Terms of Reference – To undertake a research study on the impact of women’s political leadership on democracy and development in Rwanda.

Project
Background

Since 1911, the political
structure of the world has experienced critical change, only two countries in
the world allowed women to vote. Today, this right is not almost universal, but
19.3 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide, are women.  Rwanda singularly
has the highest globally of 56.3 per cent of women parliamentarians in the
Lower House (and 34 per cent in the Upper House).  

The genocide of the
1990’s resulted in the death of an estimated one million people, of whom a
significant number were men, and over 600,000 more were displaced. 
Poverty levels rose tremendously; with refugee camps springing up in the
surrounding nations of this landlocked country. The civil war had a huge effect
on political representation of both men and women, and increased the number of
women headed households. As a result, many constituencies were left without
representation. 

After the genocide,
most of the men were dead and women were left to transform a new society and
build reconciliation and trust across ethnic and divergent groups. Women
participated in the transitional justice mechanisms and headed the Gacaca
reconciliation processes across the country.  Women also contributed in
the constitution-making process and held political port-folios during the
interim national government. 

The immense roles of
women in rebuilding the social and political fabric of the Rwandan society
steered President Paul Kagame’s interim government to put in place measures to
mainstream women and youth effectively into governance and at all levels of
decision-making.  Through reserved seats and the triple ballot electoral
system, women gained maximal representation of 48 percent in parliament and
cabinet positions during the 2003 national elections, and this was effectively
increased to 56 percent after the 2010 national elections.

Project
Rationale

Currently, only 13
Commonwealth member countries (Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Mozambique,
Tanzania, Uganda, New Zealand and Guyana, Australia, Canada, Swaziland,
Barbados, Belize) have attained the targeted 30 per cent quota for female
political representation in the upper and lower houses of parliament.  It
is to this end that the Secretariat is commissioning this research project in
order to evaluate the impact of women’s political leadership on democracy and
development in Rwanda. 

Through this
research, Rwanda can serve as a good practice for other Commonwealth countries
to gain insights and lessons learned for effective gender mainstreaming in
politics and decision-making, and visualise the positive developmental trends
achieved through women’s engagement in political leadership.  This
research should identify the socio-economic and cultural constraints that
affect women’s political participation, challenges experienced by women for
effective governance, the level of support from male counterparts, measures in
place for building future women politicians, and maintaining networks at the
national, regional, continental and international levels. 

Scope
of Assignment

The consultant is
required to conduct research on women’s political leadership in Rwanda through
primary and secondary research.  The research consultant(s) will
interrogate the impact of women’s high representation in decision-making on
development, and this will include, but is not limited to:

• The
  overarching success of women to reconcile divergent groups in Rwanda
• Their
  contribution in the political development of Rwanda
• Overcoming
  negative perceptions, stereotypes and stymied cultural views of women and
  how they are considered in Rwanda (whether this could discourage women
  from engaging in politics)
• Ascertaining
  the relationship between gender and politics, and reflecting if women are
  effectively represented in other sectors considering:

• Women’s
  access to politics; how equal/unequal is it?
• The
  different types of political parties and/or political structures and
  parties
• Determine
  the positive influence and impact of women’s leadership in education,
  socio-economic, health, corporate and private sectors, and civil society.

• Determining
  the impact of women’s engagement on issues of national importance such as
  the economy, investments, fair trade, poverty eradication, security,
  conflict prevention, peacebuilding, policy making, government
  accountability, overcoming corruption, ending violence, reconciliation,
  judicial and legal reforms, youth development, and recognising minorities
  and other disadvantaged groups in society.
• Presenting
  success stories to overcoming difficult situations and effective
  strategies developed by women in Rwanda, such as gender mainstreaming
  strategies to enhance women’s political participation in government,
  political parties; affirmative action policies, for example, quotas and
  reserved seats.

Methodology
of Primary and Secondary Research

The research will
overwhelming depend on secondary research inclusive of desk research
incorporating surveys, journals, internet searches, online databases,
government and media reports.  This is due to limited funding available to
embark on a country-wide field research, with the deadline to complete research
study by June 2013. 

The field research
should be conducted in at least two provinces and four districts in Rwanda. Of
the 14 cities, at least two should be included in the field research (data as
well as narrative) and the third will be the capital city, Kigali.  This
will ensure representation from the different regions, tribes, ages, religion,
etc.

• The
  research study would be focusing on pertinent questions including: 

• What
  specific differences have women leaders brought to the political agenda?
• What
  are the developmental trends achieved by women in post-genocide Rwanda?
• Describe
  the positive democratic impacts of women’s increased participation on
  communities, legislatures, political parties, citizens’ lives, and
  responsiveness to policy-making and governance?
• Has the
  patriarchal political culture changed, despite the leadership of women in
  decision-making?
• Do
  Rwandan women continue to work within political frameworks largely
  articulated by the highest male leadership?
• What is
  the relationship of the media and women parliamentarians, and how have
  they used the media for conflict resolution and peacebuilding?
• Can
  Rwanda be considered a positive political playing field across government
  agencies, political parties, public service, parastatals, etc.? 
• Have
  female political leaders been able to build synergies and cooperation with
  the political opposition, civil society, regional and international
  partners and key stakeholders?
• What
  mechanisms are in place to maintain the status quo and encourage the
  effective participation of women and men in the political process?
• What
  challenges have these women faced, are there any gender roles that have
  limited their full participation?
• What
  has been the contribution of women parliamentarians on the floor of the
  House, apart from the role of the Speaker and Clerk of the House? Are they
  active participants or spectators?
• Have
  women parliamentarians been able to champion debates beyond
  gender-specific issues such as foreign affairs, finance, environmental
  issues, etc.?
• Do
  women serve and chair parliamentary committees and what have been the
  views of other male and female parliamentarians on the role of women?
• Are
  there any differences in impact at the constituency level for male vs.
  women parliamentarians i.e. are women more responsive to their
  constituents needs?
• Has the
  new social networks i.e. face-book, twitter, posed a challenge to women’s
  communication with their constituencies?
• Reflect
  on the collaborative role of women leaders at the communal, provincial,
  national, regional and international levels with relevant stakeholders to
  strengthen development and consolidate democracy in Rwanda.

• Key
  Sources and Persons to be Interviewed

Desk research will
be country-wide, sourcing available information from government reports at the
local, provincial and national levels to measure opinions in the cities,
municipalities, towns, sectors, cells and villages. 

The inception
report/concept note of the consultant should reflect the number of persons and
calibre of persons to be interviewed in the field survey, institutions and
places to be visited, and oral or written responses as part of the methodology
to conduct the research study.  

The Field research
may include a cross-section of women political leaders at all levels of
decision-making, National Women Machineries, Ministers, Women Parliamentarians,
key electoral stakeholders, strategic partners, the electorate and recipients
of government policies and regulations.

Deliverables
/ Duration of Project

This consultancy is
open to legal entities registered in a Commonwealth jurisdiction.

• The
  consultancy is expected to be completed not later than 30 June 2013.
• The
  consultant will provide an inception report upon signing of the
  contractual agreement to undertake the research project.
• The
  consultant in its inception report will map out the issues, identify the
  research questions and articulate the methodology to conduct the field
  survey and desk research as well as the time frame to complete research
  project.

Style
and Length of Report

• The
  research report needs to be of sufficiently high quality and of relevance
  to external stakeholders.
• The
  main audience will be Ministers, National Women Machineries, International
  Agencies, Activists, civil society leaders, the media
  (international/local), electoral stakeholders, strategic partners and
  member states across the Commonwealth. 
• The
  final report must also include references for all specific facts and statistical
  data.

Project
Management & Reporting

This project will be
managed by Adviser, Gender Section, Social Transformation and Programmes
Division. The consultant is expected to submit the deliverables to the Head of
the Gender Section or her nominee on completion of the research project.

The Gender Section
will:

• formulate
  the terms of reference for the research project, and the criteria for
  advertisement on Commonwealth Secretariat website and other external
  websites,
• prepare
  the introduction letter and contractual agreement for the selected
  Consultant,
• present
  the contract to the consultant, monitor the progress of the research study
  and share updates with the Secretariat,
• respond
  to any queries raised accordingly with respect to the research project, and
• review
  the draft report, and follow-up with the consultant to incorporate changes
  accordingly within specified timelines.

Proposed
Budget

Fees for the
consultancy is the rate of £1,250 per week or £250 per day.

Qualifications
and Work Experience

• Degree
  in political science, law, gender studies and/or post-graduate degree in
  relevant fields.
• Areas
  of specialisation to include gender mainstreaming, gender budgeting,
  gender advocacy and gender monitoring and evaluation at an international,
  regional and national levels. 
• Valuable
  reservoir of experts and experienced professionals from the public and
  private sectors, and international organisations, with academic experience
  in research writing and development.
• Experts
  flexible to participate in multi-disciplinary assignments on gender and
  women’s political participation in leadership roles at decision-making
  levels in Rwanda.  
• Broad
  base experience working with public sector bodies in Rwanda Local and
  Central Government, Civil Society and international organisations.
• Proven
  track record working on a range of assignments delivered for the national,
  regional and local governments on gender and women’s political
  participation in leadership roles at decision-making levels in Rwanda.
• The
  consultant would require in-depth knowledge of political field and desk
  research, qualitative analysis, and understanding of national, provincial,
  local and communal constituencies.
• The
  consultant should have practical and substantive experience in conducting
  research in-country and writing of analytical reports.