Conduct a Feminist Research Project on an Emerging Topic Linked to the Impact of Gender Backlash and the Rising Anti-Rights Movement Against Women and Girls in the Greater Horn of Africa Region

Job Description

Location	Anywhere in the Greater Horn of Africa or Remotely
Timeline	8 weeks (January 19 – March 6)

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a civil society coalition bringing together grassroots women’s rights organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda. Established in 1995, SIHA aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations in the Horn of Africa, contributing to the empowerment of women and advocating for effective change. SIHA operates as a regional platform for mobilizing activists, vulnerable groups, and marginalized women, men, and girls to challenge the root causes of problems faced by women and girls in the Horn of Africa Region. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org  

BACKGROUND OF THE CONSULTANCY

Today’s environment, cutting across several countries in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) region, reflects a mass anti-rights movement against women and girls. This has manifested in the form of increased gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, child early and forced marriage (CEFM), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and teenage pregnancy, among several other indicators. These societal drawbacks are rooted in deeply entrenched and evasive patriarchal norms, religion, and harmful traditional practices, which feed into the systemic discrimination of women and girls. This is also evident in the lack of protective provisions for women and girls in civil and customary laws within national legal frameworks or due to a failure to effectively implement and enforce these provisions from an institutional perspective. This is in addition to the overall deinstitutionalization or reprioritization of women’s rights from government ministries and programs together with reduced funding for feminist organizing and women rights organizations at the forefront of advancing the rights of women and girls in the region.

As such, the overall purpose of this research project is to provide a platform for emerging feminist researchers to explore a topic of their choice as it relates to the ways in which gender backlash and the rising anti-rights movement against women and girls is manifesting in a country in the GHoA or across the region as a whole. Ultimately, the goal of this research project is to examine how the anti-rights movement is impacting women and girls and to inform advocacy efforts in how this can be combated, towards overall better gender equality outcomes in the chosen focus country or in the GHoA region.  

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

This consultancy aims to produce research product which explores any emerging topic reflecting on a specific manner in which current gender backlash or the anti-rights movement against women and girls is manifesting and impacting women and girls. This could be focused on a specific country in the GHoA or on the region as a whole. In this regard, the possible research product may look at themes related to culture, religion, the regression of legal or institutional protections for women and girls, the interference of foreign actors, the reduced funding for women rights organizations, or any other emerging and novel topic of choice. From the theme and topic selected, the research product must examine the lived experiences of women and girls impacted and best practices in how feminist, women’s rights activists, organizations and coalitions have taken a stand against the form of backlash/ the anti-rights movement.

The research product should also map out recommendations and tangible advocacy strategies in lobbying against the specific manifestation of gender backlash or the anti-gender movement examined, towards overall better gender equality outcomes for women and girls. Importantly, the researcher selected will have the flexibility to develop any research product of choice, whether it is a policy paper, a zine, infographics, a documentary or any other form of storytelling using different forms of multi-media. 

SCOPE OF WORK:

The research product developed must: 

• Reflect comprehensive study exploring any emerging topic which reflects on a manner in which current gender backlash/ the anti-rights movement is manifesting against and impacting women and girls. This could be focused on any country in the GHoA or on a topic relevant to the region as a whole.
• Explore the best practices of feminist, women’s rights activists, organizations and coalitions which have successfully taken a stand against this specific manifestation of backlash/ the anti-rights movement in lobbying for better outcomes in gender equality.
• Map recommendations and effective advocacy strategies in combatting the manifestation of gender backlash/ anti-rights reflected on.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology for this research product is open to the discretion of the researcher, dependent on what is sought to be produced. However, it must incorporate a comprehensively investigation of the experience of women and girls in the face of gender backlash and the rising anti-rights movement, involving local communities and women’s groups to ensure a participatory approach, which will inform the research process, enhancing its relevance and depth. Intersectional analysis must be applied to recognize the diverse identities and vulnerabilities of women affected, considering factors like age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability. Ethical considerations will guide the research process, ensuring informed consent and confidentiality. 

DELIVERABLES

Activity	Deliverable	Due Date
Conduct desk research detailing the research methodology, including the approach to remote data collection, data analysis techniques, and plans for community engagement and stakeholder involvement, including a timeline.	An inception report & meeting which will serve as a roadmap for the research process, outlining the steps to be taken.	10 days from contract signing.
Development of research product	A draft research product outlining the lived experiences of women and girls impacted by backlash/anti-rights movement and best practices in how feminist, women’s rights activists, organizations and coalitions have taken a stand against it. The product should present key insights, trends, and recommendations derived from the research process.	3 weeks from inception meeting date.
Developing of final research product incorporating any feedback	Final draft of research product.	One week from dissemination meeting.
Presentation of findings to Stakeholders	Power point presentation	Subject to availability of Stakeholders, ideally within a week from submission of final report

BUDGET

The budget range is from $5,000 to $7,000 USD, depending on the researcher’s experience level and whether travel expenses are involved. This range accounts for variations in expertise and potential travel costs. The budget will cover research expenses, data collection, analysis, research product development, and any other relevant costs incurred during the consultancy period.  

KEY COMPETENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in conducting research on the anti-gender rights movement and gender backlash in any country in the GHoA or regionally. Preference will be given to emerging or early career feminist researchers between the ages of 18 – 35 years old.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic, political and legal context of the country selected to research on/ the GHoA region, particularly the dynamics of violence and its impact on women and girls. Familiarity with the cultural nuances and gender norms prevalent is crucial for contextualizing research product findings accurately.
• Ability to conduct gender-sensitive analysis and intersectional assessments, considering factors such as age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability. The candidate should be adept at integrating a gender perspective into research product design, data collection, and analysis to uncover gender disparities and vulnerabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex research findings clearly and concisely. Proficiency in presentation skills is necessary for effectively communicating research product outcomes to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and community members.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards in research, including obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, and prioritizing the well-being of research product participants. The candidate should adhere to ethical guidelines and protocols for research involving vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected contexts.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Interested applicants should submit a technical proposal that combines the requested documents below. Documents that exceed the page limit requirements listed below will not be reviewed.  

1. CV(s) of no more than three pages. Firms should submit CVs for all key personnel included in the proposal. CVs should demonstrate previous experience creating similar research products. (30 Points)
2. A 4-6-page research proposal outlining an abstract of the consultant/firm’s proposed topic, methodology for the assessment, data collection methodology, and how their experience satisfies the requirements of the TOR. Extra points will be given for novel and creative research products, whether it is a policy paper, zine, infographics, a documentary or any other form of storytelling using different forms of multi-media. (30 Points)
3. A financial proposal detailing expenditure for the duration of the development of the research product (10 Points)
4. Samples of relevant work including any vibrant forms of storytelling, whether visual or written, research dissertations, previous assessments, survey analyses, infographics or data analysis. Samples should clearly indicate the applicant’s role in designing, delivering, and creating the product. (20 Points)
5. Knowledge and Experience of Gender and Human Rights Sensitive Approaches and an understanding of Social Justice, Human and Women’s Rights, and Women’s Legal Rights. (10 Points)
6. Proficiency in written and spoken English. Fluency in any language in GHoA region will be an added advantage.

Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered. Short-listed applicants may be invited for an interview at SIHA’s discretion. 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested individual consultants or consultancy firms should submit their application packet by close of business on Friday, December 15, 2025; at 5 PM EAT to this link: https://airtable.com/appHNyMhgTH7cHVt3/shrHxoEFWkTh5X87u.