Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BAKU118
2010-02-19 14:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

AZERBAIJAN: S/GWI FY2010 PROJECT PROPOSALS

Tags:  KPAO PHUM AID COM TSY AJ KWMN PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0233
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0118/01 0501409
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191409Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2407
UNCLAS BAKU 000118 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KWMNPREL KPAO PHUM AID COM TSY AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: S/GWI FY2010 PROJECT PROPOSALS

REF: (1) 09 STATE 132094 (2) 10 BAKU 24

UNCLAS BAKU 000118

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KWMNPREL KPAO PHUM AID COM TSY AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: S/GWI FY2010 PROJECT PROPOSALS

REF: (1) 09 STATE 132094 (2) 10 BAKU 24


1. SUMMARY: Per reftel, this cable summarizes the three
prioritized Post proposals addressing (1)prevention of
gender-based violence through public awareness in IDP
populated areas in the outskirts of Baku; (2) legal
empowerment of women through education and individualized
legal support in isolated communities of Nakchivan and
Goranboy; and (3) political empowerment of young women in
Gazakh, Tovuz and Ganja through leadership skills'
coaching to promote gender equity in local political
processes.


2. BACKGROUND: Violence against women, besides being a
violation of fundamental human rights, is also an
obstacle to development. Not surprisingly, in Azerbaijan
the fault lines of development, which can be found around
and beyond the capital city of Baku, coincide with an
almost total absence of prevention and response
activities to the issue of violence against women. Lack
of financial opportunities, community reproach and blame,
fear of losing children or not have the means to care for
them, lack of available support systems all deter a woman
from leaving a violent relationship. Lifestyles in the
country's interior are based on culturally traditional
values that shroud the issue of violence against women
with a veil of silence or shame, making awareness of
women's rights a compelling priority. This situation is
ever more critical for women displaced from their
original communities who lack any supportive network,
guidance or orientation. Public awareness of the gender
based violence issue and legal education on women's
rights and counseling go hand in hand in alleviating
these women's dilemma. In addition, political empowerment
of young women through leadership skills' coaching is a
key contribution towards a more equal and active
political representation of women in local political
processes and to introduce them as stakeholders in the
pursuit of women's social advancement.


3. Proposal No.1: "Public Awareness and Prevention
Initiatives on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)"
-------------- --------------
-Implementing organization: local NGO WARD (Women
Association for Rational Development) dedicated to
education for women's empowerment and equal participation
and with extensive international donor experience.

-Total Funding Requested: $50,000 (total project costs
are estimated in $56,000, from which WARD's contribution
is $6,000)
-Project duration: 9 months (April 1st-December 31, 2010)
-Project goal: improving protection of women through
overall -public awareness and community based campaigns
on sexual and gender-based violence and strengthening
women's capacity to responQthrough vocational training.
-Project sites: nation-wide prevention campaign and self-
reliance initiatives with a major focus in 14 target
areas heavily populated by IDPs in the outskirts of Baku
(Sumgayit, Bilesuvar) and in the regions (Agjabedi,
Agdam, Fizuli, Gabala, Yevlakh, Barda, Ganja,
Mingechevir, Imishli, Saatli, Beylagan).

-Project description/activities and budget:

(1) Publishing and hanging posters, bills, stickers,
street banners and billboards in highly visible site
areas ($20,000)--visibility materials were designed for a
previous SGBV campaign which reduces costs;

(2) Conducting 50 community-based workshops in IDP
dormitories in the outskirts of Baku ($2,000) --
Materials for distribution were produced for a previous
SGBV campaign in Baku, thus only small reproduction fees
are necessary. In addition, an 18 minute documentary
"Life Betrayed" on SGBV and human trafficking (with
awareness-raising elements) will be showed at the
workshops. This film was produced by WARD in 2008 and
has proved an effective visual aid in raising awareness;

(3) Preparing and broadcasting an awareness-raising TV
reel on SGBV. It will be 3-5 minutes long, and will be
produced and launched during the project period ($4,000);

(4)Organizing public events on occasion of central
Azerbaijani calendar dates such as Women's Day, Refugees'
Day, Human Rights' Day, etc. ($4,000) -- a variety of
formats (joint conferences, round tables) of public
events will ensure coverage of different audiences and be
a space for distributing printed materials on awareness;

(5) Organizing 10 vocational training courses on
hairdresser skills for women in IDP and refugee
communities in the outskirts of Baku (Sumgayit),where a
minimum 100 women will be beneficiaries and will also
receive a kit that contain the essential tools of the
trade (special combs, hair scissors, hair dryer, clips,
etc.) ($20,000).

WARD will contribute an estimated $6,000 to cover
indirect costs such as transportation ($1,350),
communications ($1,350),office space ($1,440),office
supplies ($1,170) and bank expenses ($690).


4. Proposal No.2:"Women for women Legal Support Project
in Nakchivan and Goranboy"
-------------- --------------
-Implementing organization: Women's Bar Association
-Total Funding Requested: $24,000
-Project duration: 4 months
-Project goal: to educate women on their privileges and
freedoms, on how to defend their rights and to provide
them with access to justice via legal advice on specific
cases.
-Project site: Nakchivan and Goranboy
-Project description/activities:

(1) A total of six seminars will be delivered (three at
each site) on the topics of gender equality (your rights
under the Law); domestic violence and early marriages;
and trafficking in persons. At least 150 participants are
expected ($7,800);

(2) After each seminar, the Women's Bar Association (WBA)
will provide pro bono advice to women with specific
issues and will refer them to lawyers, shelters and other
services available, providing follow up via telephone,
email and on subsequent visits to the regions. At least
80 women will receive this service ($7,800);

(3) During the seminars, three female community leaders
in ech region, who will serve as liaisons with the WBA
will be identified and invited to participate i a
training of trainers' at WBA's Baku headquarters
($4,200);

(4) After completing their training, the trainers will
jointly coordinate and conduct a one day comprehensive
gender seminar in their respective local community
($4,200)

Nakchivan is perhaps the most geographically remote and
politically constricted enclave in Azerbaijan. This
activity would grant a very valuable opportunity to
support civil society presence in a severely constricted
political freedom space.


5. Proposal No.3:"Political Leadership Program for Girls
in the Western Region of Azerbaijan: Gedebey Summer camp"
-------------- --------------
-Implementing organization: "Garb Resurs" 'West Resource'
-Total Funding Requested: $75,900
-Project duration: 12 months
-Project goal: to develop leadership skills in young
women-students (17-23) and channel their leadership into
politics.
-Project sites: Gazakh,Tovuz and Ganja (Western
Azerbaijan)
-Project description/activities:

(1)Ten four-day workshops to be held in Universities,
Colleges and NGO and political parties' institutional
facilities, (6 in Ganja and 2 each in Tovuz and Gazakh)
for 25 participants each ($16,500);

(2)A round table organized for 25 active girls selected
among workshop participants to discuss summer camp rules
and schedule (cost included above);

(3)A two-week summer camp including a community service
project, field trips and recreational activities with
hands-on leadership experiences in group and individual
projects and activities ($14,000);

(4)During the summer camp, a theater show will be played
by the girls and will encourage them to apply their
recently acquired knowledge and leadership skills
($4,000);

(5)A website will be created to disseminate information
on the project and to share detailed information on the
experience to contribute impact measure ($1,500)

(6) All previous staff preparation and training, workshop
announcement campaigns and participant selection
activities as well as monitoring and evaluation reports
are bundled here as a single activity along with indirect
costs: salaries ($7,800),honorariums ($16,600),
equipment ($4,000),in country travel ($6,000) and
administrative costs ($4500) and bank expenses ($1,000)
for a total of ($39,900).


6. All these local organizations have a good tracking
record of efficient and effective implementation of
previous assistance projects with the Embassy and other
international donors. The Executive Office's Assistance
Coordinator will be responsible for monitoring and
reporting on project implementation and has also based
the selection of these proposals on their alignment with
post's assistance policy priorities, as coordinated with
USG stakeholders represented at post, and the specific
recommendations provided by the Women's Issues officer at
post contained in reftel BAKU 24. Potential extension of
the vocational training program to other geographical
areas will draw upon the results of the project. To
ensure this, the Embassy's Front Office will take the
lead in coordinating potential future programmatic
interventions in an inter-agency working group fcusing
on Women Issues.


7. Please contact Assistance Coordinator, Silvia Taylor,
at TaylorSL@state.gov or (994-12)498-0335, Ext.4633, for
further reference and information on these proposals.


8. Post appreciates the Department's consideration of our
prioritized proposals and welcomes the opportunity to
contribute advancing women's political, economic and
social rights in Azerbaijan.

LU