Gender and Development

Cambodia: Support to Local Administration

Background & Rationale

Resources were provided from the GAD fund to recruit international and domestic gender consultants to prepare the project Gender Action Plan (GAP) for the proposed grant project on Local Public Administration. This project is the 2nd phase of the Commune Councils Development project (CCDP) designed to support the operations of 1,621 commune councils, in line with the commitment to gender mainstreaming set out in the Government's Rectangular Strategy.

Expected Outcome

The subproject aims to build on the CCDP's achievements on gender responsiveness by carrying out gender analysis on the roles, responsibilities and rights of women in local governance structures and the decentralization process. A GAP will be prepared based on the findings of this study and included in the project design. Activities include stakeholder consultations that will assess needs and constraints of both men and women in their involvement in decentralization and local governance processes.

Results to Date

The TA gender consultant carried out desk reviews and stakeholder consultations to assess women's needs and constraints in their involvement in decentralized and local governance and planning procedures. A review of programs on local governance, including those funded by other donors and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), was conducted to assess gaps in services and determine potentials for collaboration. A training needs assessment (TNA) of men and women commune councilors and clerks was also conducted to design training programs appropriate to their requirements. A TNA focusing on gender was also conducted for executing agencies and implementing agencies. A comprehensive gender strategy has been drafted for each component of the project.

Related Documents

• CCDP Gender Action Plan (Appendix 10)