Consultancy Proposal to Oxfam International for Tackling Gender
Issues Globally
1. Introduction
Introduction:
Oxfam’s Work on Gender Issues
As an international confederation of 21 independent charitable
organizations, we know that Oxfam as long been working on alleviating
poverty, inequality, and injustice worldwide. Operating in nearly 90
countries, as part of a global movement for change concerning
sustainability, women's right and climate changes and advocacy against
unfair economic systems, Oxfam is an organization committed to
challenging the root causes of poverty and inequality, working on a range
of issues, including emergency relief during humanitarian crises, women's
rights, climate justice, and advocacy for fairer economic systems.
Oxfam has also been actively working to address gender issues
including the fight against child marriage. As you known, child marriage is
recognized as a violation of human rights, affecting about 1 out of 3 girls,
in the developing world, which estimates that about 12 million girls are
married each year before the age of 18, being that 10 per cent are
married before the age of 15. With that, according to UNICEF global
databases, about 21 per cent of young women (aged 20 to 24), nowadays
were married as a child.
We understand the rights-based approach that Oxfam employs to
tackle child marriage is embedded in addressing root causes and
underlying socio-economic determinants of the issue that mainly impacts
girls and young women in low- and middle-income countries.
Today, Oxfam is working to combat child marriage through a series
of ambitious programs that will help young girls find their own power and
change the way we think about gender. One of their most significant
programs, "Creating Spaces," focuses on reducing child marriage and
gender-based violence in South Asia and Southeast Asia. This program
works with local communities to promote positive gender norms and
strengthen the legal frameworks protecting women and girls. Oxfam has
been pivotal in raising the marriage age for girls in countries like
Indonesia and supporting grassroots movements that advocate for gender
justice.
Through community engagement and public campaigns, Oxfam
aims to shift social norms that perpetuate child marriage, particularly in
rural and marginalized areas.
In this Proposal, we aim to protect girls who are at risk of early
marriage, and to address the concerns of girls and women who are
already married in several undeveloped countries.
We are fully aware that to decrease child marriage, coordinated
efforts across education, health, and policy are essential. A lack of
education increases the risk of child marriage, while early pregnancies
and limited healthcare access expose young brides to severe health risks.
In addition, weak legal systems do not provide protection against early
marriages for girls, especially in conflicted regions.
Education has been quite a big contributing factor to the issue of
child marriages, especially in most low-income societies wherein marriage
is given higher value by parents than schooling. Girls who were not given
access to education are three times more likely to marry before they turn
18, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty and severely limited futures.
Early marriages also lead to early pregnancies, exposing young
females to severe health risks, such as maternal mortality and infant
death. These young brides usually are very much limited in access to
health care and are at high risk of gender-based violence, which
negatively affects the physical and mental well-being of both.
In addition, weak enforcement of the law or legal loopholes allow
the practice of child marriage to continue. In conflict zones, families may
resort to marrying off their daughters for perceived protection, further
exacerbating gender inequality and contributing to societal instability.
Furthermore, a substantial disparity also exists between
socioeconomic groups. Girls from the poorest quintile are 2.5 times more
likely to marry in childhood than those from the wealthiest quintile. In
India, the overall age at marriage is 19.7 for women belonging to the
richest quintile class while it is merely 15.4 for their poorer counterparts of
the same gender. Same for the Dominican Republic where half of the
poorest females are married by age 17 compared to 21 among the richest
females.
2. Technical Proposal
2.1. Context
Gender and Development
Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a key driver of
economic growth, poverty reduction, and peacebuilding. Research shows
that countries with higher levels of gender equality have better
development outcomes in areas such as health, education, and economic
growth. Indeed, development without the lenses of gender equality could
be described as incomplete. Trying to reach such equality has shown to be
a lever in other important aspects of development such as more resilient
economic development. In a similar way, tackling gender inequalities
helps more fragile and conflicted countries to reduce such violence and
instability. Nowadays, violence is deeply rooted within patriarchy and
gender norms seem to have a direct impact on peace and security.
Empowering women and gender minorities in general is thus in many
ways part of the solution for more stable, resilient and sustainable
economies. However, in many developing countries, gender inequality
remains entrenched, impeding progress. Issues such as unequal access to
education, limited economic opportunities for women, gender-based
violence, and inadequate representation in political decision-making
continue to hamper development. By choosing to focus on child marriage,
we intend to address all those themes as they are deeply interconnected.
Child marriage endangers, and sometimes completely enables, access to
education and economic activities but also their rights to health and
opportunities in general.
Methodology
The goal of this consultancy is to provide valuable practical
recommendations that Oxfam can integrate in its global gender strategy.
More specifically, it will enhance its impact on all fields associated with
child marriage.
Because Oxfam faces the complex challenge of adapting its
philosophy to the realities of different socio-cultural contexts, the
following methodology has been carefully crafted by our team, through
sections using both quantitative and qualitative research, to ensure that
all dimensions are deeply studied in order to generate culturally
appropriate and context-specific strategies for promoting gender equity in
general and in this specific project.
Section 1: Preliminary assessment
As mentioned above, although the rhetoric of gender analysis gives
the illusion of universality, when applied to complex local situations, it can
lead to inaccurate understanding and inadequate interventions.
Consequently, the first phase of our consultancy shall be focused on the
need to understand child marriage as a phenomenon, as well as its social
and cultural context.
Literature Review: Review existing literature on child marriage, as
well as Oxfam’s internal reports and evaluations related to the
matter. This will help identify gaps in Oxfam’s current gender
approach and best practices from other international organizations.
Focus mainly on academic papers, reports from NGOs (e.g., UNICEF,
Oxfam, Girls not Brides, UNFPA), and policy frameworks.
ADD BULLETPOINT ABOUT EXISTING CASES
Data Collection: Gather quantitative data on child marriage rates,
age of marriage, socioeconomic factors, gender dynamics, marital
history, as well as education, fertility and other factors which may
be affected by early marriage.
Stakeholder Consultations: Conduct interviews with Oxfam’s
gender specialists, regional staff, and local partners to gather first-
hand insights into the challenges they face in different regions, as
well as feedback on the effectiveness of current interventions.
Indicators Development: Create progress indicators in all areas of
interest that surround child marriage: education, health, poverty,
conflict, gender violence, etc.
Section 2: Mapping
In order to understand where Oxfam’s efforts are better applied,
identifying high-risk areas and vulnerable populations is critical.
Demographic Assessment: Use demographic data to map out
regions with the highest incidence of child marriage.
Socioeconomic Analysis: Cross the map with other socioeconomic
variables in order to identify how they contribute to child marriage.
External Influences: Work with experts to better understand how
traditions and religious beliefs affect child marriage practices, given
its significance in the social structure of undeveloped countries,
where child marriage is more prominent.
Section 3: Partnerships
Given our limited time and inability to do fieldwork directly, forging
alliances with local organizations and stakeholders is essential. Their
experience and established relationships inside the communities allow us
to use their knowledge and resources to gain valuable insights.
Identify Key Stakeholders: Create a list of stakeholders of
interest, including government bodies, religious leaders, and NGOs.
Create Partnerships: Reach out and collaborate with them in
order to align efforts and acquire complementary data. Possibly
leverage on their on-site resources.
Legal Framework Analysis: Evaluate existing laws, policies, and
enforcement mechanisms related to child marriage. Identify gaps
and areas for improvement.
Section 4: Development of strategic recommendations
Create a comprehensive list of recommendations by target area:
health, economic, educational, legal, cultural and behavioral, etc.
Maximize Oxfam's resources for successful intervention, in order to create
tailored strategies that will contribute to positive impact on child
marriage. We will make faster, longer-lasting change if we listen to those
affected by child marriage and work across sectors and with diverse
stakeholders at all levels to end the practice. This work needs to be
gender transformative.
3. Financial Proposal
Considering the experience of our team and that our consultancy
will span 100 hours, each hour will cost 12€. Consequently, each team
member will receive a salary of 1200€. However, it is important to note
that each member’s renumeration is subject to a 5% rate for taxes and
social security, which equates to 9.6% (960€) of the total budget.
Additionally, the expenses described in the table below, including
marketing (communication campaigns), the data collection and meetings
are fundamental for the development of this consultancy. They contribute
to a data-driven approach that help us combat child marriage.
Percentage of the
Category Amount (€) Description
Budget
Compensation for
the 4 team members,
Salaries 4,800€ 48%
each receiving
1,200€.
Tax and social
security
Taxes and Social
960€ 9.6% contributions for the
Security
salaries of the 4 team
members.
"State of the Art"
posters and
Communication production of
1,100€ 11%
Campaigns educational materials
for community
outreach (5-6h)
Preliminary research
and data collection
on the impact of
Data Collection 1,250€ 12.5%
child marriage and
other gender issues
(2h/week)
Coordination of
meetings and
workshops between
local authorities and
Meetings 1,200€ 12% NGOs to promote
collaboration and
exchange of
knowledge
(estimated 6h).
Contingency and 690€ 6.9% Allocate resources to
cover unforeseen
expenses during the
Adjustments Fund
project or additional
needs that may arise.
Total 10,000€ 100%
PARAGRAPH ABOUT OURSELVES
We are 4 students studying International and cooperation and
Humanitarian Aid.
2 of us have a background in political science.
One has a background in political science with a specialisation in
public policies.
We all have already worked on similar research subjects throughout
our bachelor’s degree.
We have a special interest in gender studies.
Lucie is currently studying sociology and has partaken in 2019 in a
one-month intercultural exchange in Burkina Faso during which they
have elaborated a play on forced-marriage with a local company.
4 students in international cooperation
Background on political science with specialization in public policies
and sociology
Experience in similar projects and research through our bachelor's
degree
Experience in gender studies
1-month intercultural project in Burkina Faso and elaboration of a
play on forced-marriage with a local company.
https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/theory-change/
https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/theory-
change/measuring-progress/
https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-
and-education/
https://annas-archive.org/slow_download/
08a7269b2fb938768d2475c1dd54421d/0/0 !!!
https://annas-archive.org/slow_download/
b97779878386707ff8cca5f9373bb927/0/0 !!!!
https://data.worldbank.org/topic/gender
United Nations Children’s Fund, Child Marriage: Latest trends and future
prospects, UNICEF, New York, 2018.
Child marriage is recognized as a violation of human rights, affecting
about 1 out of 5 girls, in the developing world, which estimates that about
12 million girls are married each year before the age of 18, being that 10
per cent are married before the age of 15. With that, according to UNICEF
global databases, about 21 per cent of young women (aged 20 to 24),
nowadays were married as a child. Furthermore, a substantial disparity
also exists between socioeconomic groups. Girls from the poorest quintile
are 2.5 times more likely to marry in childhood than those from the
wealthiest quintile. In India, the overall age at marriage is 19.7 for women
belonging to the richest quintile class while it is merely 15.4 for their
poorer counterparts of the same gender.
According to UNICEF (2018), although the practice of child marriage
has continued to decline around the world, it is still a prevalent practice in
undeveloped countries. In South Asia, a girl’s risk of marrying in childhood
has declined by more than a third, from nearly 50 per cent a decade ago
to 30 per cent today, largely driven by great strides in reducing the
prevalence of child marriage in India. Nonetheless, South Asia remains
home to the largest total number of child brides, with more than 40 per
cent of the global burden. On the other hand, Of the most recently
married child brides globally, close to 1 in 3 are now in sub-Saharan Africa,
compared to 25 years ago when the proportion was 1 in 7. Evidently, a lot
of progress still has to be made in order to end this practice across the
globe.
As Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty and inequality, addressing
child marriage aligns with its mission to empower vulnerable populations
and promote gender equality. We understand the rights-based approach
that Oxfam employs to tackle child marriage is embedded in addressing
root causes and underlying socio-economic determinants of the issue that
mainly impacts girls and young women in low- and middle-income
countries.
It is our knowledge that Oxfam is working to combat child marriage
through a series of ambitious programs such as the "Creating Spaces”
program, which focuses on reducing child marriage and gender-based
violence in South and Southeast Asia. This program works with local
communities to promote positive gender norms and strengthen the legal
frameworks protecting women and girls. Through community engagement
and public campaigns, Oxfam aims to shift social norms that perpetuate
child marriage, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
Oxfam has, without a doubt, been pivotal in raising the marriage
age for girls in countries like Indonesia and supporting grassroots
movements that advocate for gender justice. However, we are aware of
the challenges that the organization faces in tackling such a systemic
issue. In many regions where child marriage is prevalent, cultural
traditions and beliefs are deeply entrenched, which causes Oxfam's efforts
to face resistance from local communities that view early marriage as a
norm or economic necessity.
In this Proposal, we aim to protect girls who are at risk of early
marriage, and to address the concerns of girls and women who are
already married in several undeveloped countries. Therefore, we believe
that through our carefully crafted methodology, and with our experience
in the field, we are able to understand the underlying conditions that
enable and fuel child marriage, allowing its future extermination. To
relieve Oxfam’s struggles in dealing with this issue, and to allow positive
impact, we are fully aware that coordinated efforts across education,
health, and policy are essential.
Girls who were not given access to education are three times more
likely to marry before they turn 18, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty
and severely limited futures. Early marriages also lead to early
pregnancies, exposing young females to severe health risks, such as
maternal mortality and infant death. These young brides usually are very
much limited in access to health care and are at high risk of gender-based
violence. In addition, weak enforcement of the law or legal loopholes allow
the practice of child marriage to continue. In conflict zones, families may
resort to marrying off their daughters for perceived protection, further
exacerbating gender inequality and contributing to societal instability.
