Research Consultant to -Conduct a Study on the Decline of Gender-Responsive State Spending for Socio-Economic Rights and its Link to the Rising Anti-Rights Movement Against Women and Girls in the Greater Horn of Africa Region (Ethiopia and Uganda)

Job Description

Location	Uganda and Ethiopia or remotely
Timeline	30 days over 8 weeks (January 20 – March 20)

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. According to the National Survey on Violence in Uganda, 95% of women are reported as experiencing physical and/or sexual violence. Additionally, according to research conducted by UNICEF, 5 million girls were found to be married before the age of 18, with 1.3 million married before the age of 15. This also correlates with the high rates of teenage pregnancy, at 25% in Uganda, one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and a 46.4% dropout rate of female pupils from as early as primary school.

In the Amhara region alone, 64.8% of women have faced some form of GBV. Additionally, in the course of the Tigray conflict, at least 40% – 50% of women and girls faced GBV in the context of the war in Tigray, with CRSV being used as a tool to institute fear, degrade and humiliate ethnic minorities. Ethiopia is also flagged as having one of the highest rates of CEFM, with 4 in every 10 girls getting married before the age of 18. Additionally, rates of teenage pregnancy are currently at 13% in Ethiopia. 

These statistics are further exacerbated by environmental and socio-economic factors such as climate change, competition over land, and food and water insecurity which have a dire impact on the social and economic livelihood of women and girls, particularly in the GHoA. Overall, these compounded issues have an impact on access to education, health, social protection services, and high rates of unemployment for women and girls. In Uganda, unemployment currently stands at 12.6%, with women accounting for 15% of this overall figure, in comparison to men, who stand at 11%. Rates of unemployment are similarly alarming for women in Ethiopia, with approximately 63.8% of women currently unemployed. In Uganda, 649,000 women and girls between the ages of 15 -19 are sexually active. However, 55% of this number do not have access to contraception and do not receive adequate maternal and newborn care when they do give birth. This is also consistent in Ethiopia with 16% of all women between the ages of 15-49 having unmet sexual reproductive health needs, with particularly high numbers for girls and young women.

Despite this alarming data, the government’s gender-responsive spending in education, health, and other social services remains low, perpetuating this vicious cycle, which ultimately circles back to the rising anti-rights movement against women and girls. Under the Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases, member states of the then Organization of African Unity came together and adopted their commitment to use 15% of their state budget towards health. However, in Uganda, state expenditure on health, education, and social protection is only 4.1%, 8% and 0.2% of the country’s national budget, respectively.

In Ethiopia, however, there has been some improvement. State expenditure in education increased by 11% from 23.01% to 34.01%. Though expenditure on health increased by 26%, it only accounts for 8.3% of the total annual budget, below the 15% target set under the Abuja Declaration. Additionally, Ethiopia’s spending on social protection is only 1.6% of its GDP. 

As such, the overall purpose of this research is to factually demonstrate the causal link between state expenditure and the rising anti-rights movement against women and girls, using Uganda and Ethiopia as case studies. Ultimately, the goal is for this research to inform advocacy efforts to increase government expenditure across the GHoA on health, education, and social protection services, towards broader and better gender equality outcomes for women and girls. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

This consultancy aims to produce a research paper which explores the decline of gender-responsive state spending for socio-economic rights and its link to the rising anti-rights movement against women and girls in the GHoA. This will be with a specific focus on Uganda and Ethiopia. The research will examine the lived experiences of women and girls, looking at the socio-economic dimension of their livelihood together with how the anti-rights movement manifests in their specific contexts. The research will then explore trends in government spending on health, education and social protection for women and girls and its causal link to the rising anti-rights movement.

It will further examine best practices in how feminist, women’s rights activists, organizations and coalitions have taken a stand against this movement and successfully lobbied for increased, gender-responsive state funding through advocacy. The research will then conclude by mapping out recommendations and tangible advocacy strategies in lobbying for increased government spending in health, education and social protection towards broader and better gender equality outcomes for women and girls.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Conduct a comprehensive study on the causal link between gender-responsive state spending and the rising anti-rights movement against women and girls in Uganda and Ethiopia.

• Analyze how the anti-rights movement currently manifests for women and girls and the status of their socio-economic livelihood in these contexts.

• Explore the best practices of feminist, women’s rights activists, organizations and coalitions which have successfully taken a stand against the anti-rights movement and lobbied for increased gender responsive state spending for women and girls.

• Map recommendations and effective advocacy strategies in increasing gender-responsive state spending in Uganda and Ethiopia.

• Develop a policy brief which outlines the scope, analysis, findings and recommendations of the research.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology for this study will adopt a hybrid approach, combining qualitative techniques such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with quantitative data analysis in the form of a desk review of current and varied data sources. This will be to comprehensively investigate the experience of women and girls in the face of the rising anti-rights movement and the status of their socio-economic livelihoods in Uganda and Ethiopia. This is also to analyze the causal link between these components and gender-responsive state spending for health, education and social protection and how appropriate investment in this expenditure can achieve better gender equality outcomes for women and girls. In addition to interviewing stakeholders within the respective governments of these countries, community engagement will be prioritized. This will involve local communities and women’s groups to ensure a participatory approach, which will inform the research process, enhancing its relevance and depth.  

Intersectional analysis will 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, confidentiality, and prioritization of respondents’ well-being. Additionally, capacity building initiatives will involve training local researchers and enumerators to enhance research quality and sustainability within the community. Triangulation of data and stakeholder engagement with key actors will further validate findings and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the study.

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.	One week from contract signing.
Conduct study, including key informants and focus group discussions with stakeholders to gather and document evidence.	A draft report document of 35 to 40 pages (excluding annexes and data samples) outlining the findings and analysis of the research. The report should present key insights, trends, and recommendations derived from the research process.	3 weeks from inception meeting date.
Meeting with SIHA team to disseminate findings in draft report and receive feedback.	Power point presentation.	One week from submission of draft report
Drafting of final report incorporating any feedback & policy briefs	Final draft of report. policy/research brief	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 $7,000 to $9,000 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, report writing, and any other relevant costs incurred during the study period.  

KEY COMPETENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research on the anti-gender rights movement, the socio-economic rights of women and girls and gender-responsive state spending on health, education and social protection in Uganda and Ethiopia.

• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic and political context of Uganda and Ethiopia, particularly the dynamics of conflict and its impact on women. Familiarity with the cultural nuances and gender norms prevalent in societies within Uganda and Ethiopia is crucial for contextualizing research 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 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 report writing and presentation skills is necessary for effectively communicating research 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 participants. The candidate should adhere to ethical guidelines and protocols for research involving vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected contexts.

• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

 

How to Apply

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 conducting similar research. (30 Points)
2. A 4-6-page research proposal outlining the consultant/firm’s proposed methodology for the assessment, data collection methodology, and how their experience satisfies the requirements of the TOR. (30 Points)
3. A financial proposal detailing expenditure for the duration of research (20 Points)
4. Up to ten pages total of relevant previous work. Samples of relevant work include previous assessments, survey analyses, and data analysis presentations. Samples should clearly indicate the applicant’s role in designing, delivering, and drafting 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 Uganda and Ethiopia will be an added advantage.

 

APPLICATION  

Interested individual consultants or consultancy firms should submit their application packet by close of business on Monday, January 13, 2025; at 5 PM EAT to this: link.