Context
The governments of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In so doing, they have pledged to eliminate gender-based discrimination and ensure equal participation of women in all areas of society. Despite significant progress in the past years, including in educational policy, major challenges continue to hamper the achievement of true equality for women and men. Many women in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are still significantly disadvantaged with respect to areas such as access to the employment market and political decision-making processes.
Objective
In German development cooperation’s priority sectors in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, for instance, water, sustainable economic development and the environment, equal participation of women is strengthened.
Approach
The regional programme provides conceptual support for mainstreaming equal rights for men and women and for promoting women in the priority sectors of German development cooperation in the Maghreb. Depending on the country, these sectors may comprise water, sustainable economic development or the environment.
The regional programme’s projects implemented as part of existing programmes promote women’s empowerment, especially in areas in which they are structurally disadvantaged. Moreover, the regional programme helps different stakeholders at national and regional level exchange experiences on promoting equal rights for men and women and women’s empowerment.