Management Response

: Georgia
: 2014 - 2015 , Georgia (CO)
: Mid-term Review of Project "Women for Equality, Peace and Development in Georgia"
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Georgia

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The mid-term review of the WEPD II Programme provided a good assessment of the strategies and approaches as well as progress of the Project ‘Women for Equality, Peace and Development in Georgia’ (WEPD II phase). Strategies rated as successful will continue to be applied in UN Women’s work in WEPD II phase in 2015 (which is the final year of the programme) taking into account all of the recommendations under the mid-term review report. Specifically, the recommendations of the mid-term review have already been taken into consideration while elaborating the annual work plan for 2015. The recommendations that fell beyond the scope of the WEPD II focus have been considered and incorporated into broader UN Women Georgia country programme as relevant, also recommendations that were addressed to UN Women Responsible Parties are not addressed in this management response.

: Approved
Recommendation: a): UN Women should continue the technical assistance for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 on national level by engaging with different state actors such as GEC and newly appointed Assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues. b).: UNW should devise a separate indicator and target for UNSCR 1325 NAP Implementation process (Activities 3.1 and 3.2);
Management Response: a) UN Women is in agreement with this recommendation, technical support for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 on national level will be continued in 2015 within the frameworks of WEPD II. While continuing active work with the GEC, UN Women will support newly appointed assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality in coordination of the implementation of NAP 1325. b)The indicator 3.1 has been added to the annual work plan for 2015: Evidence that sustainable coordination mechanism for implementation of NAP on UNSCR 1325 is created and functional under Prime Minister's Office
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018), Global norms and standards (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Advocacy, Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Gender equality, Human Rights
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
1.1. Organize an introductory meeting of the newly appointed Assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues with the representatives of NGO’s working on women, peace and security issues. WEPD Project Team; Women's Information Centre 2015/04 Completed UN Women has organized an introductory meeting of the newly appointed assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality, Sopho Japharidze with the representatives of NGO’s working on women, peace and security issues on 12. 02.2015.
1.2. Continue providing technical support to the Prime-Minister’s Office on Human Rights in organizing coordination meetings of the National Coordination Group (NCG) on implementation of the NAP 1325 on a quarterly basis WEPD Project Team 2015/12 Completed The meetings take place once in three months
1.3. Support the Prime-Minister’s Office on Human Rights to conduct the final conference on 1325 NAP 1st phase implementation, progress, results achieved and lessons learned WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/12 Completed The final conference on the implementation of the NAP 1325 (2012-2015) and identification of the key priorities for the next phase of the NAP took place on 21 December 2015 with UN Women technical support and facilitation.
1.4. To draft an indicator in consultation with the WEPD Responsible Parties during Strategic Planning Workshop WEPD Project Team; Responsible Parties 2015/04 Completed The indicator has been formulated as follows: Evidence that sustainable coordination mechanism for implementation of NAP on UNSCR 1325 is created and functional under Prime Minister's Office.
1.5. Incorporate the new indicator into the work plan of WEPD project for 2015 WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed The indicator was incorporated into WEPD Annual Work Plan for 2015.
Recommendation: a) UNW should advocate for the harmonization of Governmental participation in NCG: it is better to have there, as possible, people of similar level in hierarchy, similar position, function and similar authority; b) UNW should advocate for a stronger gender element (including a paragraph on NAP) in the IDP Law, i.e. via legislative amendment.
Management Response: Rejected. a) UN Women cannot be responsible for the composition of the NCG as the nominations to the group are made by relevant Ministers upon the formal request of the Chair of the Gender Equality Council. The NCG was formed in 2012 based on the request from Chair of the GEC and despite the change of the government after parliamentary elections in October 2012 the core members of the NCG have remained. This fact allowed for smooth continuation of the NAP implementation as institutional memory and ownership was retained. Members of the NCG were trained by UN Women and other development actors in different topics, on different occasions and it is critical not to waste this investment in the capacity development. b) The new Law on IDPs has entered into force on the 1st March 2014. As it has been communicated to UN Women, the Government of Georgia is not planning to make any revisions to the law in the nearest future . Any proposed legislative amendment should be integral part of the general legislation reform/amendment process. In this regard, UN Women has chosen the strategy of mainstreaming gender into the policies that concern IDPs such as for example, IDP Livelihoods Strategy and Action Plan.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: UN Coordination
UNEG Criteria: Gender equality
Key Actions
Key Action not added.
Recommendation: UNW could seek formal strengthening (or establishment - whatever applies) of Gender Adviser positions at all the State structures such as: the direct subordination and weekly or monthly communication of Gender Advisers with their respective ministers on NAP implementation;
Management Response: Rejected. Appointment of gender advisers has been an ad hoc process within the government structures. There is no state regulation yet how it should be practiced. There is no ToR or relevant decree/legislation defining the functions, roles and obligations of gender advisors with the Ministries or other state structures. The appointment of Gender Advisors so far has been systematized only within the Ministry of Defence, where ToR has developed and officially staff was appointed (as a part of their general positions they have to encompass this function). WEPD project widely assisted MoD in developing ToRs, defining the functions, and providing the capacity development training to gender advisers. Until there is an agreement in the government about uniformity/standard for mainstreaming gender into Civil Service Reform and specifically in relation to the establishment of gender functions within the Ministries, UN Women does not think it would be strategic to continue with ad hoc appointments of gender advisers that are also carrying out other duties and are not located strategically (position-wise) within the Ministries. UN Women Georgia Country office has developed a concept note and is trying to raise funds for a broader programme on mainstreaming gender into public sector and policy-making in Georgia. If these fundraising efforts are successful than the organization will have resources to approach this rather broad and systemic capacity gap issue.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Knowledge management, Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Gender equality, Efficiency
Key Actions
Key Action not added.
Recommendation: UNW should advocate for a stronger gender element (including a paragraph on NAP) of forthcoming MIDPOTAR Action Plan for the Implementation of IDP Strategy (2015+); b)in addition UNW has to re-introduce a coordination meeting format with MIDPOTAR as soon as possible.
Management Response: Accepted. The IDP Strategy for 2015-2016 and its action plan have been adopted by the Government of Georgia on 4th February 2014. After advocacy efforts of UN Women WEPD project paragraph 1.7. already includes the following statement: its preface states that respect of gender equality principle will be ensured during the action plan implementation process. It is also explicitly stated in the preface that the action plan takes into consideration the main principles of UN SCR 1325. WEPD project will ensure that IDP livelihood strategy is gender mainstreamed and there are gender indicators in the action plan for 2015-2016. UN Women will continue making efforts to reintroduce the coordination meetings between the lawyers and MIDPOTAR.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018), Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
4.1. Provide the feedback on IDP Livelihoods Action Plan 2015-2016 to MRA for gender mainstreaming UN Women CO including WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed Three gender-sensitive indicators were integrated into the Livelihoods Action Plan Adopted by the Prime-Minister of Georgia with the decree #128 on February 4, 2015.
4.2 UN Women team will take part in Steering Committee for Livelihoods Action Plan on regular basis upon the invitation of the MRA UN Women CO including WEPD Team 2015/12 Completed The Action Plan was adopted by the government on 18 December 2015. The majority of UN Women recommendations aimed at mainstreaming gender into this policy document have been taken into the consideration. These include: request for sex segregated data, inclusion of gender specific indicators and targets.
4.3 Advocate for further follow up meetings of lawyers and MRA staff for discussing recommendations developed by the lawyers during their practical work. WEPD Project Team 2015/12 Completed In depth discussion of the recommendation of the lawyers took place on 14-17 December 2015 meeting with the MRA high level officials (two Deputy Ministers along with few heads of Departments and Divisions attended the meeting). The MRA colleagues committed to implement 10 out of 11 recommendations shared by the lawyers at this meeting.
4.4. Organize regular coordination meetings between the legal clinics’ lawyers and relevant MIDPOTAR Deputy Minister WEPD Project Team 2015/12 Completed An introductory meeting of legal clinics lawyers with the Deputy Minister Ms. Gvantsa Shengelia was organized on 26.01.2015. Further meetings were organized on a quarterly basis and as required.
Recommendation: UNW could enforce utilization of results of Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) and other studies via NCG, forums and other high level instruments;
Management Response: Partially accepted. It should be noted that following the methodology of Participatory Gender Audit, it is fully voluntarily process and it is up to the decision of the audited institution to publicize the audit report and fulfil the audit recommendations. Two Participatory Gender Audits have been conducted in the frameworks of the WEPD Programme: PGA of the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia (MIDPOTAR) and PGA of Parliament of Georgia. While the Parliament consented to the disclosure of the audit report findings, the MIDPOTAR has not yet agreed to make the report public. This means that PGA reports, especially that of the MIDPOTAR cannot be discussed on forums and other high level gatherings. Despite this barrier, UN Women will continue advocating for ensuring that the recommendations of the PGA reports are implemented both by the Parliament and the MIDPOTAR. As for other studies, UN Women tries to use the studies as effectively as possible, via study presentation meetings, discussing of the study results on TV/radio talk shows, discussing the study results on high level meetings.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management, Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
5.1 Organize a meeting in Parliament and MIDPOTAR for ensuring that the recommendations of PGA reports are implemented into the practice of Parliament and MIDPOTAR. WEPD Project Team 2015/12 Completed
5.2. Integrate in the capacity building training of the MRA (which is annual activity provided by the WEPD project) to address some of the recommendations and come up with the action plan how to follow up and implement them in practice WEPD Project Team 2015/05 Completed General gender awareness has been conducted for MRA staff where one session was dedicated to track the progress on PGA report recommendations implementation and to draft the internal action plan for follow up actions on the prioritized activities.
Recommendation: UNW should reduce gender mainstreaming indicator 1.1 target considerably. The exact figure should be defined after careful discussions with stakeholders to ensure a participatory approach and proper RBM practice;
Management Response: Accepted. Due to the challenges with the finalization of the study Gender Analysis of Social Protection Policies, the advocacy work of incorporating 60% of recommendations into the national policies has started with the delay. The issue was discussed during the WEPD II Strategic Planning Workshop in January 2015 with the Responsible Parties, following the recommendations of the Mid-Term review of the Programme.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Advocacy, Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM, UN Coordination
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Relevance, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
6.1 Reduce gender mainstreaming indicator 1.1 target in close consultations with the Responsible Parties WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed Following the intensive discussion during the Strategic Planning Workshop conducted in Gudauri, Georgia on 21-25 January 2015, between WEPD Project team and Responsible Parties, a consensus was reached to reduce the target of indicator 1.1. from 60% to 20%.
6.2 Discuss the reduced target with the Steering Committee of the project and seek for their approval WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed Programme Steering Committee meeting took place in February and the issue of reducing the target of indicator 1.1. from 60% to 20 % was discussed and agreed.
6.3 Incorporate the reduced target into the WEPD II logframe WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed
Recommendation: While Legal Clinics (LC) weekly excel report forms dis-aggregate the data by gender, the LC beneficiary database template managed by UNW should have a gender column;
Management Response: Accepted. The new database template for 2015 already includes the gender column
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable, Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
7.1 Discuss the issue of adding the gender column during the lawyers monthly coordination meeting WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed The issue of adding the gender column was discussed during the lawyers’ monthly coordination meeting conducted on 8th December 2014.
7.2 Prepare and share with the lawyers the new database template WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed WEPD Project Analyst prepared and shared with the lawyers updated database template. Starting from January 2015 the lawyers are using the new template which has gender column
Recommendation: For UNW/WIC, after the local elections and replacements, repeated trainings on gender-responsive budgeting are a must for the relevant departments of the target authorities;
Management Response: Accepted. UN Women will organize training in GRB for newly appointed representatives of WEPD target local governments after elections of June 2014, as well as for the representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Assistance (MoLHSA)
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management, Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM, Not applicable, Operational activities, Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
8.1 Hire an international trainer in GRB to conduct two trainings in GRB for representatives of WEPD target municipalities and MOLHSA WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed The international trainer, Elizabeth Klatzer was hired in April 2014 after the open selection procedure to conduct two GRB trainings in September 2014
8.2 Conduct two trainings for newly appointed representatives of WEPD target local governments after elections of June 2014, as well as for the representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Assistance (MOLHSA) WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed WEPD team hired international expert, Elizabeth Klatzer conducted GRB training on 19-21 September 2014 for MOHLSA staff and on 23-25 September 2014 for representatives of WEPD target local governments.
8.3. Support the local municipalities to adopt the special decrees on creation the GRB working groups within the municipalities to apply the GRB more effectively WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed UNW submitted the letters of request for creating the local GRB working groups/committees as a result heads of municipalities in Gori, Zugdidi, Sachkhere, Tetritskaro adopted the special decree on crating the GRB working groups.
8.4. Conduct training on GRB tools for GRB working groups from 5 target municipalities WEPD Project Team; Taso Foundation 2015/12 Completed
Recommendation: UNW should finish the One Window-shop Principle Meetings (1-WSP) concept as soon as possible before October so that the project has enough time for joint WEPD-local authorities 1-WSP meetings and incorporation of the methodology for 2015 or hold these joint meetings anyway in parallel to the development and advocacy for the concept incorporation;
Management Response: Accepted. 1- WSP concept has been finalized and the advocacy for the concept incorporation has already started;
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Operational activities, Not applicable, Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
9.1 Conduct One Window Shoe Principle Meetings summarizing workshop to introduce one window concept to the decision makers from target municipalities and work on the action plans. WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/04 Completed On December 19-21, Women’s Information Center conducted one window summarizing workshop. The aim of the workshop was to introduce one window concept to the decision makers from target municipalities and work on the action plans, in order to implement one window methodology at the local level from 2015. Some of the municipality representatives expressed willingness to introduce the concept at the local level.
9.2 Finalize the Concept note on WSP methodology and incorporate the feedbacks received from the representatives of target municipalities’ in December at the joint training WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/04 Completed The draft concept has been sent out to the representatives of WEPD target municipalities’ after the workshop. The feedback received from them was incorporated into the draft concept by the expert, Aleksandre Svanishvili. The concept is finalized.
9.3 Conduct 1-WSP concept presentation meetings in all WEPD target municipalities: Gori, Marneuli, Zugdidi, Tetritskharo, Sachkhere with the participation of local decision makers and expert hired by WIC WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/05 Completed 1-WSP concept presentations have been conducted in March-April in all municipalities. The local Government expressed readiness to pilot application of 1-WSP methodology in Practice. WIC has submitted the letter of request for approving the concept notes and applying into practice. The heads of City Councils and Municipalities have adopt the special decree on approving the integration of 1-WSP methodology into their respective municipalities.
9.4 Technically support those target municipalities which expressed their will to pilot 1-WSP methodology implementation in their practical work WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/12 Completed Technical assistance has been provided to those target municipalities which expressed their will to pilot 1-WSP methodology implementation in their practical work.
Recommendation: UNW should enhance visual identification of UNW and WEPD on GINCS.NET.
Management Response: Accepted. The visual identification of UNW and WEPD on GINCS.NET is enhanced.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018), Ending violence against women (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Knowledge management
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
10.1 Discuss the issue with the RP responsible for the web-site administration (WIC) during the strategic planning workshop WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed The issue was discussed with the management of Women’s Information Centre during the WEPD strategic planning workshop conducted in Gudauri, Georgia on 21-25 January 2015.
10.2 Place UN Women WEPD project banner with logos of UN Women, Government of Norway (donor), WIC and Taso Foundation on the homepage of the ginsc.net WEPD Project Team; WIC 2015/04 Completed UN Women WEPD project banner with logos of UN Women, Government of Norway (donor), WIC and Taso Foundation is already placed on the homepage of the ginsc.net.
Recommendation: UNW should seek establishment of a NCG like entity for only the Governmental structures under PM for the enforcement of the Governmental commitment; UNW should try to ensure that NCG and GEC have to retain their respective functions: broader coordination (NCG), oversight (GEC);
Management Response: Accepted. As defined under Evaluation recommendation 1, Prime Minister’s Office on Human Rights will take over the chairing functions of NCG. GEC will retain oversight function. The assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues will supervise gender equality work within the executive branch of the government.
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Description:
Management Response Category:
Thematic Area: Global norms and standards (SPs before 2018), Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable, UN Coordination, Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
11.1. Organize a meeting of the UNSCR 1325 National Coordination Group (NCG) with the aim to take over the NAP 1325 coordination work from the Chair of Gender Equality Council, Manana Kobakhidze by Assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality, Sophio Japaridze. UN Women CO including WEPD Project Team 2015/04 Completed The meeting between assistant to the Prime-Minister in Human Rights and Gender Equality, Ms Sophio Japaridze and Chair of Gender Equality Council, Manana Kobakhidze was organized in December 2014. The decision of transfer of the chairing functions of the NCG to the Prime Minister’s Office was taken during the meeting. The agreement was achieved that Office on Human Rights and its secretariat will lead to organize the regular meetings for NCG that was already established under GEC in 2012. The composition of the NCG did not change in order to ensure the smooth continuation of the work started with the existing capacity of the trained staff from interagency group. The minutes of the meeting have been shared with the GEC and PM’s assistant, information was communicated with NGOs working on WPS issues.
11.2. Prime Minister’s Office on Human Rights will invite and hold quarterly meeting with NCG on the implementation of NAP 1325. UN Women CO including WEPD Project Team 2015/12 Completed While Prime Minister’s Office on Human Rights chairs the meetings, while the GEC retains general oversight function on implementation of the gender equality priorities and policies in the country and will be invited to attend the mid-term and final meetings on the NAP 1325 implementation.