Call for Consultants - Research Study -Evaluation of Women’s Political Participation in the 2018 Electoral Process

Terms of Reference

Research Study

Evaluation of Women’s Political Participation in the 2018 Electoral Process

PROJECT NAME

Strengthening Legislation for Women Affected by Sexual Violence and Exploitation in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

Women face a number of barriers to participation in public service and in equal access to justice. Socio-cultural barriers include traditional gender roles that emphasize the role of men as breadwinners and women as responsible for the household and childcare. Religious discourse writes off women as second-class citizens, treating them as minors in decisions related to governing their own lives. Women in Lebanon have been unable to achieve advancement in political participation with less than 5% of women occupying parliamentary seats.

ABAAD is implementing a 24-months project, funded by UNDEF, which aims to contribute towards advancement of political participation and empowerment of women through working with Civil Society Organizations active in this field and seeks to influence decision-makers in Lebanon to propose amendments to Articles 503-521 of the Lebanese Penal Code to enhance legal protection for survivors of SGBV, who are disproportionately vulnerable women.

The project strategy sets two tracks towards addressing key barriers that are interlinked and hinder the advancement in gender equality in Lebanon.  Underrepresentation of women in the parliament have delayed necessary adjustments and reforms in legislation that ensure equal access to justice for women and girls. Moreover, the low rate of women’s political participation is not only attributable to underrepresentation of women but is also a consequence of limited protection legal framework in the country for women and girls. Addressing these will encourage an increased number of women to become active legislators in the Lebanese Parliament.

The second track will entail lobbying and advocacy efforts with key stakeholders with high influence on legislation in Lebanon in order to ensure amendments and reforms to the articles 503-521 in the Lebanese Penal Code. During the project duration, a draft of a more equal and just law on GBV will be submitted to the Lebanese parliament for endorsement. The reformed GBV law will support the promotion of a life free of violence for women and girls in Lebanon. Finally, a campaign on legislation reforms and the findings and recommendations of the research paper will be widely disseminated to the wider public via social media, ABAAD’s website and online platforms.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

The first track includes a research study with the purpose of evaluating the last electoral process (2018) through:

• Identifying the specific barriers hindering the access of women to meaningful political participation in the parliament;
• Conducting an in-depth analysis of the causes pertaining to these barriers;
• Identifying good practices and means of amplifying them; and
• Proposing a set of recommendations to promote meaningful interventions to empower and promote women’s participation in the public sphere that can be applied in preparation of the next electoral process in Lebanon.

The research will aim to engage and consult with:

• Women-led organizations working on women political empowerment and participation
• Members of the Parliament – Political parties and their associated women’s committees
• Women informal and formal leaders that were candidates during the last elections
• A representative sample of Lebanese male and female voters

METHODOLOGY

The detailed methodology is to be determined and proposed by the researcher. ABAAD suggests a mixed research of qualitative and quantitative methods, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field surveys to collect the data. Roundtable consultations with the organizations to first discuss the draft findings and recommendations and a second round of consultations to endorse the final draft of the research.

DURATION

The research study is expected to be completed within a month.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Inception report prior to start of the research which includes the detailed methodology, work plan, and resources required.
• A preliminary report that details the methodology, the findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Two workshops with identified key stakeholders to discuss findings and endorse the research recommendations. 
• A final report of the research study.