IAWRT FOKUS Funding and Support

1a Goals To strengthen and expand the IAWRT presence and activities in the South to enable media women in the South to access professional development, training, contact and resource sharing through the International network in order to build capacity, produce programs and identify and work towards local gender development goals.Indicatorsa. Number of new Chapters formed and members enrolled; b. Number of activities carried out by Chapters;c. Number of scholarships and training opportunities offered;d. Number of member requests for activities and local programs.e. Number of programs and documentaries made.f. Number of forums, screenings & other events utilising programs and documentaries produced.
1b) How do you assess the project’s prospects of reaching the predefined goals?
The project is on track and on target to meet most of its predefined goals in areas where funding was available during the financial year. However, progress is still hindered by the funding cycle and the unavailability of funding until at least February each year. As there is no possibility of carrying forward unspent funds, this creates challenges in completing individual initiatives and in paying suppliers, especially in the three major projects, i.e. Anti-trafficking, Half-widows and Anti-FGM.This assessment is based on annual project visits, evaluations and face-to-face meetings. The regional Board members report to the Board on a regular basis and the Board monitors progress - including budgets – at each meeting. Chapter Heads provide regular reports to the Board. 1c Results. 1. Maintain and develop IAWRT’s organisational capacity, especially in areas of governance, reporting structures, financing, communications and representation. Consolidate and extend IAWRT’s outreach, increasing membership and chapter development, especially in the South, and encouraging joint initiatives and partnerships.a. Held 6 Board meetings, min 2 face-to-faceb. Held 1 Chapter Head meeting, face-to-face c. Prepared to host the 34th IAWRT Biennial Conference in 2011d. Organised and co-hosted two regional conferences e. Conducted project and program audits.f. Increased the amount of co-funding for initiativesg. Increased website hits by 10% p.a. (Counting started mid-2010 so this is projected result)h. Completed all chapter pages on website within one year of inauguration of chapteri. Increased content of website by 10% p.a.j. Increased program exchange and feedback by 10% p.a.k. Attended at least 2 international, 2 regional events relevant to IAWRT’s role.l. Enrolled 10% new members. m. Introduced dedicated part-time secretariat.n. Four new chapters formed (of the minimum 5 new Chapters target for the whole funding period): Moldova, Tanzania, South Africa and USA. Uganda is almost ready.o. Minimum 2 activities carried out by each chapter.p. Minimum 3 joint initiatives organised between IAWRT and other organisations: With UNDP in Cameroon; with Philippine Commission on the Status of Women at Manila regional meeting and with WITNESS at video-advocacy workshop in Manila.
2. Build the capacity of media women through skills sharing and professional development with workshops, training, scholarships, awards and other targeted initiatives.a. Held 5 workshops, seminars, conferences and other capacity-building meetings involving IAWRT Board, Chapters or members.b. Held minimum 2 formal training initiatives, in Manila and Cameroon.c. Each chapter conducted at least one specific training initiatived. Two scholarships awarded totalling US$10,000e. On target to increase entries received for IAWRT awards by 10% this award cycle.f. Increased the number of participants in IAWRT activitiesg. Prepared to host biennial IAWRT AWARDS 2011
3. Production of Film, Radio, and Television programs and documentaries.a. Funded nine short documentaries (one entrant dropped out);b. Organised and co-funded IAWRT Film Festival.c. Increased the number of times programs and documentaries are used each year. IAWRT Film Festival now has short doco day. All training sessions at regional meetings use docos and they have been made available to Chapters on DVD.
4. Continue to support and develop the existing Anti-trafficking Continuation Project and the Half-Widows ProjectAnti-trafficking Projecta. Produced 1 documentary b. Produced 5 short features in four countriesc. Translated and published 1000 copies of media guidelinesd. Held at least 9 media workshopse. At least 10 civil society groups and media organisations from South Asian countries had directly participated in the programf. Produced and printed supporting documentationg. Organized 1 monitoring and review visit with IAWRT and IAWRT Norway representatives.h. Progress in 2010 formally evaluated.
Half-Widows Projecta. Three-hour audio video manual produced.b. A large number of women trained in using the manual..c. At least 10 organizations and groups from six countries together lobbied for ratification of the International Convention.d. At least 20 women trained during workshops in the skill of using the manual.e. Consultative committee constituted of human rights lawyers/activists, organisations and media persons drawn from the region. f. Large no of women from the region of South Asia used the tools and resources. g. Increased awareness of disappearances and its pattern in different countries.h. A large number of women from affected families came into the public arena to campaign on EID.q. Rise in membership as well as support groups of organisations using the manual.i. Publicity and visibility for EID increased through coverage by the local, regional and International media.j. Progress in 2010 was formally evaluated.
5. Develop proposals and implement new projects on Media Women Against FGM and from 2011 monitoring media portrayal of women in countries or regions with IAWRT Chapters.
Media Women Against FGMa. Conducted 2 training workshops in Far North Cameroon with information on FGM and message skills and basic skills on theatre performance.b. Produced 1 theatre dramac. Conducted 5 community theatre performances.d. Produced 1 radio dramae. Produced 1 TV dramaf. Formed FGM reflection committeeg. Prepared and presented draft bill on FGMh. More people denounced FGM. On target for a substantial reduction in the practice by the end of 2012.i. Progress in 2010 was formally evaluated.
Monitoring Media Portrayal of Women(was to start in 2011)Project cancelled due to funding shortfall
1d) Describe the most important changes/results that have occurred in the target group’s life and general living conditions as a result of the project work.
The most gratifying changes have been observed in the capacity of women in the media – and the flow-on effect to women working with them or being assisted by them. 
There has been an expansion in the number of Chapters (ahead of target) and also an expansion of training and skills sharing of existing and new members, for example in the areas of video-advocacy and Internet usage; many of our members now have the skills to create their own Internet sites or contribute to professional sites for the creation and/or distribution of their work. The scholarships have demonstrated real value to the recipients’ professional skills enhancement.
The flow-on effect of IAWRT’s work is demonstrated on the ground, among women assisted by our members or others influenced by our work. The major projects in particular have increased the visibility of the issues of people trafficking, half-widows and FGM. For example, the Cameroon Chapter’s work leading the media fight against FGM has also provided a focus for local stakeholder groups – including activists and local and national media in Cameroon - and has raised the profile of the issue as a whole within the country. As a result of lobbying by IAWRT - especially at the regional meeting in Yaounde - the head of Cameroon Radio and Television finally agreed to establish a gender desk. The regional meeting also prompted major broadcast coverage of the IAWRT FGM project and raised the profile of the issue as a whole. In another example, the IAWRT Philippines Chapter has provided a major impetus in the campaign for a Bill of Women’s Rights in that country.
IAWRT as an organisation has been vocal in publicly condemning abuses against women in the media, either as practitioners or as subjects. For example, in August 2010 IAWRT publicly supported five women journalists who resigned from Al-Jazeera News after management issued an edict on restrictive dress codes for women.  
1e. To what extent was the project carried out as planned? Please account for any deviations from the plan.
While it has been a very challenging year, at its core the work of IAWRT continues to develop as planned and its special projects continue to fulfil their increasingly valuable purpose.
There were, however, budget cuts in 2010, which meant that several parts of the initial project plan had to be curtailed. IAWRT is a very lean organisation. All of its Board, office-holders and members - except for the Secretariat - work unpaid, so cuts in funding inevitably flow directly through to service provision. This has led to cuts in administration for members, including face-to-face meetings with Chapter Heads, and despite this IAWRT could not avoid a four percent cut in funding to each of the major projects. It is hoped this will not need to be repeated for 2011. The Media Monitoring project, which had already been postponed a year, will not now go ahead.
1f. Has the realization of the project contributed to, or resulted in any unanticipated consequences (positive or negative)? Please give examples
As mentioned in 1d above, the IAWRT FGM project in particular has exceeded expectations in its scope and effectiveness. Because of its well-structured plan and efficient delivery – and the public profile accrued by its nature as a media initiative – the project has mobilised forces outside its direct scope and has acted as a focus around which individuals and groups have organically coalesced. In turn, members both locally and internationally have been well-placed to utilise the media spin-offs for IAWRT, FOKUS and other partners. Similar effects have been observed in the other major projects and in raising the profile of IAWRT’s championing of media women and issues in the South.This has not been without consequence, such as exposing resistance from entrenched interests, but this in itself speaks well of the usefulness and necessity of IAWRT’s work. For example, IAWRT and one of its partner organisations, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), are currently meeting the challenge of opposition from certain government interests to its half-widows project in Kashmir.The involvement of an organisation such as FOKUS has allowed IAWRT to work with its other funding recipients in a number of countries. All Chapters have the list of FOKUS-related organisations and regularly work with them to create special synergies.
1g. Were there particular risk factors (internal or external) that had a negative (or positive) influence on completion of the programmes?
The greatest risk factor continues to be opposition to women in the media and their work. In many countries in the South that opposition is often socially, politically and/or economically entrenched. In some countries, governments and other powerful interests opposed to greater rights for women are also opposed to freedom of the media, which makes IAWRT’s work doubly difficult and twice as necessary. In the half-widows project, for example, IAWRT’s work progresses despite serious opposition. In Cameroon, the FGM project seems to have achieved something of a breakthrough in a centuries-old abuse of women and girls.Internally, funding continue to be a major concern, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis. IAWRT by its nature as an international organisation or women in the media is dependent on international travel and communications, especially with less accessible countries in the South where the need is often greatest. But restricted funding means IAWRT has to reduce its engagement and save money by holding meetings and workshops where possible in cheaper and more accessible locations. For example, its Biennial Conference was held in Cambodia in 2009 and will probably have to be held in Malaysia in 2011 simply because of financial constraints, instead of rotating to a different region.

Project Context2a Many of our members work in their national broadcasting organisations and we have formed networks with those organisations to further develop the aims of IAWRT. As journalists and documentary-makers, most members have extensive networks within their own countries and regions which they bring to their IAWRT activities.The association as a whole is also a member of ECOSOC and participates in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the UN DPI-NGO partnership, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) as well as in local and international media and broadcasting forums such as the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Commonwealth Broadcasters’ Association (CBA), the Asia Institute of Broadcast Development (AIBD) and the European Broadcasters’ Union (EBU).Because of the changing nature of the media – especially the electronic and online media – IAWRT membership increasingly consists of freelancers, independent producers and journalists working with small production companies and/or community, advocacy or local stations, with less financial support from the bigger broadcasters.2b.Outline briefly how the project has contributed to strengthen women’s rights and try to describe how you use a rights-based approach in your work. Does your project address any specific rights; which? 
IAWRT’s main focus is the promotion of women’s rights through the electronic media. We actively promote the implementation of UNR 1325 by funding local projects which support the role of women in building peace and consensus in post-conflict situations. All 13 documentary projects funded in 2009 had as their subject matter the protection of women and their rights.  In the 2009 funding year, IAWRT held its 33rd Biennial conference on the major theme of the Beijing Platform for Action strategic objectives on women and the media.The continued growth of IAWRT in 2010 has focused on capacity-building to underpin those rights, both by giving media women the additional skills needed to argue for and assert their rights, but also by giving non-media women themselves the skills to utilise the media through projects such as the anti-trafficking, half-widows and FGM as well as through IAWRT’s work in-country at chapter level.As mentioned in 1d above, IAWRT as an international organisation frequently uses its influence to progress the debate on women’s rights and campaign against abuses. For example, IAWRT and its Chapters annually participate professionally in International Women’s Day and  World Press Freedom Day.2c To what extent did the project/cooperation partner follow plans and priorities of the local authorities? Please give examples. 
Through its members, IAWRT has relationships with national broadcasters and appropriate ministries within many countries but on a matter of professional principal IAWRT rarely works directly for governments. Indeed, in some countries the work of IAWRT in progressing the rights and capabilities of women in the media runs counter to government policies or practice. However, where possible without compromising the ethics of its members, IAWRT has worked cooperatively with government agencies, NGOs and United Nations instrumentalities, especially at local level. [Example of cooperation outside the three major projects.]Around the world, professional and broadcasting organisations support IAWRT by funding members’ training activities as well as providing technical and in-kind support for participation in conferences and regional meetings.  These include the Environmental Broadcast Circle (EBC) in the Philippines, Saathi in Nepal, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Gender Institute in India, NRK Norway, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), Swedish Radio, ABC Australia, and the Commonwealth Broadcasters Association (CBA).

2dAs mentioned in 2c above, many of IAWRT's members work in their national broadcasting organisations and have formed networks with those organisations to further develop the aims of IAWRT. As journalists and documentary-makers, most members have extensive networks within their own countries and regions which they bring to their IAWRT activities.The association as a whole is also a member of ECOSOC and participates in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the UN DPI-NGO partnership, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UN Women (formerly UNIFEM), the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) and ISIS International as well as in local and international media and broadcasting forums such as the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Commonwealth Broadcasters’ Association (CBA), the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), the Asia Institute of Broadcast Development (AIBD) and the European Broadcasters’ Union (EBU).Because of the changing nature of the media – especially the electronic and online media – IAWRT membership increasingly consists of freelancers, independent producers and journalists working with small production companies and/or community, advocacy or local stations, with less financial support from the bigger broadcasters.2e.The IAWRT Norway Chapter ability to network at the country and international level makes it an effective instrument for consciousness raising, capacity building, exchange of journalistic skills and information between the North and South. At conferences and regional meetings as well as contacts by email we exchange information, discuss professional questions like freedom of expression, how to tell a story, how the situation is for women journalists in the different countries etc.  An equally important topic at conferences is the situation for women in all the different countries, violence against women, women in war and conflict, women in decision making positions, trafficking, women and the environment, etc, and how we as journalists can help highlight women´s situations. As journalists we can also use the network for assistance if we go abroad, or for journalistic information from countries or regions we are doing reports on.
2f.IAWRT has committed as a Board to actively seek support from international funding organisations.  We are promoting partnership activities through our Chapters which have proven to be very successful in securing more funding for specific projects and activities.  IAWRT has been successful in gaining in-kind support from many organizations which we are working on translating into funding support. In recent times, IAWRT seed funding for its chapter activities has on occasions been supplemented by in-country contribution from various government and NGO bodies. For example, the Kenya Chapter’s media forum received funding from the US Embassy and UNESCO. The Swiss Embassy co-funded an IAWRT regional workshop in Cameroon on the role and status of media women during armed conflicts. IAWRT also partnered the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) in holding a South East Asia Sub-regional Conference on Violence Against Women.Because the bulk of our membership comes from countries that are still developing, it is very difficult to raise finances through membership drives or in-country activity; as a professional network, our funding options will always be limited. While IAWRT remains focused on securing new additional funding sources in the long term, we recognise the primacy of our relationship with FOKUS. IAWRT is the only international organisation representing women in the electronic media that reaches to grassroots level to build capacity in developing nations – in both the media and women’s development in general. It is therefore an ideal fit with FOKUS’s aims and activities in women’s development and advocacy.IAWRT also receive considerably in-kind support from NRK and SR.2g. How are climate and environmental issues addressed in the project? Within the geographic location of your project, in what ways do environmental/climate change affect women, and do they have access to processes where challenges and solutions are discussed?
As an organisation of women working in media, IAWRT and its members regularly engage with issues such as the environment and climate change as they affect women through resource allocation, land use, water rights and displacement due to natural disasters. h) To what degree was the project carried out in cooperation with other donors, national or local? 
Support from organisations other than FOKUS is usually in-kind, such as the provision of facilities for broadcasting or office space. IAWRT accepts support such as the use of training facilities provided by NGOs and other partners. Individual Chapters routinely arrange the sharing of facilities at local level. Initiatives such as the IAWRT Asian Film Festival relies on assistance from other sponsors such as NGOs, academic institutions and broadcasters, thus multiplying the funding provided by FOKUS through IAWRT.

 3a.All funded activities have an auditing and reporting component built into them so that IAWRT can continue to evaluate the relevance and report on outcomes of each activity it is involved in. Every activity provide written reports every six months to the IAWRT International Board, as well as the Norwegian Chapter Board.In addition to this, project travels to all activities will be made by one representative from the International Board, and one from the Norwegian Board, annually.  Project travel to monitor the main Network activity will be made by two members of the Norwegian Board. Internal and external review and compliance mechanisms are outlined in 9(b) above.An external evaluation was done in 2004, with a follow up that started in 2006.  Recommendation of the latest evaluation were presented to the 2007 AGM and subsequently implemented. The IAWRT Board evaluated the operation of its Chapters at the 2008 Regional Meeting in Cape Town and again in Moldova in 2009, and at IAWRT 33rd Biennial Conference held in November 2009 in Cambodia, which included Chapters reporting on activities in the current funding period, financial progress, documentation of achievements, alignment to organizational goals and monitoring compliance.The IAWRT Board-approved formal review of the organisation’s Statutes, Policies and Procedures as well as its working relationship to its Chapters commenced in 2010 and will be presented to members at the 2011 AGM.3b) In what way(s) did the review/evaluation contribute to learning and improvement of the programmes?
In 2010 a meeting between the Board and all Chapter Heads evaluated progress in 2010 of all projects, programs and other initiatives carried out by Chapters.  Questionnaires were sent to all Chapters and are currently being evaluated with a view to presenting any proposals for change at the 2011 AGM.  The major projects are evaluated separately by the Board and IAWRT Norway representatives. Project evaluations are a collaborative process during which project leaders and assessors discuss learnings, challenges and improvements and make recommendations for changes. Evaluation reports are sent to FOKUS annually.

IAWRT has had a very active and productive first six months of the 2009 financial year, with some solid achievements against our planned outcomes.

We continue to operate efficiently and adhere faithfully to terms of the funding agreement with our principal sponsor, the Oslo-based Forum for Women and Development (FOKUS).

On behalf of the IAWRT Board, I recently had the pleasure of providing FOKUS with the following report of our activities for the first six months of the financial year to 30 June 2009:

The International Board met face-to-face in Moldova to plan for the 2010-13 program activities as well as to finalise arrangements for the Biennial Conference, Awards for Excellence, the Strengthening of the South activity and IAWRT/FOKUS Study Scholarships.  The Board also met via teleconference three times during this six month period, to keep the momentum in the projects and oversee the work of the organisation.

IAWRT Seminar and workshop, Cameroon: The IAWRT Cameroon Chapter played a vital role in setting up a network of media women for peace in Central Africa, when they hosted a three-day sub-regional seminar and workshop in Yaoundé in January 2009. On the theme of "The role and status of media women in armed conflicts, internal disturbances and peace support and promotion operations in CEMAC zone", the workshop also had financial backing from the Embassy of Switzerland in Cameroon to support media women operating in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC).

CSW53 in New York: IAWRT had three representatives at the 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in February 2009. Elizabeth Roxas (Philippines) was funded by IAWRT, FOKUS funded Racheal Nakitare (Kenya) and Bandana Rana (Nepal) attended as part of the Asia-Pacific Forum. This year's priority theme was "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS". It also examined addressing Violence Against Women (VAW) and ways the media can deliver stories of women's development worldwide.

Completion of History Project and publication of the book Voices/Pictures: The Story of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television. This project was finished late last year and work commenced in early 2009 to distribute the book to key stakeholders around the world. The book will be officially launched at IAWRT's Biennial Conference in Cambodia in November 2009.

FOKUS Networking Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Six IAWRT members from Norway, India, Kashmir Nepal and Bangladesh participated in this conference with one of them chairing a session. Ananya Chakraborti's 83-minute documentary "Understanding Trafficking" was screened.

Moldova Regional Conference: The conference and Board meeting in Chisinau in May 2009 achieved several important outcomes, including:

• Workshopping issues and activities related to the theme ‘The Global Financial Crisis - Its effect on women and media'.
• Renewing contact with media women in Eastern Europe.
• Laying groundwork for Moldova Chapter and discussing with regional radio and TV women the problems they face and possible support IAWRT can provide.
• Linking Moldovan media women with international aid organisations and funding bodies.
• Meeting with the country office of UNIFEM and contributing to its Media Monitoring Project in Moldova.

A strategic planning meeting with FOKUS on the new funding model: while in Moldova, IAWRT Board and Chapter Heads met with our Project Advisor Jon Rian to be briefed on the new project-to-program funding model.  The Board and FOKUS held very useful discussions about ways in which IAWRT could contribute to FOKUS and its partners around the world through its work in the media and media advocacy.

Annual reports by Chapters and evaluation by the IAWRT Board: In Moldova the International Board also met with its Chapter Heads as part of its commitment to bring Chapter Heads together annually and discuss their work and challenges, particularly as they relate to projects, membership, funding and governance.  This is a very important opportunity for our Chapters to link back to the organisation and each other and be briefed on the new and on-going initiatives, such as the new funding model.  It is also an opportunity for the Board to evaluate progress of the Chapters and ensure that they operate according to our statutes.

Planning and preparation for IAWRT Biennial Conference in Cambodia in November 2009: The venue had to be changed to Phnom Penh due to obstacles to holding the conference in Vietnam. This necessitated new negotiations and arrangements, including a site visit to finalise agreements. A significant part of the IAWRT conference budget for 2009 has been allocated to the Biennial Conference and the Awards for Excellence.

IAWRT Awards of Excellence: Submissions have been invited for the IAWRT awards for Excellence in Radio and Television, with US$ 750 for the most outstanding documentary in each medium.  Entries must be between 20 and 90 minutes long for film and 15 - 60 minutes for radio and have been broadcast between November 2007 and October 2009. The winners will be announced at the Biennial Conference in Phnom Penh.

Television and Radio documentaries on Women's Rights: This year the IAWRT Board has decided to have as its primary focus from the "Strengthening the South" initiative, the production of short radio and television documentaries about women securing their rights.  Assessments have been made to fund 11 applications to make 13 radio and TV documentaries, three solely radio, six film only and two for combined radio and television pieces. Because the total funds required exceed our allocation for this project, IAWRT is seeking one-off mid-year funding of NOK 100,000. The IAWRT Board believes the 13 five-minute documentaries - when realised - will make a significant contribution to international debate on women's rights and provide a valuable resource for FOKUS and all its partners.

Study Scholarships: Four scholarships totalling US$ 12,000 have been awarded: to help Christine Anam of Kenya pursue her BA degree course in Communications and Sociology at the University of Nairobi; to allow Elizabeth Roxas from The Philippines to attend a four-week Filmmaking Course at Universal Studios in Los Angeles; for Anupa Shestra of Nepal to fulfil her  Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism at Kantipur City College,  Purbanchal University, Nepal; and to allow Rebecca Okwaci of Sudan to continue her Masters studies in the field of Communications at Daystar University, Nairobi.

UN DPI/NGOMeeting in Mexico: Liz Miller (Canada) will attend as IAWRT's representative. The main themes for the conference in September 2009 will be reducing the threats from nuclear armaments and weapons of mass destruction and how human development is global security.

Website development: Resources have been allocated to upgrading and further developing the IAWRT website, especially to incorporate chapter sub-sites. The back-end has been redesigned to allow chapters to upload and manage their own material and a guide has been produced explaining how chapter members can carry out all the necessary functions.

Olya Booyar
President