The project plans to build an extensive knowledge base for mainstreaming gender dimensions into IWRM. To achieve this objective the project will build a regional network and establish 6 national ones using Internet technology in, at least 6, countries of the South East Mediterranean Region(SEMR). The regional network will be essentially a mean for exchanging experiences, disseminate results and allow for enhanced coordination among national projects' activities and participants. The national networks will be a powerful tool to store and disseminate gender information..
The project will improve the cooperation and dialogue among partners and external organizations interested in this subject through the participation in 3 regional workshops and an International Conference that will be held at the end of project life. Furthermore the project will interact with other MPC projects, like MELIA, INECO and WADI, that also focus on information, knowledge management to promote coordination and exchange of experiences.
It is also expected that the project will contribute to improve the coordination of gender activities in an IWRM context and to disseminate information, particularly in the rural areas. For this purpose GEWAMED will establish a National Central Focal Points in each SEMR country that will interact with the other collaborating institutions involved in the water sector. This will be not only a coordination mechanism but also an important mean to collect and disseminate gender information spread among many institutions. One of the most distinctive feature of GEWAMED is precisely the establishment of a knowledge base for acquiring and disseminating gender information at national level.
The project may also contribute to the adoption of national policies and other related instruments (strategies, approaches, guidelines, incentives and legislation) by involving decision makers and politicians in the processes of mainstreaming gender dimensions in IWRM. For this purpose the project will organize at least one national policy seminar in each SEMR country.
The project expects to generate a change in the mind-set and capability of individuals and water institutions that are not sufficiently gender-aware and promote the assimilation of the valuable information gathered by the project.
The project objectives and activities are largely based in the recommendations of the Workshop held, in the frame of the EC-INCO funded SSA "INGEDI", at the CIHEAM-MAIB Institute (Italy) in June 2004, thus reflecting the needs of the Region as felt by the participants to this event.
1. Project objectives and state of the art
The Project objectives are fundamentally based on the recommendations and suggestions made by the participants of the INGEDI Workshop held at the CIHEAM-MAIB Institute (Italy) in June 2004. They reflect the most urgent needs in terms of co-ordinated actions at regional and national levels as felt by the people directly concerned.
2.1. Objectives of the Project
The overall objective of the GEWAMED is to contribute to the mainstreaming of gender dimensions in the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Mediterranean Region, by promoting a dialogue among the countries of the Region and establishing regional and national information networks and coordination structures to promote the adoption of gender sensitive policies and build a common knowledge base.
The above mentioned objective will be achieved through the following strategic objectives:
1. Building a national and regional shared knowledge base on gender issues, policies, actions and measures to support gender mainstreaming in all processes related to IWRM.
2. Enhance the cooperation and dialogue among Mediterranean countries but also within each country promoting the exchange of information and its dissemination among national governmental agencies, NGO's research institutions, international organizations, private sector and communication media involved in gender related issues and the water sector.
3. Contribute to the adoption of national policies and other related instruments (strategies, approaches, guidelines, incentives and legislation) by involving decision makers and politicians in the processes of mainstreaming gender dimensions in IWRM
2.2. Expected project results
The strategic objectives will be achieved through the activities that will be undertaken under the seven work packages described later in the text. The project's results are closely linked to the intended objectives, as indicated below:
Related to Strategic Objective 1: Building a national and regional shared knowledge base
Output 1. Establishment of a national web site in at least 6 countries of the South East Mediterranean Region. (SEMR*). In principle, the following countries are of priority: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Turkey.
Output 2. Development of a structured national information system on gender issues related to water resources development and management in each of the MP countries participating in the Project and made available to all potential users of the web site. This includes the development of gender sensitive indicators.
Output 3. Development of a regional information system dedicated to gender issues in the domain of IWRM where information a regional interest will be stored and disseminated.
Related to Strategic Objective 2: Enhance the cooperation and dialogue at regional and national level
Output 4. Improved cooperation among partners and external organizations interested in this subject through the participation in regional workshops and national seminars
Output 5. Improved coordination and dissemination of information at national level by establishing a National Central Focal Point in the SEMR countries
Output 6. Greater awareness of the society in general and in the agricultural sector in particular of the importance of gender issues in the water sector.
Output 7. Dissemination of the results of the project to larger audiences
Related to Strategic Objective 3: Contribute to the adoption of gender national policies and other related instruments
Output 8. Contributing to the adoption by SEMR countries of policies and/or other instruments (strategies, approaches, guidelines, incentives, legislation) promoting a gender mainstreaming in the planning, development and management of water resources
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* In the context of this document the denomination of South East Mediterranean Region (SEMR) covers the following 9 countries :Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.
