Rapporteur – Africa CSW 67 At The African Women’s Development and Communications Network

1.Introduction and Background.

Since inception in 1988, FEMNET has strategically positioned herself as a convener, organizer and facilitator of critical dialogues around women’s economic justice and rights; transformative women’s leadership; sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) justice; climate justice and natural resource governance as well as, ending all forms of violence and harmful/ discriminatory practices against women and girls.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the global inter-governmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The CSW discusses progress and the gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. The outcomes of each session are forwarded to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for follow up.

Although CSW is a recognized global body entirely dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, it is still a space that many feminists, women’s rights activists, girls and women from Africa and organizations have limited access to. Following the virtual CSW66, FEMNET in collaboration with APWLD (Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development) held a series of reflective meetings on the meaningful and effective participation of global south activist before, during and after global advocacy spaces.

Last year, FEMNET members and partners convened the first-ever Africa CSW in Nairobi, Kenya. This bold, inclusive and powerful space was a response to the continued shrinking space for feminist and civil society engagement at the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). As a global body entirely dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, CSW remains a space that many feminists, women’s rights organizations and activists, girls and women from Africa have limited access to, especially because of the cumbersome accreditation and immigration processes as a result of the racist lens applied in visa processes, COVID-19 regulations, lack of access to vaccinations, expensive accommodation and meals, travel restrictions – economic and otherwise. Africa CSW in Nairobi resulted in women and girls in all their diversities congregating, communing, strengthening capacities, and collectively constructing their demands for CSW66 as informed by their lived realities, experiences, research, evidence and solutions.

This year FEMNET will convene African women and girls once again from all the 5 African sub-regions for the second Africa CSW; between 27th February, 2023 to 3rd March,2023 in Lilongwe, Malawi with the intention of ensuring that CSW rotates within the continent to ensure the incorporation and inclusivity of African women and girls in all their diversity.

2.Objectives of Africa CSW.

The objectives of the Africa CSW67 include;

• To facilitate intergenerational, intersectional and cross-sectoral interaction for in-person spontaneous networking and contributions towards the CSW outcome document and negotiations (reflections, exchange of ideas, sharing actions)
• To unpack and understand the CSW convening, including sessions on the history of CSW, its relevancy and advocacy pressure points
• To enhance women and girls’ participation in negotiations by collectively strategizing and linking with other women and girls who will be physically present in New York and are in Government delegations
• Expand the connection between those who are not able to engage due to discriminative rules around accessing the physical location of CSW.

3. Objectives of the Consultancy.

The rapporteur’s tasks will be:

• To record and document the proceedings from the sessions to be held from 28th February to 3rd March 2023 during the Africa CSW67
• Specifically, the rapporteur is expected to capture main action points and discussions in line with the training program that will be shared.
• To take photos and ensure these are woven into the report
• To Liaise with the meeting facilitator to ensure main points are well articulated in the report

4.Deliverables.

• A well written and acceptable report that captures all key highlights and actions from the meeting.
• Report that is organized according to the program.

5.Rapporteur Profile.

• Demonstrated experience in providing similar services for high profile meetings.
• Outstanding editing skills.
• Experience in report writing for non-profit organizations.
• Experience working in the women’s rights, gender and or feminist spaces .

6.Duration of Assignment.

• The consultancy will be conducted on 27th February to 3rd March 2023 .
• The consultancy is for a total of 5 days which will include 3 days for rapporteuring and 2 Days for report writing and consolidation.

7.Selection of Consultant.

The consultant shall be contracted by FEMNET. The contract will include Withholding Tax (WHT) deduction in line with laws of contracting where FEMNET is headquartered. A WHT certificate will be issued to the consultant. Payment will be done through bank transfer to the consultant bank account. FEMNET will not meet the costs of bank charges. Payment schedule will be agreed upon with the consultant upon successful selection. In case of team/firm applicants, a designated assignment contract manager (lead consultant) will be the contact between FEMNET and the team and responsible for all deliverables.

8.Intellectual Property Rights.

The consultant expressly assigns to FEMNET any copyright arising from the outputs produced while executing the service contract. The consultant may not use, reproduce, disseminate, or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate any output produced under the service contract without prior consent from FEMNET.

9.Terms of Service.

This is a non-staff contract and therefore the consultant is not entitled to insurance, medical cover or any other status or conditions as FEMNET staff.