Women's Empowerment and Capacity Building
Focus AreasApplication Guidelines | Grantee List
When parties to a conflict, such as government representatives and militias, come to the negotiating table, they often address the redistribution of power, resources, and territory. Rarely is there genuine concern for human security, addressing the needs and rights of victims affected by the violence, and empowering all members of society to make informed decisions about their lives and communities.
Women’s voices in governance continue to be absent due to their unequal representation in government positions, civil society, and business. As critical agents of social change, women must participate in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives that depend on them, especially during the process of conflict resolution.
The International Women’s Program supports initiatives that encourage women's empowerment and capacity building in a number of areas, including:
- peace and reconciliation efforts;
- electoral and legislative process; and
- disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, security sector reform, and reconstruction programs.
Geographical Coverage
The International Women's Program has limited its focus for the next two years to the following countries: Nepal, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Palestine, Iraq, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The program will continue to support organizations in Tajikistan, Burma, Cambodia, and Lebanon at a lower scale.
The program supports initiatives of regional or multicountry scope with the objectives of supporting women’s rights advocates sharing experiences, strategies and best practices; creating international, regional and subbing regional initiatives and networks; and promoting access to information.
