timbuktu, and Mopti regions. Subsequently, 14 community peace initiatives were implemented in the communities by 54 women. Through a project with International Alert, 42 interactive radio programs were broadcasted to an audience of 28,000 people across 14 municipalities. The radio programs discussed the ways in which climate change has exacerbated conflict related to natural resource management.

Through a project with the Danish Refugee Council, PSOPs supported capacity building to a pool of regional female experts made up of 30 women from women’s organizations, to support their active participation in the security sector governance as major players in the peacebuilding process in the Sahel.

Challenges

The deteriorating security and political context in Mali continued to pose operational challenges for PSOPs programming in FY 2021/22 and 2022/23. Compounding factors which contributed to the worsening operational context included the stalled implementation of key elements of the Algiers Accord; intensification of threats and violence from armed groups; widespread human rights violations; presence of the Wagner Group; travel movement restrictions; and the exclusion of women and youth from decision-making spaces and processes (a result of traditionally discriminatory gender roles).

Human interest story

This is the story of Kadia, a 25-year-old journalist in Bamako, Mali:

“I realized that we journalists were destroying our country without knowing it. When we communicate about the conflict by widening the gap between communities, we divide the whole country," says Kadia. This awareness is recent. Thanks to the “Tabale Kunkan” project, implemented by Search for Common Ground, Kadia received training in conflict-sensitive journalism and fact-checking. "We weren't used to dealing with conflict. So, when it happened, no one alerted us to how we reported the news. It was as if we were going forward blindfolded. The training helped lift the blindfold so we could see clearly."

As a result, what Kadia chooses to keep quiet now matters as much as what she communicates. "To write that the attackers would be from this or that community is already affirming it. People trust us. We have to be careful what we put in their heads. Here, respecting anonymity can also save the lives of the people providing the information. It is increasingly difficult to get sources in the centre and north. There have been times journalists mentioned their names in their articles, and they have been killed in retaliation."

Fortunately, the training has also allowed Kadia to expand her network of reliable sources, and she continues to increase the reach of her stories, this time aimed at bridging divides. "I feel like I can now make a difference. Journalists are key players who also have the power to build."

Latin America and the Caribbean

18. Guatemala

Context

In 2016, Guatemala commemorated the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords formally ending a 36-year internal armed conflict that left over 200,000 people dead and over one million people displaced, the majority of whom were Mayan Indigenous Peoples. Unfortunately, many of the underlying causes of the armed conflict are yet to be resolved. Achieving GE and the full exercise of women’s and girls’ rights remain a significant challenge in Guatemala’s society that is largely dominated by men. Discrimination and racism particularly affect Indigenous women and girls. Violence against women is widespread: Guatemala has the third-highest rate of femicide in the world. The promotion, protection and respect for the rights of women and girls are at the centre of Canada’s development programming in Guatemala. Canada seeks to strengthen:

Canada will develop specific GE initiatives to meet its objectives on advancing the rights of women and girls in Guatemala and will also ensure a high level of GE integration in all projects. Canada will use all programming channels and diplomatic tools available to advance this work including policy dialogue with Guatemalan state officials, civil society, especially women's organizations, and with the international donor community.

Priority - Support a gender-responsive approach to transitional justice, reconciliation and security sector reform in Guatemala
Target 18.1

Canada improves institutional capacity for gender-sensitive criminal investigations in Guatemala.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Over the lifetime of the plan, eight projects delivered substantial results to strengthen women and girls’ access to justice. Six projects were planned in the baseline. Over five years, a total of 2597 justice actors (1436 women, 1160 men and 1 other gender identity) have improved their capacity to deliver gender-sensitive justice in compliance with international human rights standards. Through survey mechanisms, justice actors confirm they are applying new knowledge.

Precedent setting sentences and investigation advances/decisions have been achieved in numerous legal cases: Indigenous girls sexually abused by their teachers, Indigenous girl abused by a motor taxi driver, disabled women sexually abused and denied a therapeutic abortion, Indigenous midwives with sentences to address discrimination, Indigenous weavers with sentences to address intellectual property rights among others. Canadian Embassy staff in Guatemala have strengthened GBA Plus and sexual harassment and violence prevention knowledge.

During FY 2021/22 Women’s Rights and Gender Sensitive Justice project: Provided training to 267 justice actors (146 women and 121 men). Two legal precedent setting judicial sentences were achieved in Guatemala in cases of sexual violence against Indigenous girls by teachers in the public education system. One perpetrator received a sentence of 27 years and 8 months in jail and the other was condemned to 38 years and 4 months in jail. During FY 2022/23, 267 trained justice actors (146 women and 121 men) completed surveys one year after the diploma course was completed and 96% confirmed they are applying new knowledge. A third legal case of sexual violence against Indigenous girls by teachers in the public education system went to trial. An Indigenous girl won her case against a motor taxi driver who sexually abused her in what has become a common risk for young women using this service. The UN Committee on Disabled Persons accepted in December 2023 a case of sexual abuse where the survivor, a disabled woman, was denied a therapeutic abortion, putting her life at risk. Recommendations to the Guatemalan state are forthcoming. An external evaluation of the project concluded.

Through the Strengthening the Rights of Indigenous and other Discriminated Women in Guatemala projects, Canada provided training to 101 (67 women and 34 men) Magistrates, Judges, and Prosecutors on international human rights standards. Through the Human Rights Protection Fund Guatemala, Canada provided training to 23 justice actors (12 women, 10 men and 1 other gender identity). Four strategic litigation cases advanced in favour of criminalized Human Rights Defenders.

An independent evaluation of the now closed project Strengthening Criminal Investigations and Evidence Sharing in Central America ($4 million, 2017 to 2021) concluded that the implementing partner Justice Education Society (JES) "has positioned itself as a regional leader in matters of criminal investigation and strengthening of justice institutions. Representatives from all the agencies involved in the investigation of complex cases have clearly manifested the relevant contribution that JES and Canada have had in strengthening criminal justice capacity in Central America." It also concluded that, "JES has undoubtedly contributed to the management of complex criminal cases, by working through close relationships with investigators and prosecutors who have contributed to the reduction of impunity rates in the region, delivering more efficient justice for victims and their families.’’

Challenges

Externally, the COVID-19 pandemic made traditional program delivery difficult for partner organizations during several years of the CNAP-2 lifespan. Declining judicial independence since 2019 is affecting relationships with justice actors. Internally, the Embassy team operated at reduced capacity during most of the pandemic due to the departure of several Canada-Based Staff in the context of the COVID-19 evacuations. This combined with travel and meeting restrictions made it difficult to conduct regular activities during part of the CNAP-2 lifespan.

Target 18.2

Canada increases women’s and girls’ access to justice and use of justice support services, particularly in cases related to SGBV.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2022/23 Women’s Rights and Gender Sensitive Justice project:

Strengthening the Rights of Indigenous and other Discriminated Women in Guatemala project: 308 Indigenous weavers and Indigenous midwives received legal support in FY 2022/23 and 386 in FY 2021/22.

Human Rights Protection Fund Guatemala:

During FY 2021/22 Women Leading Change (Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador), 89 women received psychosocial and legal support in Guatemala. Through the Women’s Voice and Leadership, 134 Indigenous women received psychological and legal services.

The Canadian Embassy has used a variety of advocacy tools to raise awareness about the rights of women and girls and especially Indigenous women and girls to access justice in a post-conflict society in FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23. These include:

Over the lifespan of CNAP-2:

Challenges

COVID-19 made traditional service delivery much more difficult for partner organizations but opened access to virtual delivery including legal and psychological support by phone. Increased attacks against women human rights defenders are boosting the need for services.

Priority - Promote respect for women’s and girls’ human rights in Guatemala
Target 18.3

Canada increases the knowledge and exercise of women’s and girls’ human rights, including SRHR.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed /Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022.

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During the Women’s Rights and Gender Sensitive Justice project FY 2022/23, 2026 people (1321 women and 705 men) improved knowledge about SGBV and exercised their rights. Communication campaigns on SGBV reached more than 92,000 people. FY 2021/22, 583 people (309 women and 274 men) improved knowledge about SGBV and applied their rights. Communication campaigns on SGBV reached more than 485,000 people. On October 26, 2022, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted the General Recommendation No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls. This effort was proposed and led by Indigenous women and girls in Guatemala organized in a collective known as Ixpop, financed by Canada, and supported by Indigenous women’s expressions from around the world.

Through the Strengthening the Rights of Indigenous and other Discriminated Women in Guatemala projects in FY 2022/23, 308 women participated in strategic litigation processes and 104 women received training on international human rights norms and standards. In FY 2021/22, 386 women participated in strategic litigation processes and 133 women have received training on international human rights norms and standards.

Through the WVL project ($2 million, 2019 to 2023) in FY 2021/22, 20 Indigenous women’s organizations representing approximately 2,400 participants are addressing racism and discrimination. FY 2022/23: 26 Indigenous women’s organizations addressed issues of racism and discrimination and 244 Indigenous women applied their rights. Inter-American projects Women Leading Change and Building Women’s Collective Power for Rights and Resources ($5 million, 2022 to 2027) as well as partnership project technical assistance support to SVET Guatemala ($146.1 thousand, FY 2022/23) began implementation.

Continued efforts were made to include increased training on gender-based analysis guide in the CFLI in FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, including by sharing the GBA Plus from the beginning. Beneficiaries reported better on differentiated results. CFLI Coordinators participated in gender equality training, to assist project beneficiaries with GBA Plus in their planning. In FY 2021/22, regular CFLI projects included the participation of 2,585 women and 21 girls that were mostly focused on inclusive economic growth and access to health without discrimination. Humanitarian projects responding to two hurricanes supported 8,200 Indigenous women, providing them with better health services (mainly medical attention related to COVID-19). In FY 2022/23, regular CFLI programming reached 906 women and 138 girls. Of them, 247 women and girls were participants in three CFLI projects focused on SGBV and SRHR.

Over the lifespan of CNAP-2:

Challenges

COVID-19 and climate shocks brought challenges for women and girls to actively participate in trainings and human rights actions due to mobility restrictions and economic hardships. Most partners found virtual options to support processes, but many also increased local participation by implementing socially distanced activities. Internally Embassy resources were stretched, and funding priorities focused primarily on addressing the COVID-19 crisis from 2020 to 2022 as well as humanitarian response to climate shocks.

19. Haiti

Context

Despite the absence of conflict, Haiti remains a fragile state marked by weak institutions, political volatility, control of the economy by a handful of private interests, and vulnerability to natural disasters and external shocks.

Addressing issues relating to women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s participation in decision-making spheres is a stark challenge within Haitian society. The promotion, protection and respect for the human rights of women and girls and for issues relating to WPS take on special importance in this context and will be an important part of Canada’s development programming in Haiti in each of its priority sectors. In this context, Canada will continue its efforts to strengthen:

As women and girls play a key role in their communities’ development, the programs’ and projects’ focus on those priorities (i.e., ongoing projects and planned projects that will be submitted for approval) will help to improve the economic, social and political well-being of women and girls so that they can fully play their role in the Haitian society. Canada will promote and support the empowerment of women in meaningful decision-making spheres and will develop specific initiatives for the promotion and protection of and respect for the rights of women and girls.

Canada will continue to foster sectoral initiatives in which gender equality will be strongly integrated and will also engage in a policy dialogue with the government of Haiti, Haitian civil society (especially women’s organizations), and the donor community, on the rights of women and girls, chiefly in the three priorities mentioned above. The Haitian state has a weak capacity to address SGBV, Canada thus supports initiatives that address SGBV issues and that encourage the presence of women in decision-making platforms relating to such issues. The achievement of objectives associated with these priorities depends in large part on the approval of projects currently in the planning stage. The following indicators, baselines and targets will be considered, and further indicators, baselines and targets will also be provided following consultations with civil society. Moreover, efforts will be undertaken to identify these indicators, baselines and targets and ensure their measurability.

Furthermore, Canada, through its PSOPs, will engage in efforts designed to strengthen Haiti’s public governance institutions in the security and justice sectors and proactively target violence prevention efforts to effectively enforce security and protect the human rights of its citizens. For example, PSOPs will support the engagement and participation of women/girls at all levels of decision-making; prevent violence against women and girls and promote women’s rights; provide gender-sensitive training; and give women and girls’ access to and control over resources.

Priority - Women’s socio-economic empowerment through economic and civic engagement of women in decision-making spheres
Target 19.1

19.1.1 Canada supports local women’s rights organizations and movements;

19.1.2 Canada helps to increase the number of women who engage in political life; and

19.1.3 19.1.3 Canada helps to promote and support the empowerment of women and girls, including by increasing women's political, social and economic empowerment.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/19.1.1, 19.1.2, 19.1.3/Objective 1 and 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/19.1.1, 19.1.2, 19.1.3/Objective 1 and 3.

Baseline

Activities

Indicator

Results and progress

The Women’s Voices and Leadership project ($8.3 million, 2018 to 2023) has supported 36 local women’s rights organizations in strengthening their governance and financial structures, in addition to improving their service provision to survivors of GBV. Over the past year, financial support has enabled the project to fund the acquisition of new office equipment and materials, communications technology, motorcycles and office space rental. This support has strengthened the organizations by improving their day-to-day management of operations, their sustainability and the delivery of better service to survivors of GBV.

Despite the extremely dangerous situation in Haiti, which has a major impact on women’s and girls’ rights, project activities such as training, awareness-raising workshops and outreach efforts by women’s organizations are helping to build community knowledge of women’s rights and gender equality. Over the period covered by this report, 12 organizations have demonstrated increased capacity in the area of governance, and 4 women’s networks have developed advocacy plans on various themes aimed at advancing women’s rights in Haiti.

As part of the Appui à une gouvernance locale et inclusive en Haïti project ($15.57 million; 2018 to 2024), 79 women civil society leaders were prepared to actively participate in consultations on reforms related to territorial governance. In 2022, the project enabled 18 women civil society leaders to participate actively in territorial consultation meetings on reforms linked to territorial governance. In addition, the project achieved its annual target of 31% women among civil society members participating in all planning phases.

Through its support for the project Adaptation climatique et valorisation économique des filières agricoles en Haïti ($13 million, 2019 to 2024), Canada has enabled greater integration of women into associative businesses, enabling their entrepreneurial development and managerial skills.

An increase in the number of women in agricultural cooperatives has also been noted over the past year. Women hold 29% of board positions in four cooperatives. In addition, 84 women took part in activities on economic empowerment and women’s participation in regeneration plans and agricultural activities. In 2022, the AVETI project enabled 969 women entrepreneurs/farmers and small farmers to access financial and/or business development services thanks to GAC funding.

Challenges

The project faced certain challenges in its third year of implementation, notably socio-political and security insecurity, as well as the earthquake in August 2021 in the South, which impacted on the progress of activities, particularly in the selection of partner networks for the implementation of advocacy activities. In response to the earthquake crisis, the project distributed 1,000 hygiene kits to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the project’s partner organizations.

Priority - Support women’s and girls’ access to health services, including for sexuality and reproduction, and education
Target 19.2

Support women’s and girls’ access to health services, including for sexuality and reproduction, and education.

19.2.1 Canada helps to build the capacity of health institutions to take care of women and girl survivors of sexual violence and exploitation.

19.2.2 Canada increases the level of knowledge on the part of women, girls and communities related to reproductive and sexual health and associated rights.

19.2.3 Canada contributes to increasing the net secondary enrolment rate for girls.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed – 19.2.1, 19.2.2, 19.2.3/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On Track – 19.2.1, 19.2.2, 19.2.3/Objective 3

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Despite socio-political insecurity and another year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti, progress was observed in the PRISMA II and Saj Fanm pou Fanm projects. The former has progressed to over 97.5% of the target level, despite insecurity on the roads, which led to a reduction in delivery services (3,352 institutional deliveries out of 3,416 targeted, up on the results for 2020/21 (2,572) and 2019/20 (3,228). For its part, the second project was able to mitigate risks through the pre-positioning of equipment in the regions to ensure continuity of care services. Thus, the number of institutional deliveries in the areas covered (Grande Anse, Sud-Est, Nippes and Nord-Ouest) by this project is 9,333 in the 26 emergency obstetric and neonatal care (SONU) units supported by the project. This decrease from last year is largely due to the residual effects of the pandemic, with women preferring to give birth at home for fear of COVID and concrete roofs due to the earthquake in August 2021.

As part of the Saj Fanm pour Fanm project, in FY 2021/22, a total of 14,416 girls and women have been made aware in underserved communities of their rights relating to the use of sexual and reproductive health services. This brings the total to 100,500 girls and women, or 75% of the end-of-project target.

Despite an intervention context made more complex due to the political and social situation in Haiti, including demonstrations and the early closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Améliorer l’accès des filles au secondaire en Haïti ($25 million, 2018 to 2024)" project has enabled significant advances in gender-sensitive quality education (ii) improving and adapting the school environment to the needs of girls/adolescents and (iii) strengthening the governance of the education system in relation to quality control and taking into account the specific needs of girls/adolescents. As a result, in FY 2021/22, due to these targeted interventions, nearly 1,294 schoolgirls (i.e., almost 70% of the project’s 75% target) have been admitted to Secondary I after passing the end of 9th grade exams.

Priority - Promote and protect the human rights of women and girls, their access to justice and security, and take special measures to protect them from SGBV
Target 19.3

19.3.1 Promote and safeguard the human rights of women and girls and take special measures to protect them from SGBV;

19.3.2 Canada supports Haitian institutions and civil society to address SGBV issues; and

19.3.3 Canada supports the improvement of the legal framework for women, particularly with regard to the protection of women, girls and boys from SGBV.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed – 19.3.1, 19.3.2, 19.3.3/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On Track – 19.3.1, 19.3.2, 19.3.3/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The WVL project ($8.3 million, 2018 to 2023) has supported 36 local women’s rights organizations in strengthening their governance and financial structures, in addition to improving their service provision to survivors of GBV. Over the past year, financial support has enabled the project to fund the acquisition of new office equipment and materials, communications technology, motorcycles and office space rental. This support has strengthened the organizations by improving their day-to-day management of operations, their sustainability and the delivery of better service to survivors of GBV.

Despite the extremely dangerous situation in Haiti, which has a major impact on women’s and girls’ rights, project activities such as training, awareness-raising workshops and the outreach efforts of women’s organizations are helping to build community knowledge of women’s rights and gender equality.

Over the period covered by this report, 12 organizations have demonstrated increased capacity in the area of governance, and 4 women’s networks have developed advocacy plans on various themes aimed at advancing women’s rights in Haiti.

Supported by Canada, the Access to Justice and the Fight against Impunity in Haiti (AJULIH) project ($21.4 million, 2017 to 2024) combated impunity for violence against women and girls by helping to improve the judicial handling of cases of gender-based violence. Supporting the Office de la Protection du Citoyen (OPC), the AJULIH project aims to make the Institution’s services more accessible by improving the reception and processing of complaints. At least 1,358 people in vulnerable situations, of whom 41% (553) were women, benefited from legal aid and legal assistance services. A number of 1,886 complaints were received during the year, of which 3.75% concerned women.

The AJULIH project also has 6 advocacy actions with the OPC and civil society organizations on the abusive pre-trial detention of women, including three feminist and/or feminist organizations (fanm Deside, AFASDA and A4C).

Challenges

The project faced certain challenges in its third year of implementation, notably socio-political and security insecurity, as well as the earthquake in August 2021 in the South, which impacted on the progress of activities, particularly in the selection of partner networks for the implementation of advocacy activities. In response to the earthquake crisis, the project distributed 1,000 hygiene kits to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the project’s partner organizations.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Haiti
Target 19.4

Canada, through PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Haiti by ensuring that WPS and gender are integrated in 80% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

While many international organizations left the country, PSOPs funded projects were able to continue operating in a modified manner with some activities suspended or delayed.

In FY 2021/22, PSOPs supported UN Women to train 10 Haitian women-led organizations in developing and implementing an awareness campaign on electoral and political violence against women, as well as women’s leadership in politics. PSOPs also supported Mercy Corps in Haiti to work with 12 women-led organizations to implement activities to promote good governance and peacebuilding processes.

Challenges

The rapidly deteriorating security situation and fuel shortages in Haiti in 2022 resulted in an extremely difficult operating environment. Other challenges included:

As a result of the increase in violence, women and girls faced higher rates of gang-related SGBV.

20. Colombia

Context

Colombia’s internal armed conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was the longest running armed conflict in the Americas. It killed over 220,000 people; displaced more than 7.1M and resulted in 60,000 disappearances. Although there is no official data, it is estimated that at least 500,000 women were targeted with sexual violence. Colombia has the second highest number of landmine victims in the world (after Afghanistan), and Colombians have suffered grave human rights violations and destabilization in rural areas. In 2016, the Government of Colombia and the FARC signed a peace agreement that ended over 50 years of internal armed conflict. The implementation of this agreement brings great opportunities for Colombia. However, challenges remain related to violence at the hands of other armed and guerilla groups, criminality, poverty, corruption, and human rights abuses, including an increase in the number of assassinations of human rights defenders (343 people between January 2017 and August 2018). The peace agreement with FARC includes specific provisions related to advancing women’s rights to rural economic development and political participation; illicit drugs; victims’ assistance; and demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants. Canada is supporting these efforts.

Canada has a strong record of advancing GE, human rights and empowerment of women and girls in Colombia through international assistance, the CFLI, and PSOPs programming. In 2016, Canada announced $78 million in funding for initiatives to support Colombia’s peace implementation, including $20 million to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Post-Conflict in Colombia. This programming aims to empower women as agents of peace. Investments in rural development are supporting women’s increased and meaningful participation, including as decision makers, in rural cooperatives and associations; as well as enabling equal access to and control over resources such as credit, infrastructure and land. Canadian supported initiatives acknowledge and address the differential impact of conflict on women and girls, and analyze the factors that support women to succeed in the marketplace and increase their skills, which is important in the post-conflict context. Canada also focused on education and youth programming to protect Colombian children and youth (particularly girls) from violence, exploitation and abuse. This work is supporting efforts to transform unequal gender relations among youth in conflict zones, and create educational opportunities for vulnerable girls and teenage mothers. In 2017-2018, Canada chaired Colombia’s International Cooperation Gender Coordination Group, coordinating the efforts of more than 40 organizations to advocate and advance GE and women’s rights in Colombia. The group has been instrumental in promoting the participation of women in Colombia’s peace negotiations.

Priority - Support the increased and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding, recovery and conflict resolution
Target 20.1

Canada increases the capacity of women engaged in peacebuilding, recovery and conflict resolution activities.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

The project WVL Colombia is supporting 15 rural WROs and 2 national women’s rights networks to strengthen their organizational capacities and programmatic implementation. In FY 2021/22, these WROs expanded their reach with their programmes to an additional 26 grassroots WROs and women’s collectives. WROs are developing strategies for protection pathways, including self-protection strategies. The agendas of WROs and networks are focused on defending their rights to live a life free of violence and for the rights of social leaders to be protected. All the organizations advocate for the implementation of the Peace Agreement. They all prioritize political and social participation, including women’s representation in indigenous decision-making structures. In FY 2022/23, these WROs expanded their reach with their programs to an additional 35 grassroot WROs and women’s collectives. WROs are developing strategies for protection pathways, including self-protection strategies. They all prioritize their political and social participation, including women’s representation in indigenous decision-making structures. Leaders of one of the national women’s rights networks, a member of the National Planning Council, participated actively in the revision and discussion of the 2022 to 2026 National Development Plan. Members of the 15 WROs reviewed and provided input to 25 legislative initiatives. Lastly, several organizations are working to transform social norms related to care.

The first Canadian Women, Peace & Security Civil Society Leadership Award was awarded to a Colombian organization of Indigenous women called Tejido Mujer. The organization had the opportunity to discuss with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs during an official virtual ceremony. The embassy then organized a reception hosted by BGOTA/HOM in their honour, in Cali, in May 2022, thus giving them additional visibility and motivation to continue fighting for peace. The second Canadian Women, Peace & Security Civil Society Leadership Award was awarded to a Colombian organization of Indigenous women called Organización Femenina Popular. While the formal ceremony took place after the reporting period, it was an opportunity to develop even closer ties with this important civil society organization and their Canadian partners KAIROS.

Through the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN-MPTF), 1,146 women received training on rights, political participation and advocacy in territorial peace building spaces, and 575 women participated in political dialogue with municipalities to incorporate their demands for peacebuilding. A number of 346 women, working with 5 civil society organizations, designed communications and advocacy strategies for the implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord. 1,186 women human rights defenders now have self-protection measures and tools, and 4,450 women victims of conflict participated in the socialization of the Truth Commission findings. A number of 126 specialized reports addressed the implementation or cross-cutting gender focus of the 2016 Peace Agreement.

Cognizant of the socio-economic impact of landmine contamination on women, the HALO Trust formally employed 347 women in positions ranging from demining and non-technical landmine survey team members to senior management positions. By the end of the performance period, two out of the five HALO locations in Colombia were managed by women. A number of 924 women and 1,201 girls received training on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education.

In FY 2021/22, a CFLI project led by the local organization CENTRAP promoted and empowered 140 women from 8 different women’s organizations in 12 municipalities of 6 different departments, to help guarantee the full enjoyment of human, social and civil rights; rights and social mobilization for the territorial defence and interests of women; and mapping of risks, conflicts and socio-environmental impacts. During FY 2022/23, two CFLI projects focused specifically on women’s political participation, which were especially relevant given the electoral situation in Colombia in FY 2022/23 period. In terms of scope, the Artemisas the project had a nationwide impact through the participation of 50 young women from different regions, and the second project with the National Women’s Network had an impact in Cauca and Montes de María, two vulnerable regions affected by the armed conflict. In the area of economic growth, the CFLI supported the development of local production lines, such as Saccha inchi snacks with the Arhuaco indigenous people of Pueblo Bello (Cesar) and the University of Santander; honey and organic wheat with the farmers of Socotá (Boyacá) and Envolvert, and other urban enterprises led by women in Popayán with Edupaz.

The Total Peace policy, a flagship initiative of President Petro to increase peace dialogue with guerrillas, drug traffickers and paramilitary groups to end conflict, is highly complex, deriving in increased regional violence and sparking much polarization. It will be essential to step up protection measures for human rights defenders, ethnic groups and community leaders, while ensuring that transitional justice and non-repetition measures are not sacrificed at the negotiating tables. The Petro government has an ambitious legislative agenda but has faced challenges that have slowed down the implementation of key initiatives such as the preparation of Colombia’s National Action Plan on WPS, as well as putting in place the Ministry of Equality and Equity.

During FY 2021/22 the 5-year project Leading for Peace, implemented by Plan International Canada, ended activities in December 2021. The project strengthened the leadership skills of women and youth in conflict-affected areas of Colombia. Over 2000 social leaders, victims’ representatives, teachers and human rights defenders are carrying on with their work to defend peace and victims’ rights, now with enhanced knowledge, skills and tools. The project also supported grassroots civil society and women’s rights organizations that are also allowing for sustainability of project outcomes in the territories. Participants reported having a more constructive way to manage conflicts and communicate within their own communities, and increased advocacy before authorities for the implementation attention and reparation measures for victims of the armed conflict. The project reached 158,198 people (F: 101,093 and M: 57,105), surpassing the total target of 141,640 (F:84,984 and M:56,656). In Year 5, 3,142 people participated directly in project activities (F: 2,082; M: 1,060). Of these, 1,355 were girls, boys, adolescents and youth, and community leaders (F: 812; M: 543), and 1,338 were public officials and teachers (F: 896; M: 442).

In 2022, through Canada’s support to the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Mission to Support the Peace Process (MAPP) in Colombia, PSOPs supported 403 women social leaders from remote areas of the country to attend peacebuilding leadership schools that strengthened their knowledge in peacebuilding, while reinforcing dialogue between communities and government institutions.

Challenges

The arrival of a new Government in Colombia has provided a unique opportunity to increase the capacity of women engaged in peacebuilding, recovery and conflict-resolution activities. At the same time, the arrival of this new government, the first from the left in the country’s history, has also meant important governmental staff turnover and reorganizations, leading to delays in implementing Canada`s programming. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related mobility restrictions continued to pose challenges for some of the projects undertaken including delays in implementation, lack of access of beneficiaries due to connectivity issues and increased threats, violence and assassinations of both women and men social leaders and human rights defenders, and reduced abilities for victims to access services. Reports indicate increased domestic violence and SGBV against women and 2SLGBTQI+ populations.

In 2022, programming in Colombia continued to face implementation challenges relating to COVID-19. Although there were opportunities for virtual participation in activities, to connectivity issues in rural regions of the country hindered, or in some cases altogether prevented, women’s participation in different forums. Additionally, women human rights defenders and social leaders faced increased threats and assassinations due to their work, creating an increasingly complex and precarious operational environment.

Priority - Enhance access to justice, compensation services and protection for women and girls
Target 20.2

Canada enhances access to justice, protection and compensation services for women and girls’ survivors of violence caused by the conflict.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

During FY 2021/22, through the project "Beyond Borders" implemented by Save the Children, Canada supported the mapping and dissemination of a referral pathway for child protection and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) services with girls, communities, and families. The Project provided technical support to 81 counselors (54 women; 27 men) on activating the referral pathways for complex cases of violence, abuse, or at risk. It also trained 790 caregivers and family members (719 female; 71 male) and 1,485 teachers on gender equality and child protection. At the national level, one public media campaign on girls’ rights to education, the importance of combating xenophobia and SGBV was implemented. In FY 2022/23, the Beyond Borders project improved policy planning, implementation and coordination at the departmental and national levels of government by implementing 15 departmental forums, one national forum (Education without Borders), and one national media awareness campaign that reached an estimated 4,500,000 people with messages on girls’ right to education and the importance of combating xenophobia and sexual and gender-based violence. A number of 440 teachers and counsellors (68% women) were trained on the activation of the referral pathways for complex violence, abuse, or at-risk cases, and 1,490 caregivers and family members (88% women) were trained on gender equality, child protection, and non-violent parenting.

During FY 2022/23, through the UN-MPTF, a total of 2,668 women had access to alternative justice mechanisms; and 35 civil society organizations were strengthened to recollect information, testimonies and evidence for the preparation of reports for the Integrated Peace System, including the documentation of 1,026 individual cases handed over to the Peace Jurisdictional mechanisms.

Profamilia has strengthened the Valiente project’s strategy related to SGBV. It established a Gender-Based Violence Committee with national and local institutions, where cases are being reported and referred by the project. Recognizing the lack of trust in the State and mental health support services that victims of SGBV experience in these municipalities, Profamilia created a Valiente Help Line to support project participants and receive reports on SGBV. Through this confidential line, there was a significant increase of cases reported compared to FY 2021/22, going from 21 to 158. Cases were referred to institutions and the project continues monitoring and accompanying victims and survivors. Additionally, the project has increased the delivery of SRH services to project participants.

Through the Embassy’s CFLI envelope in FY 2022/23, in Chocó, a region particularly affected by the armed conflict, Fundación La Paz developed a project that worked with 240 adolescents to prevent teenage pregnancies and prevent them from participating in violent activities or recruitment by armed groups. In Buenaventura, a territory extremely affected by the conflict, PARES strengthened 50 women in tools for peace and self-care. Two additional projects were developed by Venezuelan organizations working in Colombia: Fundación Nueva Ilusión and Venezolanos por Decisión. These projects had a great impact on the dignity and health of the migrant population in Colombia. One of the embassy’s CFLI projects in FY 2021/22, "Educándonos para la Paz" (from FORPP and CONPAZCOL), operated in 4 territories of Colombia and strongly contributed to the successful implementation of the Peace Accords (2016) through the training of community leaders (a majority of women and LBGTI leaders) in advocacy tools and risk prevention in their work as human rights defenders. Through the UN-MPTF, a total of 2,668 women had access to alternative justice mechanisms; and 35 civil society organizations were strengthened to collect information, testimonies, and evidence for the preparation of reports for the Integrated Peace System, including the documentation of 1,026 individual cases handed over to the Peace Jurisdictional mechanisms.

In 2022, through a project with Humanity & Inclusion Canada, PSOPs promoted the protection, safety, empowerment, and dignity of vulnerable Indigenous communities, especially women, in 9 municipalities of the Departments of Antioquia and Nariño. The project aims to improve Indigenous community protection mechanisms; increase knowledge and capacity to prevent and respond to SGBV; strengthen the knowledge of state institutions on Indigenous rights (with a focus on Indigenous women); support local and national advocacy efforts for gender-responsive protection mechanisms; and strengthen the capacity of Indigenous women to participate in decision-making spaces.

Through the Organization of American States (OAS) Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP), Canada supported the MAPP to accompany the victims and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace in identifying crimes of SGBV carried out during the conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

In FY 2022/23 despite renewed efforts by the new Colombian government to achieve a "Total Peace" within the country and with all armed groups, the security situation in Colombia remains very difficult with certain statistics showing a degradation of the situation. This has meant ongoing victimization of women and girls due to the conflict and ongoing difficulties in reaching these vulnerable populations.

Colombian NGO Profamilia, through the project "Valiente" (Brave), is implementing a 5-year comprehensive sexuality education program. It works with 10,361 girls and boys, plus their families, communities and local government institutions to create significant changes in their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), contributing to the reduction of high rates of gender-based violence and early pregnancies.

In FY 2021/22, progress was made in the work with schools as protective environments, and service delivery by the health sector, reviewing and updating their programs to promote gender equality, respond to gender-based violence and prevent early pregnancies. Particularly, there was increased engagement with national and local authorities to manage cases of sexual violence against girls and improve protection and referral pathways with diverse stakeholders (civil society and women’s rights organizations, local media, the private sector). This year, 63 public officials received capacity building and sustained accompaniment (56 women, 7 men).

In 2022, gender-based violence against children and adolescents continued to increase. The National Forensic Institute issued a specific report on this issue, recording an increase of legal medical examinations for SGBV cases from 28 045 in 2021 to 36 486 in 2022. Of these, 20 877 were for alleged cases of sexual abuse, where 52,7% of exams were performed on girls and boys aged 10 to 14 years old, and in total 70% of victims were girls and adolescent girls. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related mobility restrictions continued to pose challenges in order to ensure the access of women and girls’ survivors of violence caused by conflict to access justice, protection and compensation services. Ongoing security concerns in many of the regions of the country where these survivors live also created a challenge in implementing this target.

Challenges

In 2022, programming in Colombia continued to face implementation challenges relating to COVID-19, as restrictions around in-person activities continued. While the pandemic opened the space to carry out many activities virtually, due to connectivity issues in rural regions of the country, women’s participation in different fora was hampered or sometimes not possible. This included their ability to participate in accountability spaces relating to the transitional justice system. Additionally, women human rights defenders and social leaders faced increased threats and assassinations due to their work. Many of these leaders are dedicated to fighting for justice for victims of the conflict.

Priority - Support women’s empowerment and the advancement of GE, including through the engagement of men and youth
Target 20.3

Canada enhances access to quality education and sustainable livelihoods for girls and women as key components for a sustainable peace.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2022/23, Profamilia delivered the third of four cycles of a Comprehensive Sexuality Education program to 8,890 adolescents (53% women, 47% men) in eight municipalities of Colombia, who are demonstrating significant changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. A number of 1,461 teachers increased their capacity to address SRHR; and 267 public servants (213 women, 54 men) were trained on Friendly Health Services for Adolescents and Youth with a gender equality and children’s rights approach, and the incorporation of a gender and rights approach in public policy implementation and the State’s response to SGBV.

Through the Beyond Borders project, Save the Children provided technical support and training to enable 40 schools in 3 border departments to deliver flexible education (transition and accelerated education), particularly for out-of-school and crisis-affected girls. The project provided 13,171 students (53% girls) with educational kits and supported 40 schools in designing School Improvement Plans. It also improved classroom practices and created more gender-responsive learning environments by training 1,485 teachers (73,9% women) on gender-responsive teaching and learning strategies; 81 counselors (67% women) on activating the referral pathways for complex violence, abuse, or at-risk cases; and 790 caregivers and family members (91% women) on gender equality, child protection, and non-violent parenting. A key achievement was establishing 19 Girls’ Clubs providing life skills and girls’ empowerment, including Socio-Emotional Learning, gender equality, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights activities. The project was also successful in launching the First National forum in November 2021, "Education Without Borders," where 400 people increased their awareness of the gender-based issues girl’s face in accessing education. Over 185 public officials and members of Community-Based Organizations and Women Organizations were also trained on evidence- and research-based gender responsive and innovative educational approaches to support the inclusion of crisis-affected children.

During FY 2021/22 ViaCo-operative Development Foundation of Canada, financial and business development services were provided to 54 rural cooperatives and producer associations, benefitting 13,006 producers (30% women); while 10,048 producers from 45 organizations (30% women) accessed associative loan. Such loans are granted to the collective group, instead of individual producers, creating stronger relationships and organizational practices.

Through Alinea Canada, 618 producers (59% women) received technical assistance to adapt to climate change. For the final year of Plan Canada’s project, Leading for Peace; 449 youths were trained on gender-transformative life skills and entrepreneurship (Women: 379, Men: 70); and 400 productive initiatives were supported with these funds and materials. In total, 3955 young people (79% women) were certified in entrepreneurship and began their own businesses, and 404 Village Savings and Loan Associations were formed, increasing financial literacy of communities, increasing their collective savings, and more importantly, building back trust between families and neighbours.

Through Cuso International, a total of 17,740 individuals (65% women), increased their participation in the labour market. A number of 5,615 women are now linked to formal employment. An additional 755 micro-businesses have been supported increasing profitability for 464 women (62%). Through Socodevi’s Agroemprende project, approximately $20 million was secured in co-financing. Five project areas were confirmed in Medio and Bajo Putumayo, Meta, Cesar, Occidente de Boyaca and Magdalena Medio. Household productivity increased by 4%. A number of 25 out of 40 associations adopted a gender equality plan. A proportion of 72% of associations have a minimum of 30% women’s representation in decision-making bodies. A proportion of 52% of women demonstrated an increased level of empowerment. A number of 1096 new and renovated hectares of cacao plantations were managed under an agroforestry system that meets national standards. The volume of cacao sold to buyers through the associations increased by 39% and associations increased their total sales by 60%.

Challenges

During FY 2022/23 ongoing security concerns in many of the regions of the country where these survivors live also created a challenge in implementing this target as well as limited resources. Between 2019 and the first half of 2022, there was an approximate 1,372% increase in the number of registered child rights violations, including domestic and sexual violence; forced displacement; recruitment by illegal armed groups; child labour; and attacks on schools (COALICO). This increase can be partly explained by the improved awareness of children’s rights, which projects like Beyond Borders have helped to achieve, and the improved illegal armed groups have also taken advantage of the shift of government priorities to expand their social and territorial control. Many families were economically hit, and schools were closed—leaving many girls and boys vulnerable to recruitment, use and utilization by armed groups. This resulted in increases in forced displacement, forced confinement, disappearances, and homicides, mainly impacting Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities and Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Boys are most likely to be recruited for military purposes, while girls face risks of sexual grooming, exploitation and use for domestic services.

Migration from Venezuela continues, but the school system continues to face challenges in ensuring that migrant children have full access to education services, especially for those that have not regularized their migratory status in Colombia. This is also hampered by the fact that the new Government is placing less emphasis on the Venezuelan migration crisis, and has shifted attention to mixed transcontinental migratory flows, which is generally of a transit nature. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related mobility restrictions continued to pose challenges to ensure access for girls and women to quality education and sustainable livelihoods. Ongoing security concerns in many of the regions of the country where these survivors live also created a challenge in implementing this target.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Colombia
Target 20.4

Canada, through PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Colombia by ensuring that WPS principles and/or gender perspectives are integrated in 75% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In 2021, through a project with Humanity & Inclusion Canada, PSOPs supported the establishment of one Indigenous women’s organization involving the Sande people of Colombia. Additionally, in 2022, the project established two women’s committees and counselling services developed by Awa women and formally accepted by Indigenous leaders. Given the patriarchal nature of Indigenous communities, this represents a significant step in Indigenous women’s empowerment. In 2022, through Avocats sans frontières Canada, PSOPs supported 28 Colombian women’s organizations working on increasing access to justice for women victims of the conflict. This project also supported the establishment of 2 women’s organizations, one of which represents Indigenous women specifically.

Through the UN-MPTF, a total of 2,668 women had access to alternative justice mechanisms, 35 civil society organizations were strengthened to collect information, testimonies and evidence for the preparation of reports for the Integrated Peace System, including the documentation of 1,026 individual cases handed over to the Peace Jurisdictional mechanisms. A number of 1,146 women received training on rights, political participation, and advocacy in territorial peacebuilding spaces, and 575 women participated in political dialogue with municipalities to incorporate their demands for peacebuilding. A number of 346 women, working with 5 civil society organizations, designed communications and advocacy strategies for the implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord; 1,186 women human rights defenders now have self-protection measures and tools, and 4,450 women victims of conflict participated in the socialization of the Truth Commission findings. A number of 126 specialized reports addressed the implementation or cross-cutting gender focus of the 2016 Peace Agreement.

In 2022, through Canada’s support to the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Mission to Support the Peace Process (MAPP) in Colombia, Canada supported 403 women social leaders from remote areas of the country to attend peacebuilding leadership schools that strengthened their knowledge in peacebuilding, while reinforcing dialogue between communities and government institutions. In Nariño, the MAPP also supported the inclusion of 120 women from the Municipal Women’s Board of Cumbal in the local risk management committee, which enabled women to raise awareness on different risks faced in this region. Canada also funded the OAS to provide mine risk education to 22,876 people, including 2,939 women and 8,548 girls, from 42 mine affected municipalities across 10 Colombian departments where military mine action clearance was being carried out.

Challenges

There was a continued need to work with project recipients to ensure they reported adequately on how they integrated gender into their activities and results, above and beyond simply providing output level participation data.

Asia

21. Afghanistan

Context

Decades of conflict and fragility have deepened and legitimized the practices that deny women and girls their human rights, mobility and opportunity, and ultimately their equal status with men and boys. Women and girls throughout Afghanistan are disadvantaged by:

In addition, women continue to face major obstacles regarding economic opportunities, as well as norms that discourage women from working outside of the home and seeking financial independence. Most women lack literacy and financial management skills. Most Afghan businesswomen are unable to access credit or financing. Though laws protect women’s rights to property and inheritance, in reality many women still struggle to claim their economic and property rights. Despite modest gains over the past decade, ongoing conflict hampers the overall progress of women’s economic, political and social rights.

Development programming in Afghanistan is focused on empowering women and girls through increased support to women’s organizations and improved access to education and health care services. Canada will continue supporting the delivery of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care to women and girls living in hard-to-reach communities.

Canada supports Afghanistan’s NAP on UNSCR 1325 (2015-2022) through its programming, policy dialogue, and diplomatic engagement. Afghanistan’s NAP was initiated in 2013 by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and developed in consultation with 21 government institutions, leading CSO, and the Afghan Women’s Network, which convened seven provincial consultations to feed into the development of the Plan. It was publicly launched in June 2015. Afghanistan’s NAP aims to increase women’s participation in peace processes and the security sector, as well as to address issues around protection and relief and recovery services for women. Canada is also a strong proponent of ensuring the retention and recruitment of women in the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and their observation and implementation of the WPS agenda. Canada also supports Afghanistan’s NAP through programming that advances women’s social and economic empowerment, including addressing SGBV and supporting the elimination of VAW law.

Priority - Support the increased representation of women in the Afghan National Defence and Security ForcesFootnote 23
Target 21.1 (Suspended)

Canada actively supports the implementation of Afghanistan’s NAP on UNSCR 1325. Afghan National Defence and Security Forces have targets for recruitment of qualified women, particularly at the low and middle management level, as part of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces sustainment. The goal is to reach the targets set for women within the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army: 5% for the police and 0.75% for the army.

This target was suspended in 2021 due to changes in the operating environment.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

SuspendedFootnote 24 – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Key Updates since FY 2020/21

Canada’s support to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), which was primarily channeled through the Afghan National Army Trust Fund (ANATF) and the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan, was suspended following the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan government in August 2021 and has been dissolved.

Prior to the Taliban takeover, the ANDSF had made considerable gains in furthering the WPS agenda by recruiting and retaining women in the last decade, helping to create a protective environment for women. Despite this progress, female service members still faced a daunting array of problems: social stigma, discrimination from male colleagues, restricted career development, resistance from the communities where they work, and harassment and abuse from their male colleagues.

Priority - Support women’s rights organizations in advancement of Afghanistan’s NAP on WPS
Target 21.2 (Suspended)

In direct support of the goals outlined in Afghanistan’s NAP on WPS.

This target was suspended in 2021 due to changes in the operating environment.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Attention Required/Objective 1.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Suspended – Please see the 2020/21 departmental progress report for details on the final year of reporting for this target.

Key Updates since FY 2020/21

Canada’s programming on Women and Girls’ Rights and Empowerment amounted to $3 million in FY 2021/22, and $1.1 million in FY 2022/23, with the aim of helping to address sexual and gender-based violence and support women’s economic empowerment. During this reporting period, Canada worked with four international partners and a total of 36 local women’s rights organizations across Afghanistan to strengthen the implementation of related policies and programs.

The Women’s Enterprise, Advocacy and Training program, funded by GAC, promoted an enabling environment for gender equality by providing access to necessary information and assets, and building women’s confidence to participate in decision-making processes. In FY 2021/22, the project supported: a two-day training program for 30 women’s CSOs to strategize and advance women’s rights, providing 1,009 women with information on rights, confidence building, and psychological first aid; and training for 93 women’s enterprises in their specific sector. Due to the difficult operating environment following the Taliban takeover on August 15, 2021, the scope of activities was modified but maintained a focus on supporting access to GBV services, training and technical inputs to existing women’s enterprises, and scaling up of women’s enterprises through smart subsidies.

Through the Amplify Change project, implemented by Oxfam Canada, Canada supported Afghan women and girls to participate more effectively in community decision-making by empowering them to access and exercise their legal rights, and by creating an enabling environment that facilitates their participation in civic life. The project supported: 37 women to graduate from vocational training courses with 100% reporting that they were earning an income after 6 months; 330 women, men, girls, and religious and political leaders to receive training on women’s legal protections from an Islamic perspective; and 140 men, boys and influencers to receive training on women’s economic rights and entitlements. Unfortunately, due to the Taliban takeover, this project was terminated, and the gains achieved are severely at risk of being rolled back due to the political, social and security situation in Afghanistan.

In partnership with the Women’s Voice and Leadership Afghanistan project, Canada sought to increase the enjoyment of human rights by Afghan women and girls and to advance gender equality in Afghanistan. Between April 1 and August 15, 2021, Canada supported:

Due to the Taliban takeover, most local women’s rights organizations were dissolved or went into hiding and the project was terminated.

Challenges

The international community remains seized on how to approach engagement with the Taliban, recognizing the dire need for humanitarian support to maintain a "lifeline" for the people of Afghanistan. During the reporting period, Canada engaged with allies, like-minded, and the international community on best entry points for supporting the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls, and human rights defenders.

Human interest story

Abdul, 33, is a religious leader from Balkh Province. A large proportion of the residents of his village lack access to basic education. Abdul participated in a women’s economic rights workshop supported by the Amplify Change project, implemented by Oxfam Canada.

Initially, he argued that the workshop was contrary to Islamic principles. After the second day of training, his attitude changed: “I made a mistake in how I was delivering Islamic messages to the community, in terms of women’s rights, causing violence against women.” Afterwards, Abdul worked as a volunteer social worker in his village and utilized his knowledge to highlight and safeguard women’s rights in his Friday prayers. He later asked Oxfam to print the workshop materials and distributed them to his fellow community members.

Abdul’s safety and that of other progressive Imams advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan has been put at risk by the Taliban’s takeover and their fundamentalist interpretation of Islam.

22. Myanmar

Context

Since August 25, 2017, the grave humanitarian and security crisis that continues to unfold in Myanmar stands as a global tragedy, which has led more than 730,000 Rohingya to flee their homes in Rakhine State and seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh. SGBV has featured significantly in this conflict and Canada will continue to advocate for the human rights of the Rohingya and on the need to bring perpetrators of violence to account.

The Rohingya crisis starkly underscores the importance of pursuing GE in Myanmar. To date, Myanmar’s progress in GE includes equality in legal and policy frameworks, such as constitutional guarantees for equal rights without discrimination against any Myanmar citizen on the basis of sex. Myanmar has ratified and endorsed the major international conventions and agreements on GE and women’s and children’s rights, and its National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2013 to 2022) is based on the priority areas of the Beijing Platform for Action. Significant challenges remain despite this progress, including limited public sector capacity, policy implementation gaps, varied performance among and within sectors, traditional cultural values related to women’s roles and responsibilities that shape familial relationships, limited women’s participation in decision-making and access to resources, and allowing GBV to occur with impunity. Moreover, Myanmar’s peace process has largely excluded gender concerns and women’s participation in both process and substance. The level of women’s inclusion during peace agreement negotiations has been low.

In response, Canada’s bilateral development program will work with partners to integrate GE results across development programs, increase support for SRHR, including ending SGBV, and increase support for women and girls’ and GE through the support of local organizations. PSOPs programming in Myanmar will support and strengthen the capacities of various groups, including women’s groups, to increase their participation and capacity to influence decisions on the peace process. In addition, PSOPs programming opportunities in Myanmar will take gender perspectives into account when deciding which initiatives to fund.

Priority - Support local women’s rights organizations and movements working to advance GE and WPS
Target 22.1

Canada strengthens the integration of GE and women and girls’ empowerment in bilateral development programming to 90% of funding by the end of the FY 2022/23 to increase GE and meaningful participation of women in public life in Myanmar.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

At the start of the CNAP-2, 73% of the Myanmar Development program budget was funding initiatives that integrated gender equality (FY 2017/18). Over the course of the Action Plan, the program made sure to identify new projects with significant integration of GE results or targeted specifically at women’s empowerment and support to women’s organization. Canada’s strategy to respond to the Rohingya and Myanmar crises (2021 to 2024) and the additional funding included for the program allowed the project plan even more projects that met these criteria. The result was that as soon as FY 2020-2021, 91% of the program’s funding went toward projects fully integrating gender equality, and then hit 100% for the last two years of the Action Plan’s implementation. In terms of impact, Canada’s support to initiatives fully integrating gender equality enhanced effective advancement of the rights and empowerment of women and girls, particularly from at-risk and crisis-affected communities, through stronger WROs, movements, and CSOs, and protection against and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Challenges

The February 2021 military coup and the ensuing political and security crisis combined with the COVID-19 pandemic forced implementing partners to continue adjusting their activities. The inability to engage with the military government following the coup made it impossible for some partners to reach outcomes pertaining to policy development and lawmaking. Instead, they had to redirect their efforts, some choosing to focus on decision makers and key actors in the democratic process, some on civil society organizations (CSOs) to achieve the planned outcomes. Also, the shrinking space and risky environment forced our partners to be reactive and adapt activities to meet expectations when working with women’s rights organizations (WROs). All this is compounded by the fact that many in-person activities could not take place because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Human interest story

Mi Sar Yar Poine from the Mon Women Organization, which is supported by the Strengthening Federalism in Myanmar project, reports: “I have benefited from the training and workshops organized by the Forum of Federations. I could be able to share all those experiences in my community and apply at my work. The training provided me some links to think about what is happening on the ground. Then, I could be able to share what are the solution by using experiences from the training. Among all these training processes, I was so much inspired by the idea of Gender Responsive Governance and Budget. I used to be a campaign for a woman candidate in the 2020 election and I noticed that my candidate had encountered many serval challenges because she is a woman. She could not travel anytime she wanted as she had to think of her children, family, and also income and travel expense. Although there are many policies that protect women, for example NSPAW, National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women, it is really essential to bring policies and written commitments that are legally strong to allow women to be able to participate in politics. For example, gender quota system in political parties and elections. All political parties and related stakeholder should immediately give effort on this issue.”

Priority - Increase the support for SRHR and rights including ending SGBV
Target 22.2

The support for SRHR and ending SGBV in bilateral development programming is increased by 2022/23.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 2.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

On track/Objective 2.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

Throughout the implementation of the Action Plan, the Myanmar development program focused its efforts on finding new initiatives to fund that supported sexual and reproductive health rights and sexual and gender-based violence. This meant adopting a theory of change narrative around gender equality that included support to local resource centres who work directly with survivors of SGBV, support to CSOs and other non-state actors in programming and implementing new activities related to gender equality and SGBV, and the provision of training to women for increased knowledge and understanding of their rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights, and available GBV and SRH services. This focus by the program had a real impact in the lives of women and girls in Myanmar. Indeed, through the Health, Empowerment and Rights for Vulnerable Populations in Myanmar Project, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that sexual education was seen as a hindrance to Myanmar culture and religion by the military regime, making it difficult for the partner to reach beneficiaries. To respond to the challenge and existing needs, the partner organized the creation of a mobile medical boat moving along the river to provide sexual and reproductive health rights services to communities along the riverbank, reaching beneficiaries that would otherwise have seen services dry up because of the military regime.

Challenges

The COVID-19 situation remained a central issue for many of our implementing partners, who were forced to proceed virtually with some activities when possible, raising many other challenges including internet access, connectivity and power outages. In some cases, the political crisis ensuing from the 2021 military coup limited engagement by participants, citing safety, security and mobility concerns. Combined, these challenges made it difficult for implementing partners to accurately report on indicators regarding engagement or knowledge retention.

Human interest story

Adolescents and young people in Nyaung U township in Mandalay are facing challenges in accessing correct SRHR information, and do not have a safe space to discuss their needs and issues. The Thanaka: Girls Power in Myanmar project is engaging with them to improve their knowledge and decision-making skills to make informed and healthy choices for improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes through the Champion of Change training, Plan International’s curriculum-based facilitator-led methodology, which emphasizes gender equality, assertiveness, and SRH information, and empowers youth to become champions who can lead their communities in creating a gender-responsive environment, raising awareness to SRH, and prevent GBV. “I used to believe that talking about sex is quite rude, inappropriate, and cheap and dirty talks for adolescent girls and young women before marriage,” said Su Myat Noe. However, the training helped her gain confidence to talk about menstrual health with her family and friends. She also learned about her SRHR, which gave her the courage to say "No" to unwanted sexual relations. As peer leaders, these youths will engage their peers and the wider community to increase knowledge on SRHR and design and lead SBCC campaigns that promote GE, the prevention of GBV, women and girls’ leadership and economic participation to help create an enabling environment for all.

Priority - Mainstream WPS and gender into peace and security efforts in Myanmar
Target 22.3

Canada, through its PSOPs, demonstrates support for women’s increased and meaningful participation in improving peace and security in Myanmar by ensuring that WPS principles and gender perspectives are integrated in 75% of projects.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2023

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Target achieved to date as of March 31, 2022

Target achieved or surpassed/Objective 3.

Baseline

Activity

Indicator

Results and progress

In FY 2021/22 and 2022/23, PSOPs supported the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) in both Myanmar and Bangladesh. The project aimed to reduce tensions between host communities and refugees in Myanmar and Bangladesh, by providing training to young women leaders (YWL) and male gender equality allies. GNWP trained 30 participants in 2021, and 237 in 2022 (cumulatively). Training workshops enabled the meaningful participation, influence, and leadership of YWLs in local-level empowerment and community-based peacebuilding initiatives, as well as other political processes such as the implementation of WPS and YPS resolutions. It also raised awareness on the child, early and forced marriage, women’s education among teachers from schools and madrasas (Islamic education institutes) and religious and political leaders.

Other project outcomes included increased awareness of human trafficking, child marriage, and GBV. This was achieved by increasing the capacity of YWL to prepare radio scripts and coordinate radio programs for almost 100,000 listeners from host and Rohingya communities. GNWP also supported YWLs to organize literacy and numeracy classes on peacebuilding and humanitarian action initiatives with the Rohingya community, which amplified their experiences, challenges, and achievements in advocating for sustainable peace, gender equality, human rights, and good governance.

Challenges

Following the coup d’état in February 2021, GAC, led by PSOPs, undertook a detailed scenario planning exercise to generate a whole-of-government view on the most likely scenario to unfold in the country over the next year and highlight key considerations for Canadian engagement. Despite efforts to continue engaging with partners in FY 2021/22, the rapidly changing context presented considerable challenges to achieving the intended objectives of PSOPs programming in Myanmar. Numerous implementers had to halt, pivot, or cease operations to ensure the safety and security of their staff. In FY 2022/23, PSOPs worked closely with partners to identify new opportunities to support WPS initiatives and peace goals, however significant operational challenges remained.

Annex 1: Methodology for objective ratings

The ratings for individual targets were assigned with the following considerations:

To ensure quality control, the Action Plan coordination team at Global Affairs Canada reviewed all target ratings for accuracy, consistency and cohesion across the departmental reports. Feedback and recommendations were provided to responsible focal points, resulting in each individual target rating undergoing several rounds of consultations, discussion, and approval. This extensive process allowed for reduced subjectivity and improved accuracy.

Rating scale for achievement of targets:

Annex 2: Overview of progress in meeting targets

The pie chart below represents the total number of targets that were achieved, not achieved (attention required), or suspended, by the end of CNAP-2. All timebound, closed targets are included in the achieved or not achieved categories, based on the target rating assigned at the time of closure. Suspended targets are also included and identified. By the end of CNAP-2’s lifespan (FY 2022/23), 93% of targets were rated as Achieved or Surpassed, while only 5% were rated as Attention Required (not achieved)

Text version

Total progress on targets by Fy 2022/23

  • Attention required: 5%
  • Suspended: 2%
  • Achieved or surpassed: 93%

The bar chart below presents a summary of the progress on targets for the final year of CNAP-2, visually representing the proportion of targets that were achieved or not achieved (attention required), disaggregated by each CNAP objective. All timebound closed targets are included in the achieved or not achieved categories, based on the target rating assigned at the time of closure. Suspended targets are not included in the chart below. As the bar chart shows, the best results were registered under Objective 2, Objective 3, and Objective 4 where 100% of targets were Achieved or Surpassed.

Text version

Progress on targets by FY 2022/23, disaggregated by objective

  • Internal Capacity and Efficiency
    • Achieved or surpassed: 96%
    • Attention required: 4%
  • Objective 1
    • Achieved or surpassed: 89%
    • Attention required: 11%
  • Objective 2
    • Achieved or surpassed: 100%
  • Objective 3
    • Achieved or surpassed: 100%
  • Objective 4
    • Achieved or surpassed: 100%
  • Objective 5
    • Achieved or surpassed: 75%
    • Attention required: 25%

Overall Progress of Each Target by Objective in FY 2022/23

StatusInternal capacity & efficiencyObjective 1 - Conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuildingObjective 2 - Prevent and address SGBV and SEAObjective 3 - Gender equality, human rights and empowermentObjective 4 - Gender-responsive humanitarian action and SRHRObjective 5 - WPS in peace operationsTotal
Too early to report on0000000
Attention required (not achieved)2.2

9.3.2

11.3*

15.1

21.1**, 21.2**

00013.27
Mostly On Track0000000
On Track0000000
Target achieved or surpassed

1.1, 1.2

2.3, 2.4*, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9*

3.1, 3.2

4.2*, 4.4

6.3

9.4*

10.2

12.1, 12.2* 12.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3

7.1, 7.4

8.1, 8.2, 8.3

9.1*, 9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.3.1*

10.1

11.1, 11.2

13.1, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5

14.1, 14.2

17.1.2, 17.2

19.1.1

20.1

2.10.1

2.10.2

6.4

16.1

16.2

16.3

18.2

22.1

22.2

7.3

2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4

4.1*, 4.3

5.1, 5.2

6.1, 6.2

12.4, 12.5

14.3

17.1.1, 17.3, 17.4

18.1, 18.3

19.1.2, 19.1.3, 19.2.1, 19.2.2, 19.2.3, 19.3.1, 19.3.2, 19.3.3, 19.4

20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 22.3

1.3, 1.4

2.11, 2.12

7.2

91
Total232710322498

* This represents a closed target

** This represents a suspended target

Overall progress of each target by objective in FY 2021/22
StatusInternal capacity & efficiencyObjective 1 - Conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuildingObjective 2 - Prevent and address SGBV and SEAObjective 3 - Gender equality, human rights and empowermentObjective 4 - Gender-responsive humanitarian action and SRHRObjective 5 - WPS in peace operationsTotal
Too early to report on

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Attention required

2.2

15.1

0

0

0

13.2

3

Mostly On Track

0

9.3.2

0

0

0

0

1

On Track

1.1

2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8

3.1, 3.2

4.4

6.3

12.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3

7.1,7.4

8.1, 8.2, 8.3

10.1

11.1, 11.2

13.1, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5

14.2

17.1.2, 17.2

19.1.1

20.1

2.10.1, 2.10.2

6.4

7.3

16.1, 16.2, 16.3

18.2

22.2

2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4

4.3

6.1, 6.2

12.5

17.1.1

18.1, 18.3

19.1.2, 19.1.3, 19.2.1, 19.2.2, 19.2.3, 19.3.1, 19.3.2, 19.3.3

20.2, 20.3

1.3, 1.4

2.11, 2.12

7.2

66

Target achieved or surpassed

1.2

2.3*

10.2

12.1

9.2.1, 9.2.2

14.1

22.1

5.1, 5.2

12.4*

14.3*

17.3, 17.4*

19.4*

20.4*

22.3*

0

0

17

Closed

2.4, 2.9

4.2

9.4

12.2

9.1, 9.3.1

11.3

21.1, 21.2

0

4.1

0

0

11

Total

23

27

10

32

2

4

98

* This represents a target managed by PSOPs that was achieved 1 year ahead of the end of CNAP-2.

Annex 3: Tracking of international assistance investments to advance Women, Peace and Security

Background

While there is no internationally agreed method to track international assistance investments to advance WPS, Canada has developed a methodology to track WPS spending that builds on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) approach to capturing international assistance spending allocated to advancing gender equality in fragile states. This method is based on a combination of OECD-DAC purpose codes, Global Affairs Canada’s gender equality (GE) codes and a list of fragile and conflict-affected states created using 3 indices: the Fragile States Index, Global Peace Index and OECD States of Fragility Report. The projects are captured in our project database using these search criteria. Because of the application of OECD-DAC codes, the method can more accurately capture the relevant WPS components of projects, thereby providing more accurate reporting on funding amounts.

WPS funding

Based on this method, preliminary reporting demonstrates that GAC disbursed the following amounts over the lifespan of CNAP (2017-2022)

Total WPS funding disbursements, disaggregated by fiscal year and GE code
Fiscal yearMillions of dollars# of GE02 projects# of GE03 projectsTotal
2022/23$636 million297202499
2021/22$679 million301202503
2020/21$692 million298153451
2019/20$679 million261127388
2018/19$497 million22678204
2017/18$408 million21555270
2016/17table note *$221 millionN/AN/AN/A

Table Note

Table Note *

Baseline year prior to CNAP (2017-2022) implementation.

Return to table note * referrer

The results outlined above indicate that by the end of CNAP-2, projects that integrated and specifically targeted gender equality almost doubled, from 270 in FY 2017/18 to approximately 500 in each of the final two years. Most notably, over the lifespan of CNAP-2, Canada increased support of projects that specifically target gender equality (GE03) by 267%. With this, the average year over year growth rate of investments in GE03 projects was 31.4%. Additionally, Canada’s investments into WPS programming tripled over the lifespan of CNAP-2.

Although WPS spending decreased slightly after peaking in FY 2020/21, it is important to note that dollars spent is not equal to results achieved. This is demonstrated by the graph below which shows that despite the funding peak in FY 2020/21, the number of projects continued to increase. This is because Canada invested in a greater number of smaller-sized projects in the final two years of CNAP-2, as opposed to the larger investments in fewer, but larger-sized projects from 2019 to 2021.

Text version

WPS funding disbursements relative to the number of projects (GE02 and GE03), disaggregated by fiscal year:

2017/2018

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 215
    • GE03: 55
  • WPS funding: $408 million

2018/2019

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 226
    • GE03: 78
  • WPS funding: $497 million

2019/2020

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 261
    • GE03: 127
  • WPS funding: $679 million

2020/2021

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 298
    • GE03: 153
  • WPS funding: $692 million

2021/2022

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 301
    • GE03: 202
  • WPS funding: $679 million

2022/2023

  • Number of projects by GE code:
    • GE02: 297
    • GE03: 202
  • WPS funding: $636 million

It is also important to note the impact that Canada’s programming disbursement model has when interpreting the data above. Projects typically see a larger proportion of funds disbursed in year 1, and smaller increments the years following. As such, the bigger-sized projects initiated in FY 2020/21 would have seen a larger disbursement of year 1 funds, compared to the greater number of smaller-sized projects funded in the final two years, which would have experienced a smaller disbursement of their year 1 funds. This is visually represented in the graph below:

Text version

Project disbursement size by fiscal year

Fiscal Year DisplayDisbursement Amount ($ M)
2016/1719
2017/1845
2018/1955
2019/2065
2020/2154
2021/2256
2022/2334

Country-specific WPS funding

In the Action Plan’s countries of focus, GAC disbursed the following amounts, in millions of dollars, to WPS programming:

WPS funding ($million) per CNAP focus country, disaggregated by fiscal year
Country2017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/23
Afghanistan$31.5$33$34.1$25.3$15.7$3.8
Burundi$1.7$1.7$0.54$1.6$4.1$2
Colombia$12.1$16.8$19.8$21.4$21.3$16.4
DRC$22$25$41.2$17$30.5$26.5
Guatemala$3.7$5$3.7$3.7$8$8.4
Haiti$23.2$22.8$23.6$23.6$23$25.8
Iraq$41.4$27.9$47.6$31.1$17.3$20.6
Jordan$18.7$28.8$19.1$38.1$35.4$18.1
Lebanon$18.6$18.5$21$35.8$20.4$22.6
Mali$20.6$28.7$31.6$19.9$28.5$36.1
Myanmar$6.4$13.6$20.9$24.1$24.3$23.2
South Sudan$10.6$13$50$50.1$19.6$8.7
Syria$39.3$37.1$23.7$22.9$18.6$23.2
Text version

Summary of WPS funding ($M) per CNAP focus country, disaggregated by fiscal year:

Project2016/17 (baseline year)2017/20182018/20192019/20202020/20212021/20222022/2023
Afghanistan31,53334,125,325,315,73,8
Burundi1,71,70,541,61,64,12
Colombia12,116,819,821,421,421,316,4
DRC222541,2171730,526,5
Guatemala3,753,73,73,788,4
Haiti23,222,823,623,623,62325,8
Iraq41,427,947,631,131,117,320,6
Jordan18,728,819,138,138,135,418,1
Lebanon18,618,52135,835,820,422,6
Mali20,628,731,619,919,928,536,1
Myanmar6,413,620,924,124,124,323,2
South Sudan10,6135050,150,119,68,7
Syria39,337,123,722,922,918,623,2

WPS funding according to objective

Below is a breakdown of GAC’s programming disbursements broadly aligned with the Action Plan’s 5 main objectives. Some objectives capture a much broader range of issues than others, which is reflected in the funding amounts.

The total amount of WPS funding increased slightly from the previous fiscal year, while a decrease appeared in 3 main objectives. It is important to note that these amounts represent disbursements made throughout the life cycle of a project, which may explain fluctuations in funding levels year to year. Many projects also contribute substantially to more than 1 objective, and their alignment for reporting purposes under the principal objective can also create shifts that under-report actual funding to complementary objectives.

Objective 1: Gender-responsive peacebuilding, peacemaking, and post-conflict state-building, including support to women and women’s groups working on peace-related issues
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

$38.1 million

-1.3%

2021/22

$38.6 million

-8.7%

2020/21

$42.3 million

94%

2019/20

$21.8 million

-11%

2018/19

$24.5 million

-9.3%

2017/18

$27 million

-
Objective 2: Prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, including ending impunity and providing services to survivors, and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

$32 million

23.5%

2021/22

$25.9 million

-33.4

2020/21

$38.9 million

-22.8

2019/20

$50.4 million

-9.5%

2018/19

$55.7 million

-7.8%

2017/18

$60.4 million

-

Objective 3: Promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights and empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected settings, including support to a gender-responsive security sector, women’s political participation, girls’ primary education and combatting violent extremism
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

$273.3 million

-3.32

2021/22

$282.7 million

55%

2020/21

$182.3 million

-11.1%

2019/20

$205 million

57.6%

2018/19

$130 million

22.4%

2017/18

$106.3 million

-

Objective 4(a)Footnote 26: Advancing gender equality in humanitarian settings
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

$206.9 million

-11%

2021/22

$232.5 million

-15.8%

2020/21

$276.2 million

62.5%

2019/20

$170 million

70%

2018/19

$100 million

-0.7%

2017/18

$100.7 million

-

Objective 4(b)Footnote 27: Sexual and reproductive health and rights in fragile, conflict-affected states and humanitarian settings
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

$85.8 million

-13.2%

2021/22

$98.9 million

-34%

2020/21

$149.9 million

-32.7%

2019/20

$222.6 million

38.3%

2018/19

$160.9 million

42.4%

2017/18

$113 million

-

Objective 5: Strengthening the capacity of peace operations to advance WPS
Fiscal yearAmountYear over year %
2022/23

-

-

2021/22

$0.2 million

-90.5%

2020/21

$2.1 million

-77.2%

2019/20

$9.2 million

-63.9%

2018/19

$25.5 million

3740%

2017/18

$0.664 million

-

Note about dashes (0 million equal -100%)

Text version

WPS funding according to CNAP objective, disaggregated by fiscal year:

-Objective 1Objective 2Objective 3Objective 4aObjective 4bObjective 5
2017/182760,4106,3100,71130,664
2018/1924,555,7130100160,925,5
2019/2021,850,4205170222,69,2
2020/2142,338,9182,3276,2149,92,1
2021/2238,625,9282,7232,598,90,2
2022/2338,132273,3206,985,80
Date Modified: