“Arab Perceptions of Women Leaders in Media, Civil and Political Avenues.” Arab Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI) – Jordan. 2014-On-going.
For this assignment, AWRAD distributed 6,000 questionnaires across three countries (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Yemen). The aim of this project, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), was to provide an improved understanding of public perceptions towards women. The questionnaire contained both country-specific questions asking about women and country-specific media outlets, country-specific civil society organizations, and country-specific political parties and institutions. The questionnaire also asked a large set of unified questions to develop a regional understanding of public perceptions of women leaders and women leadership activity.
“Palestinian Media Monitoring of Gender Equality.” Radio Nisaa FM, DeutcheWelle. 2014.
AWRAD conducted a specialized media monitoring study for Radio Nisaa FM and the German “Deutsche Welle Akademie” Foundation, on gender. The study aimed to shed light on the reality of the Palestinian media with regard to gender issues from two perspectives; one about the perception and stereotypical portrayal of Palestinian women in the media, and another on the status of Palestinian female journalists (working conditions, job security and many other issues.)
“Gender Audit for GPC and Gender Trainings for Ministry of Interior (MoI), Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MoPWH) and the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology (MTIT).” Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) – Effective Governance Program (EGP). 2013-2014.
AWRAD was contracted by DAI/EGP to conduct a gender audit to promote organizational learning at the General Personnel Council (GPC) on how to effectively mainstream gender in its work. Simultaneously, AWRAD also worked with the GPC to plan and develop their Gender Strategy, a document on how to practically incorporate gender into its policies, programs, budget and structure. This was accomplished through on-the-job training. AWRAD developed and conducted a gender sensitization training workshop for senior staff at the MoPWH to help guide their two-year plan of action, and two-day training for staff of the MTIT to raise awareness for the development of the Ministry’s first Gender Unit. Working with the EGP team, AWRAD provided technical input and recommendations for the design of a Model Gender Unit, which could be introduced to partner institutions.
“Women’s Participation in the Social, Economic and Political Context in the Arab World.” (Covering Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen ). Arab Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI). 2013-2014.
For this assignment AWRAD distributed 6,000 questionnaires and conducted eight focus groups across three countries in the Arab World: Libya, Tunisia and Yemen. The aim of this project, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), was to address prevailing social and political norms related to women’s involvement in a wide range of sectors. After completing fieldwork in all three Arab states, AWRAD’s office team developed three PowerPoint presentations and a 100-page report for AWLI. The report highlighted the critical findings on women’s involvement in the economic and political sectors, as well as social perceptions, attitudes and restrictions related to their involvement. Particularly significant to AWRAD’s proposal, the final analytical report and PowerPoint presentations were designed to help influence policy on women’s inclusion throughout the Arab World by providing data on priorities and programming needs.
“Radio Nisaa FM: Three Years After; Results of a Survey in the West Bank and Gaza.” Radio Nisaa FM. 2013.
The survey aimed to understand the use of radio as a media outlet, study the landscape of radio stations among Palestinians, assess the status of Nisaa FM (96 Nisaa FM), investigate the socio-economic profile of listeners, assess the needs and priorities of listeners concerning issues relevant to women and gender equality, and provide recommendations to improve the standing of Nisaa FM. AWRAD authored a report detailing the findings of a survey carried out in all West Bank and Gaza regions which constitutes a follow-up survey to a smaller scale survey that took place during December 2010. AWRAD collected quantitative data on the perceptions and attitudes of respondents covering 635 Palestinian adults (18 years or more) in both the West Bank and Gaza, providing overall analysis and other disaggregation by region, gender, age, and education.
“Gender Assessment of Local Government and Infrastructure (LGI) Program.” Global Communities. 2013.
This gender assessment focused on two distinct gender gaps within local governance. Firstly the limited representation of women as elected officials in local councils and staff within LGUs and the MoLG. Secondly, gender disparities in the provision of municipal services. AWRAD developed a mixed-methods methodology to assess the extent both of these gender gaps and provided recommendations for how LGI could increase both accessibility of and uptake by women of these services through on-going programming and implementation.
“Monitoring and Evaluation of CPP’s Impact on Civil Society and Local Governments, Civic Participation Program (CPP).” Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 2011- 2014.
AWRAD implemented a series of evaluations to gauge the $20 million USAID-funded CPP’s on-going and cumulative impact on all beneficiaries. Over a three years period, AWRAD produced regular performance and impact data for learning, decision-making and reporting purposes. The assignment included the conducting of baseline and end-line surveys, thematic studies and periodic reporting. The thematic studies focused on gender and civic participation, youth and civic participation and promoting partnership and networking. Stakeholders included NGOs, CBOs, PA ministries and local government entities. A mixed method approach was adopted throughout.
“Customer Perception Gender Surveys and Gender Strategy Development.” Chemonics International– Palestinian Authority Capacity Enhancement Program (PACE). 2012-2013.
In partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Transport (MoT) and Ministry of Interior (MoI) AWRAD completed the field work for a gender survey among the citizen customers of both ministries to analyze and understand gender dynamics and differences between the sexes in relation to access to and perception of key government services. The results of the surveys will be translated into strategies to be endorsed by both ministries. AWRAD developed the gender strategy for the MoT through a highly participatory and consultative on-the-job training approach with the Ministry, developing a first comprehensive gender strategy for the ministry using scientific data results and tools.
“Beneficiary Impact Assessment (BIA): Village and Neighborhood Development Project (VNDP)” World Bank, Ministry of Local Government. 2012-2013.
The BIA provided an independent evaluation of the involvement of marginalized groups in the development process in the targeted communities and the equitable distribution of the VNDP benefits, with particular focus on issues of impact of implemented activities on all project stakeholders including Joints Service Councils, District offices, and project support group members, social exclusion based on gender, vulnerability and social power. The assessment included surveys with direct stakeholders and community members in addition to in-depth interviews and focus groups. At the conclusion of the evaluation, AWRAD authored a report, complete with a series of recommendations for programming in the final phase of implementation, which could assist in meeting program goals and benchmarks.
“USAID Gender Assessment and Training.” USAID. 2012.
AWRAD was the coordinating body for the gender assessment commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development Mission in West Bank and Gaza (USAID/WBG). AWRAD’s President was the co-team leader for the assessment and one of the four main authors of the assessment report itself. The assessment was conducted in coordination with USAID’s Office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GenDev) to inform the USAID’s strategic planning process for 2012-2014. The assessment provided an overview of the context in which gender issues were analyzed, identified systemic issues which cut across all sectors, detailed a sector-specific analysis of the USAID/West Bank/Gaza current program, assessing how it responds to the PA’s Gender Sector Strategy; highlighting the good practices, challenges, and gaps; and providing recommendations on entry points, expected results, and suggested indicators; proposed ways to integrate gender concerns into the USAID Results Framework; and outlined elements of an implementation plan for USAID/West Bank/Gaza. The field work for the gender assessment covered a three-week period of in-briefings with the Mission Director, Senior Staff, Technical Offices, and Program Office, and semi structured interviews with key informants, implementing partners and sub-contractors, government agencies, and NGOs. Data was collected on gender-based issues, constraints, and opportunities in the five main program areas of the WBG Mission. The recommendations were integrated into the Mission’s operational framework, including constraints, and processes, and provided concrete best practice examples from the West Bank and Gaza program and, from other parts of the world. The assessment was followed by a two-day training workshop with USAID program staff.
“SAWT Roundtables and Advocacy Activities.” International Republican Institute (IRI). 2011-2013.
The SAWT program is dedicated to commissioning research and conducting public opinion polling and policy research to support democratic and developmental discourse among Palestinians. SAWT is an Arabic word (noun) that has two powerful and relevant meanings: “Voice” and “Vote.” In pursuit of these goals, AWRAD conducts public opinion polling and policy research to support democratic and developmental discourse among Palestinians. SAWT' the program' will be the voice of the Palestinian public in policy-making forums through conducting scientific national and district public opinion polling; organizing focus groups on issues of relevance to Palestinians; publish brief issue analysis papers and policy reports on pressing issues; organize roundtable meetings with decision makers; utilize the media to raise public awareness about needs of Palestinians. The two major topics SAWT has addressed are honor killings and political freedoms. Through conducting several public opinion polls, convening of roundtables and discussion groups and a concerted advocacy campaign utilizing the media and prominent Palestinian figures and institutions, SAWT’s efforts have contributed to the broader civil society advocacy and mobilization efforts around this issue. The clause of Palestinian law that provides exemption for murders committed in the name of honor has been abolished.
“The Status of Palestinian Women Regarding Issues and Priorities: Findings of a National Survey and Focus Groups.” International Republican Institute (IRI). 2011.
In 2011, AWRAD conducted a national study on Palestinian women and gender relations. The research sought to explore the changing attitudes and values among Palestinians related to women’s participation in development and equality as a means of promoting democracy and development in Palestine. This was accomplished through a mixed-methods approach, including 3,000 quantitative survey questionnaires distributed equally among males and females on a national level, as well as eight focus groups across the West Bank and Gaza. Focus groups participants were specifically selected for their unique perspectives and many groups were comprised solely of women, women students, women activists and working women. At the close of the research, an analytical report was composed that presented and explained the data and offered conclusions for Palestinian society.
“Strategy Development for the General Union for Palestinian Women (GUPW).” United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). 2010-2011.
AWRAD partnered with the General Union for Palestinian Women (GUPW) to provide technical training assistance for the development of a four year strategic plan. Working as the principal consultant and supervisor, AWRAD worked with GUPW staff in a participatory process that included scores of meetings, focus groups, and consultations on the national and local level. Hundreds of young women were interviewed in order to assess their needs and aspirations when considering the final strategy. By the conclusion of the project, AWRAD and the GUPW successfully developed a refined set of concepts, objectives, and tools to help achieve overall goals.
“Women with Disability (WWD) in the West Bank: Baseline Survey.” Stars of Hope. 2008-2009.
AWRAD conducted a baseline survey of women with disabilities supported by the Stars of Hope Society (SHS) to help guide their mission, goals and programs in empowering WWD in The West Bank and to widen their access to WWD. The survey assessed the situation of the WWD in Palestine from different life aspects and identified major obstacles that face the women with disabilities in the West Bank. The findings of the survey were then used to build a user-friendly database for the SHS in-order to access women with disabilities. The sample consisted of 434 women aged between 18-40 years old and targeted three types of disability (visual, physical and hearing disabilities).The sample was built on the lists provided by the SHS and other lists from the Community Based Rehabilitation program and UNRWA. The researchers also used the snowball technique to reach as many WWD as they could. The survey reached women with disabilities through all the governorates of West Bank, and was able to access women in very remote areas and villages in the south and the north of West Bank.
“Compass: AWRAD’s Eye on Palestine; Data Trends.” AWRAD. 2015-On-going.
Compass is an initiative recently launched by AWRAD to provide tracking and analysis of survey data, trends and current events in Palestine and abroad. Compass is an effort to combine the data collected from AWRAD Polls with the analysis, perspective and academic background of AWRAD’s office experts and analysts. In effect, Compass focuses on the stories in the data that are not revealed on the surface, focusing on the deeper meaning of certain results, the circumstances that may have induced them and what these perceptions or responses could mean for future developments or initiatives. Examples of Compass topics include the peace process, empowerment of women and youth, prospects for Palestinian development and foreign relations.