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WFP updated its corporate results framework in 2019. Through 2020 WFP worked with a variety of actors to document the ways in which WFP activities and operations can contribute to GBV mitigation and strengthen its evidence base on the relationship between GBV, nutrition and food security. These initiatives will inform the corporate result framework update in 2021.
Working with FAO and the GBV Accountability Framework to develop a proposal with a global focus. The proposal provides a working framework for regional bureaux and country office on how to engage with GBV actors and seeks to document good practices that contribute to GBV risk mitigation.
Collaboration between WFP and SIPRI with a focus on GBV and conflict. The objective of this research is to understand to what extent WFP has taken steps to integrate the WPS agenda through its programming and the effects thereof, in order to enhance WFP’s design and delivery of programming that are gender equitable. The research will inform WFP’s understanding of conflict- and gender-related analysis and resulting specific country needs, and how to address these through WFP’s Country Strategic Plans. Further, it will provide ground for building WFP’s ability to define its role in inter-agency commitments to conflict-, security- and gender-related issues, in line with a particular support to the women, peace and security agenda.
WFP also launched the “Gender Equality for Food Security” (GE4FS) measure. The GE4FS measure is a globally applicable instrument that looks at the interconnectedness of dis/empowerment and food in/security. The GE4FS measure combines the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and a gender equality component. The gender equality component is a set of 18 questions exploring five dimensions of personal empowerment. It is important to have this data because gender and food – and the associated inequalities and insecurities – are two elements of the daily lives of all persons. 17 countries participated in this exercise.
In 2020, WFP launched a new Protection and Accountability Policy (2020). In developing the Policy WFP adopted a field-first approach. Gender and GBV link explicitly to the new Policy—which commits WFP to adopt a specific normative and operational posture when designing and implementing, and reporting on its programmes:
A theory of change that underlines the views, priorities and agency of the people WFP serves as indispensable for WFP to deliver good programming in line with human rights, development, peace & security, and disability inclusion.
Complementing WFP’s food security analysis with a solid context analysis that deepens WFP’s understanding of the different risks faced by people where WFP operates, how that operational and risk context is evolving, which factors contribute to this threat (gender, age, disability) and the subsequent effects on peoples’ vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Evidence-based decision making as imperative to understanding barriers to inclusion in safe programming. Data must be disaggregated by sex, age and disability.
A shift towards the centrality of protection and accountability across a range of critical functions to ensure the safety, appropriateness and dignity of food and nutrition assistance. This requires broadening our understanding of protection beyond programming.
With regards to the progress made towards the implementation of the WFP Gender Policy (2015-2020) an evaluation carried out in 2019 provided eight recommendations that were endorsed by the management and found that while the Policy is still relevant for WFP’s mandate, it “needs to be updated to support WFP’s work at country level firmly within UN system efforts to accelerate the support to government partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” The update of the Gender Policy will not involve the change of the main goals of the policy, but it will involve the alignment to the new Strategic Plan (2022-2026), the current WFP and UN framework, and it will also include a structured and detailed Theory of Change. In December 2020 the Gender Office commenced the process. Initial key informants’ interviews have been carried out and the internal reference group has been established. Additionally, a survey was launched at the end of January 2021 addressed to any WFP employee and partners, to gather the broadest possible perspective on what the updated policy should include. The next steps will be a deeper desk review and the development of the first draft of the updated policy, that will be presented to the EB for the first of two informal consultations on July 8thth 2021. The final document will be presented to the first EB session of February 2022.
In 2021, WFP undertook the review and update of the Executive Director Circular on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (OED2014/020). This ED Circular serves as WFP’s policy framework for PSEA and was last updated in 2014. Since, policies, procedures and other applicable standards and guidelines as related to PSEA have been updated, WFP considers it a good practice to update the Circular to support effective administration, compliance and oversight. It is anticipated that the updated Circular will be finalized by January 2022.
To be protection-centred, WFP has to be people-centred – this starts with clear analysis that identifies the specific needs and risks experienced by our beneficiaries, the majority of who are women. WFP seeks to promote inclusive participation by including the voice of affected populations in conflict-sensitive analysis to influence its programmatic designs. This enables WFP to tailor its programmes to most effectively meet needs while reducing risks associated with accessing our assistance. Measures include basic operational considerations such as ensuring people are able to safely travel to and from distributions but also ensuring two-way communication with beneficiaries so they understand the purpose of WFP’s assistance and are aware of their entitlements.
Complaints and feedback mechanisms, as part of a broader AAP approach, are a central component of this engagement with the people we serve. They allow beneficiaries to raise issues with WFP and its partners and receive feedback on how they are addressed. When incidences of harm or abuse are reported WFP can take action to mitigate the opportunity for future incidences and refer beneficiaries to appropriate services. Overall, the feedback channels enabled by CFMs help improve service delivery while enhancing trust between WFP and the people it serves.
In 2019, Implementation of an inter-divisional initiative to standardize complaints and feedback mechanisms across country offices continued. WFP rolled-out the minimum standards for a functioning CFM to six regional bureaux and 32 country offices. As part of this roll-out, a standardised data intake form captures programmatic adjustment in response to feedback. In 2019, WFP took the lead on inter-agency CFMs in Mozambique and Syria. The CFM standardization package will include an overarching guidance document supported by templates and checklists to be translated and disseminated by end 2019.
In Nepal, mobility issues of women and girls are also assessed during GESI assessment of the projects/programme like School Meal Programme (SMP) conducted in 2019 and will be part of the study for Climate Adaptation Fund project this year.
WFP’s Gender Policy and Protection Policy both cover elements of addressing Gender Based Violence; both policies are supported by guidance manuals for field based staff.
Cuba Country Office:
As part of the Inter-agency Gender Group, WFP participated in knowledge sharing workshops on preliminary results of the National Survey on Gender Inequality (led by the Centre for Women Studies of the Cuban Women Federation), which also included analysis on gender-based violence issues. WFP also started to disseminate the results of this survey within the supported agricultural cooperatives.
WFP launched its technical guidance on accountability to affected populations (AAP) in January 2017. The guidance complements the protection guidance and provides an overview of AAP in the context of WFP’s operations. It is meant to guide staff and partners to better support programme design and implementation in a manner that reflects the needs and views of affected communities, including women and girls.
In 2017, WFP commissioned two external evaluation of its Humanitarian Protection Policy (2012) and the Policy on Humanitarian Principles and Access (2006).
The evaluation of the Humanitarian Protection Policy generated a set of recommendations to strengthen systematically integration of protection and accountability to affected population to WFP’s different frameworks, programmes and processes.