AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND Language: English Original: French

REPUBLIC OF NIGER

GENDER EQUITY REINFORCEMENT PROJECT

APPRAISAL REPORT

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - OCSD CENTER WEST REGION MAY 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

PROJECT BRIEF, CURRENCIES AND MESURES, LIST OF TABLES, LIST OF ANNEXES, ACRONYNMS AND ABREVIATIONS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS, PROJECT LOGICAL FRAMEWORK, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i-xi 1. PROJECT ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND ................................................................. 1 2. THE SECTOR ........................................................... 2 2.1 Gender Issues in Niger ................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Institutional Framework ................................................................................................. 2 2.3 The Government’s Gender Policy ................................................................................. 3 2.4 Financing of Gender Activities ...................................................................................... 3 2.5 Principal Interventions of Development Partners .......................................................... 4 2.6 Sector Constraints .......................................................................................................... 4 3. THE PROJECT AREA .................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Institutional Capacities................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Equity in the Legal Context .......................................................................................... 6 3.3 women’s access to Information and Communication .................................................... 7 3.4 Population Issues............................................................................................................ 8 4. THE PROJECT ...................................................................................................... ……8 4.1 Design and Basis ............................................................................................................ 8 4.2 Project Areas and Beneficiaries ................................................................................... 10 4.3 Strategic Context .......................................................................................................... 11 4.4 Project Objectives ........................................................................................................ 11 4.5 Description of Project Outputs and Components ......................................................... 11 4.6 Impact on the Environment .......................................................................................... 15 4.7 Project Costs ........................................................................................................... 16 4.8 Financing Sources ........................................................................................................ 16 5. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................ 17 5.1 Executing Agency……………………………………………...… ..................... ……17 5.2 Institutional Arrangements........................................................................................... 18 5.3 Implementation and Expenditure Schedule.................................................................. 19 5.4 Procurement Arrangements .......................................................................................... 20 5.5 Disbursement .............................................................................................................. 22 5.6 Financial Reporting and Audit ..................................................................................... 23 5.7 Monitoring and Evaluation........................................................................................... 23 5.8 Aid Coordination.......................................................................................................... 23

6. PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY AND RISK ................................................................24 6.1 Recurrent Costs .............................................................................................................24 6.2 Sustainability ...............................................................................................................24 6.3 Principal Risks and Mitigative Measures......................................................................25 7. PROJECT BENEFITS ..................................................................................................25 7.1 Economic Benefits ........................................................................................................25 7.2 Social Impact ...............................................................................................................26 7.3 Impact on Women and Poverty Reduction ...................................................................26 8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................27 8.1 Conclusions ...............................................................................................................27 8.2 Recommendations and Conditions of Approval of Grant.............................................27 ANNEXES

This report has been prepared following the appraisal mission conducted in Niger from 16 February to 8 March 2004 by Mr. J. E. PORGO, Chief Education Analyst, OCSD.2, and two consultants. Further information may be obtained from Mrs. Z.B. El BAKRI (Director OCSD, Ext 2045) or Mr. T.P. SEYA (Division Manager, OCSD.2, Ext. 2173)

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AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND 01 B.P. 1387 ABIDJAN 01/ COTE D’IVOIRE BP. 323, 1002 Tunis Belvedere/TUNISIA TEL. (225) 20 20 48 12 / 20 20 54 47 TEL : (216) 71 333 511 FAX (225) 20 20 57 10 Fax :(216)71351933

PROJECT BRIEF

Date: March 2004 The information given hereunder is intended to provide some guidance to prospective

suppliers, contractors, consultants and all persons interested in the procurement of goods and services for projects approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank Group. More detailed information may be obtained from the Executing Agency of the Borrower.

1. COUNTRY : Republic of Niger

2. PJROJECT TITLE : Gender Equity Reinforcement

3. LOCATION : National Territory

4. DONEE : Republic of Niger

5. EXECUTING AGENCY : women’s Affairs Department (DPF) within MDSPPFPE

6. PROJECT DESCRIPTION : The project’s sector objective is to contribute to attaining the millennium development goals relating to Gender. The specific objectives are to: i) contribute to building the capacities for design, planning and management of gender activities; and ii) contribute to creating a social environment that is conducive to gender equity.

7. COST ESTIMATE:

Foreign Exchange : UA 1.16 million

Local Currency : UA 2.00 million

Total : UA 3.16 million

8. PROPOSED FINANCING

ADF (Grant) : UA 3.00 million

GOVERNMENT : UA 0.16 million

9. PROBABLE DATE OF APPROVAL : June 2004

9. PROBABLE START-UP DATE

AND PROJECT DURATION : September 2004 - 3 yrs

11. PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES :

Procurement of goods and services will be in accordance with the ADF rules of procedure, as follows: Goods: National Competitive Bidding for the procurement of: i) furniture for the MDSPPFPE regional offices, the multimedia center, the ANDDH legal clinics and the DPF; ii) office automated equipment, computer and audiovisual facilities for the MDSPPFPE offices, the ANDDH, the multimedia center, the legal clinics and the DPF; and iii) vehicles and motorcycles for the DR, DEP, AFJN and DPF.

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This mode of procurement is justified by the fact that there are sufficient numbers of adequately qualified local providers to guarantee competition. Services: Bidding based on a shortlist for: i) training abroad on the themes of population, gender and development, gender statistics, management of community land, development planning, gender and law concerning women rights, management and women’s entrepreneurship; ii) communication training; iii) computer training for MDSPPFPE senior staff, of 200 women, and of supervisors of the legal clinic; iv) sensitization of the populations on the Persons and Family code, extension of CEDEF and the Quota Law; v) sensitization of the populations on human rights; vi) sensitization on the different themes; vii) PNDS review, formulation of ten-year plan and national gender strategy; viii) monitoring and evaluation of gender indicators; coordination of all the gender activities and upgrading of the gender-specific database; ix) conduct of the study on gender relations and that on gender-based violence; x) the setting up of a Website for DEP; xi) formulation of the Persons and Family Code; xii) preparation of the project implementation manual; xiii) services for the organization of the mid-term review; xiv) drafting of the project completion report; xv) the services of the experts on contract with PDF; and xvi) project audit. Direct Negotiation i) with MDSPPFPE for local training of opinion leaders and heads of civil society organizations and public service staff. It has a core group of gender trainers, trained under the “Gender Initiative» project financed by UNFPA; and ii) study tours. Running: Procurement relating to the project operation (office supplies and fuel) will involve: i) shopping from suppliers for amounts below UA 20 000 and ii) tender invitations for contracts involving amounts higher than UA 20 000.

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CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS

(March 2004)

1 UA = XOF 781,822

1 CFAF = UC 0.001199 1 UA = USD 1.48007

UNITS OF MEASURE

Metric system FISCAL YEAR 1st January to 31 December

LIST OF TABLES Page 2.1 MDSPPFPE budget trends 4 4.1 Project Costs by component 17 4.2 Project Costs by Category of Expenditure 18 4.3 Project Costs by Financing source 18 4.4 Project Costs by component and financing source 18 4.5 Project Costs by category of expenditure and Financing sources 19 5.1 Schedule of implementation and supervision 21 5.2 Supervision and mid-term review Plan 21 5.3 Schedule of expenditure by component 21 5.4 Schedule of expenditure by category of expenditure 22 5.5 Schedule of expenditure by Financing source 22 5.6 Arrangements for Procurement of goods and services 23

LIST OF ANNEXES

Number of pages Annex 1 Stages of preparation of the project appraisal report 1 Annex 2 Principal interventions of partners in the area of gender 1 Annex 3 Summary of Bank Group operations in Niger 1 Annex 4 Administrative Map of Niger (Project Areas) 1 Annex 5 Summary of Project Costs 3 Annex 6 Organization chart 1 Annex 7 Provisional project implementation plan 1 Annex 8 List of goods and services 1

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AFJN Niger Association of women lawyers (Association des femmes juristes du Niger)

AFN Niger Women’s Association (Association des femmes du Niger) AFE Association of Women Economists (Association des Femmes Economistes) ANDDH Niger Human Rights Defense Association (Association nigérienne pour la défense des droits de l’homme ADB African Development Bank CPP Project Steering Committee CEDEF Convention for the elimination of all forms of violence against women DEP Programming and Studies Department (Direction des Etudes et de la Programmation) DPF Women’s Affairs Department (Direction de la Promotion de la Femme) DAAF Administrative Affairs Department (Direction des Affaires Administratives et Financières) DDSSN Department of Social security and welfare and national solidarity (Direction de la Protection, Promotion Sociales et de la Solidarité Nationale) DSPF Women’s Advancement Strategies Division (Division des Stratégies de Promotion de la Femme) DP Population Department DL Legislation Department (Direction de la Législation) DR Regional Departments (Directions Régionales FAD African Development Fund FCFA Franc de la Communauté Financière Africaine HDI Human Development Index HPI Human poverty Index GSHDI Gender specific Human Development Indicator MDSPPFPE Ministry of Social Development, Population, Advancement of Women and Protection

of Children (Ministere du développement social, de la population, de la promotion de la femme et de la protection de l’enfant)

MEB1/A Ministry of Basic Education and Literacy (Ministère de l’Éducation de Base et de l’Alphabétisation)

MESSRT Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education, Research and Technology NTIC New Communication and Information Technologies ONPF National Observatory of Women’s Advancement (Observatoire nationale pour la promotion de la femme PAPG Advancement and Gender Support Project PDDG Ten-year Gender Development Plan (Plan décennal de développement du

Genre) PDDE Ten-year Education Plan (Plan décennal de développement de l’éducation ) PDSSN social Development and National Solidarity Plan (Politique de Développement Social et de la Solidarité Nationale) PNP National Population Policy (Politique Nationale de la Population) PNDS National Social Development Policy (Politique Nationale de Développement Social) PPF Policy on Advancement of Women (Politique de Promotion de la Femme) PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy RDFN (Democratic Gathering of Niger Women (Rassemblement démocratique des femmes du Niger) REFAO Network of Women entrepreneurs of West Africa (Réseau des femmes entrepreneurs de l’Afrique de l’ouest)

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REFCEN Network of Women Heads of Enterprises (Réseau des femmes chefs d’entreprises) SNPG National Gender Promotion Strategy (Stratégie nationale de promotion du genre) UA Unit of Account UNDAF United Nations Development Aid Framework UNS United Nations System

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REPUCBLIC OF NIGER Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

PROJECT LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Hierarchy of Objectives Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions and Risks Sector Objective 1 The sector objective is to contribute to attaining the millennium development goals relating to Gender.

1.1 In 2015, gender disparities reduced with regard to legal aspects, education (equality in schooling), and access to information/communication (NTIC access for all) and health (2/3 reduction in the infant mortality rate and 2/4 reduction in maternal mortality rate) and HIV/AIDS prevalence stabilized.

1.1.1 Reports of DEP, DPF and United Nations thematic Group on ender

Specific Objectives of Grant 1. Building capacities for design, planning and management of Gender activities; 2. Contribute to creation of a more favorable social gender environment.

1.1 A coherent social development policy, a national gender strategy and a ten-year gender development plan for Niger by 2007, whereas in 2004 these documents do not exist; 1.2 MDSPPFPE effectively carrying out the following activities: a) design, planning, management and evaluation of gender projects and programmes; b) monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators; c) coordination of gender activities, whereas in 2004 these activities are not being properly conducted. 2.1, 10% women mayors in 2007, compared to 5% in 2004; and the law on quota applied, whereas this is not entirely the case in 2004 2.2 In 2007, Persons and Family code adopted and applied, whereas it is not in existence in 2004; and approximately 55% of the population familiar with it. 2.3 In 2007, approximately 55% of population aware of human rights and fully conversant with themes relating to population/family planning and HIV/AIDS, compared to approximately 2% in 2004.

1.1.1 Activity reports of the Women’s Affairs Department 1.2.1 Reports of DEP and of DPF 1.2.1 Progress reports of DPF focal points 2.2.1 Reports of DP and the UN thematic group on gender 2.3.1 DPF reports.

1.1.1.1 PRS under implementation and the Government maintains its vision whereby poverty reduction requires the involvement of all the components of the nation. 1.1.1.2.1.1 Development partners continue their assistance to the Government in implementation of gender activities. 1.2.1.1 Revised PRS under implementation and partners continue to support government in the financing of gender activities. 2.2.1.1 Opinion leaders (traditional and religious heads and political party heads) support project 2.3.1.1 Opinion leaders (traditional and religious heads and political party leaders) support project

Outputs/Results 1.1 In 2007, the social development policy reviewed and a national gender strategy and ten-year gender development plan formulated and applied.

1.1.1 in 2007, gender activities and interventions integrated into a ten-year gender development plan and strategy whereas in 2004, they are not being applied in a concerted manner

1.1.1.1 Reports of DE and DPF.

1.1.1.1.1. Revised PRS under implementation

and partners continue supporting Government in the financing of gender activities

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Hierarchy of Objectives Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions and Risks 1.2 Opinion leaders (230 traditional Heads, 14 230 Religious Heads and 300 heads of political parties), 120 parliamentarians, 200 members of the following organizations: AFJN, AFE, REFAO- Niger, ANDDH), 122 members of focal points, Senior staff of central administration (1150) and regional offices (400), members of Government (50), judges and assessors and delegates of schools (284) sensitized on gender concepts; 1.3 The following training provided: 1 in population, gender and development, 1 seminar in population for 60 staff, 1 person in statistics and gender, 1 in management and women’s entrepreneurship; 1 in gender and women’s rights, 3 in gender; 50 in communication 250 including 200 women in new information technology

1.4 Advocacy activities on the following themes: population and development/family planning negative traditional practices (excision, early and /or forced marriages), local development, girls’ schooling, the environment and HIV/AIDS control. 1.5 Study tours for the opinion leaders: 1 trip to Tunisia and Senegal for 5 persons, including a parliamentarian, I religious leader, 1 traditional chief, 1 head of women’s NGOs and 1 MDSPPFPE officer. 1.6 Put in place one (1) multimedia community center 1.7 Information and awareness campaigns on the Persons and Family code, human rights and CEDEF conducted.

1.2. In 2007, 55% of opinion leaders (religious and traditional heads, heads of political parties, parliamentarians, heads with favorable attitudes to gender, compared to about 5% in 2004. 1.31 En 2007, about 80% of the MDS staff trained in gender and related aspects, compared to 5% in 2004; These persons conduct missions relating to gender and notably, monitor/evaluate gender indicators effectively. 1.4.1 In 2007, approximately 55%of the Nigerian population adopting behavior favoring the spacing of births, protection of the environment, HIV/AIDS control and education of girls and do not apply negative traditional methods 1.5.1 En 2007, 60% of opinion leaders (religious and traditional heads, heads of political parties), parliamentarians, NGO heads showing favorable attitudes to gender, compared to about 5% in 2004. 1.6.1 Approximately 5% of women who have undergone literacy training use computers, as compared to approximately and approximately 30% of women trained in data processing use the internet, compared to 19 % en 2004 1.7 In 2007, approximately 55% of the Niger population is conversant with the Persons and family code, human rights and the CEDEF, and have recourse to competent authorities, when necessary.

1.2.1.1 Reports of DPF, UNFPA and the Bank 1.3.1.1 Report of DEP and Bank supervision missions 1.4.1.1 Report of the DDS and National solidarity department and DPF 1.5.1.1 Reports of the DPF and the Bank 1.6.1.1 handing over records 1.7.1 Reports of DPF, UNFPA and the Bank

1.2.1.1 PRS under implementation and the Government maintains its vision whereby poverty reduction requires the involvement of the components of the nation. 1.3.1.1.1 Partners’ support to Government continues 1.4.1.1.1 Opinion leaders favorable to project 1.5.1.1.1 IDEM 1.6.1.1.1 PRS under implementation and the

Government maintains its vision whereby poverty reduction requires the involvement of all the components of the nation. 1.7.1.1 The opinion leaders continue to support project

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Hierarchy of Objectives Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions and Risks Project activities Resources in UA Million National counterpart is regularly made

available to the project 1. Recruit technical assistance. 2. Procure goods 3. Coordination of operations. 4. Conduct training 5. Conduct advocacy activities on the different themes, the persons and family code, human rights and CEDEF.

Source of finance FC. LC Total Grant 1.16 1.84 3.00 Govt. 0.00 0.16 0.16 Total 1.16 2.00 3.16

Quarterly project progress reports

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PROJECT BACKGROUND Niger is confronted with certain constraints, including, the rapid population growth rate (3.6% yearly) and the disparities between the different population segments. Approximately 63% of the population is living under the poverty line. The poverty level depends to a great extent on gender; indeed poverty particularly affects women, who represent over 50% of the population. The imbalance noted between women and men in Niger can primarily be explained through an analysis of the activities carried out by each group, especially in terms of access to and control of resources, social rights, participation in decision- making and autonomy. The existing gender gaps, mainly regarding legal status, access to resources, responsibilities, participation in decision- making and access to education, health, information and communication and to legal and judicial services, have been drawbacks in the poverty reduction efforts. To remedy this situation, different instruments have been formulated, such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the National policy on advancement of women, the national plan of action for implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDEF), the national population policy, the national health development policy and the ten-year education development plan. Most of the measures adopted within the different reference frameworks, do not sufficiently reflect the need for a certain balance in the distribution of tasks, responsibilities and powers within a coherent framework, so as to take account of men, women, and children. In the legal context, the coexistence of the three sources of law (customary, modern and religious law) places women in a difficult position, even though the Constitution lays down the principal of equality without distinction. Regarding the institutional fabric, the existing structures lack human resources in sufficient numbers and with the skills required to accomplish their missions. From the socio-economic standpoint, the tasks carried out by women are heavy, particularly in the rural area (between 14 and 18 hours of work per day), and in Education, problems of access and equity continue to raise concern. The women’s state of health is aggravated by their difficult access to health centers and their state of poverty. The total fertility index is 7.5 children per woman and the rapid propagation of the HIV/AIDS infection particularly concerns women (In 1999, out of 65 000 cases of HIV diagnosed on the national territory, 31,000 concerned women of between 15 and 49 years of age), thus limiting their participation in development activities. In the face of this situation, the Government has sought the assistance of its principal partners, including the African Development Bank Group, to finance measures aimed at reducing the gender disparities marking the society. In response to this request, submitted to it in December 2003, the Bank plans to provide its support through the present project identified/prepared in December 2003 and appraised in March 2004. This project, which supports the attainment of the millennium development goals, is in line with the Bank Group 2002-2004 operations strategy for Niger. BANK GROUP GRANT The total ADF contribution for an amount of UA 3.00 Million, covers 100% (UA 1.16 million) of the foreign exchange costs, and 92% (UA 1.84 million) of the local currency costs. The ADF grant resources will be used to finance components I, II and III for all the expenditure categories. .

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SECTOR AND PROJECT OBJECTIVES The sector objective of the project is to contribute to attaining the millennium development goals in relation to “Gender”. The specific objectives are: i) to contribute to enhancing the capacities for design, planning and management of Gender activities and to create a social environment that is more conducive to gender equity. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT The project, which will be implemented over a period of three years, has the following components: i) Capacity building; ii) improving the legal framework and women’s access to information and communication; and iii) project implementation. PROJECT COST The total cost of the project, exclusive of taxes and duty, is estimated at UA 3.16 million, comprising UA 1.16 million in foreign exchange and UA 2.00 million in local currency. The project cost includes an average provision of 4.59% for physical contingencies and 3.66% yearly for price contingencies. SOURCES OF FINANCE

The project will be jointly financed by ADF and the Niger Government. The ADF grant contribution, for an amount of UA 3.00 million, represents 95% of the total project cost and will be used to finance part of the cost of components I, II and III, for all the expenditure categories. The government’s contribution (UA 0.16 million) represents 5% of the total project costs. This covers 8% of the local currency costs and will finance part of the expenditure categories concerning goods and operating costs. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION The project will be implemented by DPF within the MDSPPFE. Given the magnitude of the tasks assigned to it, it will be strengthened through additional human resources, specifically a project coordinator, an accountant, a procurement specialist and support staff. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The project constitutes a major contribution to the Government’s PRS with regard to gender promotion in Niger. Through the various outputs projected, it will build the capacities of the State agencies and State and private sector organizations for the promotion of gender dimensions. Concretely, this strengthening will consist in the support for review of the National Social Development Policy, the formulation of a National Gender Strategy and a Ten-year Gender Development Plan, the strengthening of activities for monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators and also the implementation of studies on gender-based violence and gender relations towards a better understanding of gender issues in Niger. The training activities concerning gender and related aspects are also geared towards improved perception of gender issues on the part of opinion leaders (all 230 religious leaders and 14 230 traditional heads and 300 heads of political parties), members of parliament, pupil and student representatives and 200 members of civil society organizations. They will help bring about major changes in behavior within the population with regard to gender.

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The setting up of the multimedia community center and training of about 200 women in the NTICs will help reinforce gender equity through increased participation of women and girls in the socio-cultural and economic spheres. In addition, the formulation of the persons and family code will provide some solutions to the problems arising from the three sources of law, while the extension of CEDEF, followed by the sensitization of the populations on human rights will provide apt responses to the gender issues arising in Niger. The project, which has been designed and formulated using a participatory approach, with the effective involvement of the different parties concerned (beneficiaries, public authorities, civil society, NGOs and development partners) therefore represents a significant contribution towards the attainment of i) the millennium development goals regarding women’s advancement, equality and autonomy, HIV/AIDS control, improved maternal health and access to the new information and communication and technology for all; and ii) the objectives of the Bank Group 2002-2004 operations strategy for Niger, mainly geared towards poverty reduction in support of the Government’s PRS.

1. PROJECT ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND 1.1 Despite the efforts made, Niger is confronted with a number of constraints including a high population growth rate (3.6 yearly) and in particular the discrimination amongst the different population segments with regard to legal services and access to social services. Approximately 63% of the population is living below the poverty line and one person out of three is living below the threshold of extreme poverty. The poverty level is closely linked to gender. Indeed, poverty particularly affects women, who represent over half of the population. The disparities observed with regard to the situation of men and women in Niger can primarily be explained through an examination of the activities of each group and the right to access to and control of resources, social rights and participation in decision making. 1.2 The gender gap, mainly concerning the legal status, access to resources, responsibilities, participation in decision- making, access to education and to health, information and communication and to legal and judicial services is a drawback in poverty reduction efforts. In response to this situation, various instruments have been formulated, such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the national Policy for Advancement of Women, the Plan of action for implementation of the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDEF), the national Population Policy, the national Health Development Programme and the Ten-year Education Development Programme. However most of the measures applied under these instruments do not devote enough attention to the need for a certain balance in the distribution of tasks, responsibilities and powers within a coherent framework, to take account of men, women and children. These reference frameworks clearly show the Government’s desire to improve the populations’ living conditions, but they have not yet brought about the changes expected in favour of women in Niger’s society, since the discrimination and disparities continue. 1.3 Regarding the legal framework, the coexistence of three legal systems (customary, modern and religious) places women in a difficult situation, even though the Constitution clearly provides the principal of equality without distinction. With regard to the institutional fabric, the existing structures lack human resources in sufficient numbers and with the skills required to accomplish their missions. From the socio-economic standpoint, the women’s tasks are heavy, particularly in the rural areas (between 14 and 18 hours of work per day). Concerning Education, problems of access and equity continue to raise concern. The difficult access to health centers and the poverty aggravate the state of health of the population and of women in particular. The total fertility index is 7.5 children per woman and the swift propagation of the HIV/AIDS infection particularly affects women (in 1999, out of 65 000 cases of HIV diagnosed on the national territory, 31,000 concerned women of between 15 and 49 years of age), thus limiting their participation in development. In addition to these difficulties, there are particular constraints, such as early marriages, conjugal violence and sexual mutilation, unwanted pregnancies and limited access to information and communication. 1.4 In the face of this situation, the Government has sought the assistance of its principal partners, including the African Development Bank Group, to finance measures aimed at reducing the gender disparities marking the society. In response to this request, submitted to it in December 2003, the Bank plans to provide its support through the present project identified/prepared in December 2003 and appraised in March 2004 (See annex I for the different stages), and which supports the millennium development goals that relate to women’s advancement and equality and the need to ensure the autonomy of women, HIV/AIDS control, improved maternal health, and access to the new information technology and communication for all. It is further in line with the recommendations of the gender profile for Niger drawn up by the Bank in August 2002, and the Bank Group 2002-2004 operations strategy for Niger, which mainly seeks to support rural development, upgrade human resources, conduct reforms and promote good governance. The project complements other Bank operations in Niger concerning education and health that are already at the stage of physical implementation. It will consolidate gender equity aspects and facilitate their internalization by the beneficiary communities.

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2. THE SECTOR 2.1 Gender Issues in Niger 2.1.1 The Poverty Reduction Strategy paper clearly demonstrates that over two-thirds of Niger’s population is affected by poverty, placing the country last but one in the HDI rating (0.22 in 2002). The Human Poverty Index (HPI) is 63% of the population (i.e., 2 persons out of 3) living below the poverty threshold (with an annual income per capita of $100 in the urban areas and $ 66 in the rural areas). Approximately 2/3 of these poor are women. This situation results from a combination of factors at various levels, significantly linked with gender aspects. Concerning their legal status, these women are subject to numerous forms of discrimination owing to the existence of customary law and modern law and the poor interpretation of the religious precepts. With regard to education, the gross enrolment rate for the basic cycle 1, which was 41.7% for the entire country in 2002, was only 28.9% for girls as compared to 50% for boys in 2002, and the literacy rate is 10.6% for women, against 30.4% for men. In the health sector, the situation of population, and especially of women, gives cause for concern: the maternal mortality rate is 7% (far from the 2.3% millennium target). Women are also substantially absent from the decision-making spheres. 2.1.2 Certain civil society organizations (NGOs and associations) are increasingly supporting public efforts towards the implementation of development action. Such collaboration is necessary because it enables the civil society to carry out social functions and play a role of mediation and liaison between the population and the government. The most dynamic of such bodies are the Niger Association of Women Lawyers (AFJN) and the Niger Human Rights Defense Association (ANDDH). They however have capacity problems, which limit their efforts to promote gender equity. In addition, the fact that certain opinion leaders have not grasped the concept of gender does not facilitate the populations’ support for such orientation in the development projects and programmes. 2.1.3 Confronted with such weaknesses, the Government adopted several laws aimed at: i) reinforcing the compulsory nature of primary education and non-discriminatory access to education for all, ii) institution in 2000, of a quota system for elected positions in government and the public service (for legislative elections, the proportion of elected candidates according to the final results proclaimed should be no less than 10% of each sex, and in the case of appointments of government members and promotion to government positions, the proportions should not be less than 25%); iii) the establishment of a national observatory of women’s advancement in 1999; iv) accession (though with reservations) to the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDEF) in 1999; and v) adoption of a training programme on gender and socio-economic development for staff of the Ministry of Social Development, Population, Advancement of women and Protection of Children (MDSPPFPE), officers of NGOs and heads of the programming units of the technical ministries. Despite these measures, which are more or less being applied, the gender problem remains, since the discriminations and inequality persist.

2.2 Institutional Framework

2.2.1 The gender-related activities are mainly organized within MDSPPFPE. It is through the missions assigned to this ministry that these activities are organized. The Child Protection Department (DPE) primarily oversees the implementation of the national programme of action for survival, protection and development of children, particularly the application of the Convention on children’s rights under the African children’s Charter concerning children’s rights and well-being and any other conventions ratified by Niger in that regard. The missions of the Department of Social Development and National Solidarity (DDSSN) concern: i) assisting individuals, groups and communities in adapting to the evolution of society, through information sensitization and education: ii) participating in any strategy of prevention, re-education and rehabilitation of delinquents; and iii) participating in prevention

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of the major social problems (children grappling with family problems, prostitution, panhandling, malnutrition, STD/HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, drug addiction, handicaps of all kinds). The principal mission of the Women’s Affairs Department (DPF) is to coordinate the activities in conducted in favor of women by the different agencies, promote the involvement of women in the economic, social, political and cultural development process; strengthen links between the associations, movements and other women’s institutions set up in Niger and those of other countries. Lastly, the Legislation Department (DL) is responsible for studying and formulating all draft legislative and regulatory texts relating to social development, population, women’s advancement and protection of children.

2.2.2 In addition, specific activities are organized by other ministerial departments, in accordance with their mandates. These are notably the Ministry of Basic Education 1 and Literacy Education (MEB1/A) for action within the education and training sector (in charge of preschool education, basic cycle 1 education --public and private--, literacy and informal education) and the Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education, Research and Technology (MESSRT) for general secondary, technical and vocational education (public and private), the University and the national and international training and research centers in Niger. The Ministry of Health and Control of Endemic Diseases conducts gender activities relating to health. In addition, 25 focal points, comprising 81 persons have been set up within the ministries and 41 persons in companies and on boards have been entrusted with the monitoring of the application of the Quota Law.

2.3 The Government’s Gender Policy

2.3.1 Niger has no particular policy on gender. The measures conducted by the government in relation to gender derive from the Poverty Reduction strategy (PRS), which is the principal document orienting economic and social policy. Gender is one of the three major principles of this strategy. The Government devotes particular attention to initiatives seeking optimal contribution of all the social segments to poverty reduction efforts. In that regard, it has undertaken to remove all obstacles to meeting the needs of women. The national Social Development Policy (PNDS), drawn up in 1996 is the Government’s second reference document concerning gender, however it only outlines development orientations in favor of women. It comprises four sector policies, namely i) the Social Development and National Solidarity Policy (PDSSN); ii) the Policy on Women’s Advancement (PPF); iii) the National Population policy (PNP); and iv) the Policy on the advancement of Children (PPE).

2.3.2 Among other aspects, the objectives pursued through the policy on women’s advancement seek to i) uphold citizenship rights in a democratic context; ii) improve the conditions for participation of women in economic and social activities; iii) improve the status of women and girls iv) promote mother and child health; v) promote women’s access to credit; vi) improve the conditions for education and training of women and girls; vii) improve the working conditions of women and girls; viii) eliminate practices that assume the inferiority of women; and ix) create conditions for implementation of the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Thus the PNDS does not reflect the concerns of both men and women as regards the right to access and control of resources, social rights and participation in decision making. The government has thus opted for a policy on women and children rather than a policy to redress gender disparities.

2.4 Financing of Gender activities

2.4.1 The financing of gender activities is essentially covered by the government, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and external funding. The Government’s contribution has, through the funds allocated to the Ministry of Social Development, Population, Women’s Affairs and Protection of Children, increased from 0.12% in 2000 to 0.15% in 2001 attaining 0.17 in 2002. It subsequently declined by 0.02% in 2003, attaining 0.37% in 20004. This budget increase reflects the ever-increasing importance that the Government is devoting to gender. In 2004, approximately 95% of the funds allocated are to cover salaries and staff and the remaining 5% for income generating activities and for administrative infrastructure for the MDSPPFPE. The details of the allocations over the period 2000 to 2004 are indicated in the table below:

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Table 2.1 MDSPPFPE budget trends

Year State Budget (in CFAF) Percentage of State Budget

earmarked for gender activities 2000 349 232 568 000 0.12% 2001 338 793 697 000 0.15% 2002 378 849 972 000 0.17% 2003 406 993 571 900 0.15% 2004 415 784 954 000 0.37%

2.4.2 The NGOs also contribute to the financing of activities that are gender-related, but concerning information, education and law. In addition, under external aid, the government receives assistance from bilateral and multilateral cooperation agencies to finance activities in several specific areas, including income generating activities (micro-credit), capacity building, water infrastructure, education and health. The Government of Niger has moreover undertaken to increase the MDSPPFPE budget by at least 2% yearly from 2004 to 2008.

2.5 Principal Interventions of Development Partners

2.5.1 In the absence of a specific gender equity policy, the gender activities are implemented with the support of the partners either through integrated intervention, or by financing specific projects. Apart from the Bank Group, which participates in gender activities through integrated action under Education projects I and II, the World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and bilateral cooperation agencies (Kingdom of Belgium, USAID, the Swiss cooperation system, Canada, France) support Niger’s efforts concerning gender-related activities. Certain NGOs, such as the Niger Association for defense of Human rights are also involved through a few activities involving sensitization on rights and legal assistance.

2.5.2 The development partners operate in different manners: Some support the Government in conducting activities involving capacity building, construction of water infrastructure, education and health. Others focus on sectors such as savings and micro-credit for income generating activities, training, participatory development, law and public utilities including mills and motor pumps. Annex II provides details on the partners’ specific interventions with regard to gender. 2.6 Sector Constraints 2.6.1 The gender constraints are budgetary, institutional and cultural. They further arise from ignorance, inadequate information, and poor gender-specific data. Indeed the primary constraint is the low level of resources available in this area, and therefore the country’s inability to financially cover the necessary activities (training sensitization, information, education, infrastructure; credit, utilities). Very limited financial resources are directed towards gender-related activities, given the scale of the challenges facing Niger, including in those related to food security, poverty reduction, illiteracy and health and other problems. The institutional weakness resulting from the above situation are in fact the corollary of the inability of state agencies, civil society and private sector to conduct significant action with regard to gender promotion. These institutional weaknesses, which are essentially due to the country’s scarce resources, are also seen in the material limitations and the shortage with regard to qualified human resources for the implementation of gender activities.

2.6.3 Discrimination in the legal context represents the second constraint to gender. The three sources of law (customary, modern and religious) with differing logic raise several forms of discrimination against women, especially concerning their rights, family relations, succession, access to land, etc. The person and family code, which should more effectively govern relations between men

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and women and adolescents has been under reparation since 1975 but has not yet been put in place, given the reticence noted, especially on the part of opinion leaders.

2.6.4 The third constraint concerns the ignorance of the populations (limited literacy, especially among women, lack of awareness of their rights and those of their children, of business opportunities, appropriate technology necessary for production, processing and conservation of products, etc.), which largely explains their negative attitudes and behavior where women are concerned. 2.6.5 the socio-cultural impediments that make up the fourth constraint also render women victims of several forms of violence based on their sex, particularly conjugal violence, sexual mutilations, forced marriage etc. Lastly, for lack of information, women do not fully enjoy their rights recognized by the State. This constitutes a fifth constraint in the promotion of equality and equity. The lack of gender-specific data is another constraint to be addressed. 3. THE PROJECT AREA In light of the foregoing, institution building and discrimination against women in the legal context and with regard to access to information and communication have been included as project areas. There are other constraints, which have however been addressed in other interventions. 3.1 Institutional Capacities Public Structure 3.1.1 As regards the institutional set-up, MDSPPFPE is responsible for gender issues, among others. The establishment of this ministry without doubt contributed to Niger’s accession to the Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination with regard to women (CEDEF), the adoption of a law on the quotas for elective functions in the Government and the public service, the integration of gender in public administration and in projects and programmes which the authorities see as a necessity, and the establishment of a National Observatory for the advancement of women (ONPF). 3.1.2 The means MDSPPFPE has for the missions entrusted to are far from adequate. The budget allocated it represents only 0.37% of that of the State for 2004. As regards human resources, it is understaffed (426 staff, with only 53.5% substantive and 46.5% civic service recruits). The Ministry does not have enough gender and related specialists for the design, planning and monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators, periodic updating of the gender- specific database, and coordination of all the activities required to promote gender equity. There is no qualitative data concerning gender–based violence and no studies that really concern relations between men and women, such as would shed light on the current disparities. This hampers any efforts at advocacy on gender issues in favor of the opinion leaders (religious and traditional heads, heads of political parties), parliamentarians, Civil Society, civil service staff, members of Government, staff of the magistrature and pupils and students, who will be enabled to better grasp this concept with a view to disseminating it amongst the grass root populations. The material resources are equally inadequate and obsolete. 3.1.3 Regarding strategy, the elements of the poverty reduction policy only point to need to create favorable conditions for the participation of women in the development process, without outlining any specific actions to that end. The national Social Development Policy (PNDS) comprises four sector policies that are not well articulated and coherent in relation to each other. There is need to update it, in order to rationalize these sector policies and integrate fresh approaches to gender promotion. To significantly impact on the populations and also enable the various national and external parties to make an active and lasting contribution to the financing of the sector and ultimately attain the development goals relating to gender, a national gender promotion strategy (SNPG) and a ten-year gender development plan (PDDG) will be formulated.

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Civil society 3.1.4 The Niger Association of Women Lawyers (AFJN) and the Niger Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ANDDH) are the most dynamic civil society organizations backing up the partners and the State in their implementation of development measures aimed at reducing gender discrimination. Established in 1991, AFJN, reflects gender concerns through the five-year development plan drawn up by the Association of Sub-Saharan Women Lawyers. The broad objective of this association is to work for optimal development and fulfillment of women and children by defending their rights. The Association’s activities are conducted throughout national territory, out of 1055 agencies. It does not however have the full capacities to effectively carry through its tasks of training, advocacy and particularly legal assistance to women and men, since the existing legal system cannot cover the legal needs of the population (only 140 judges, which gives one judge per 80 000 inhabitants -- whereas the World Bank-recommended ratio is one per 20 000 inhabitants--, and an inadequate number of employees of the justice system). 3.1.5 ANDDH was established on 7 April 1991. Its objectives include: ensuring the respect of human rights in Niger, promoting and defending the individual and collective freedoms set forth in the national and international legal instruments in force, and combating all forms of discrimination. Since its establishment, ANDDH has, locally, regionally and nationally conducted numerous activities for the promotion and defense of human rights. For the promotion of gender aspects, it has 8 legal clinics in each of the 8 regions. The aim of these legal clinics is to improve the well-being of the women and men residing in the zones of intervention, and to this end, their activities concern advisory support (complaints, advisory services, mediation and intercession), education, human rights and associative activities (the range of sensitization activities) and training. All these human rights outreach and legal assistance activities in relation to gender are limited by the institutional weaknesses of these clinics. The strengthening of ANDDH will help promote gender in the context of human rights.

Private Sector Structures 3.1.6 Through training, some of the sector’s structures will be enabled to contribute to raising the capacities of women with regard to business initiatives, and thus afford them improved access to resources. Women conduct 69.4% of economic activities across the various sectors, however only 5% of them have monetary incomes. Women lack information on the opportunities in the different sectors. It is, among other reasons, to correct this situation that the Network of women entrepreneurs of West Africa (REFAO- Niger) was set up in 2002. REFAO-Niger has organized several training sessions (internet, leadership and financial management) for the benefit of women, with the aim of increasing their capacity to obtain information on business opportunities and to benefit from training. However, with such limited resources, it unable to satisfy the women’s ambitions of promoting development activities. An expansion of its capacities would enable it to more effectively accomplish its missions. 3.2 Equity in the Legal Context 3.2.1 Legal pluralism, characterized by the coexistence of several sources of law does not favor equality and equity. In accordance with the provisions of customary law, women’s rights relating to succession and marriage are limited. Repudiation is a common practice in Niger and gives a husband the right to break the bonds of marriage unilaterally and with impunity. It is this practice of customary repudiation that creates the most frustration for women, in that it produces immediate effects, with the woman returning to her parents’ home with no chances of reconciliation. The interpretation of religious precepts is a source of discrimination against women with regard to succession. This has an economic effect on women. Were a woman is an only child, she is prevented from inheriting the entire estate of

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her father. Customary law and interpretation of religious precepts bar women’s access to decision-making bodies and political functions in particular. In addition, women are poorly represented in modern legal and judiciary positions: 20 women judges out of a total of 160; 7 women lawyers out of 77; 5 women out of 13 notaries. 3.2.2 According to the Civil code applicable in Niger, the husband is the head of the household and has numerous and major prerogatives that relegate women to the background. This Code authorizes husbands to unilaterally decide the future of the children. To remedy this situation, the Government from 1975, began formulating a persons and family code proposing a choice between civil law and religious law, however, the process has never been carried through, primarily owing to cultural religious and even political impediments. This leeway to choose from amongst the various sources of law in existence favours discrimination against women, to the extent that those who would want to perpetuate this discrimination can adopt whichever legal system suits that purpose. The draft persons and family code is under preparation but is facing difficulty with regard to the resources required for additional studies and broad-based population surveys. The opinion leaders, who are required to be extensively involved in its formulation, still have great influence over the populations with regard to sensitization or advocacy to change behavior and mentalities. 3.2.3 The Government has also acceded to the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDEF), but has conveyed four main reservations concerning: i) Niger excludes the possibility of abrogation of the discrimination against women with regard to succession; ii) the modification of patterns and models of socio-cultural behavior of men and women in a bid to eliminate the prejudice and customary practices, or any other adverse aspects, deriving from the idea of inferiority or superiority of one sex or the other or from sexual stereotyping; iii) the right of women to choose their residence and domicile; iv) the same rights and responsibilities during marriages as well as at their dissolution, the right to freely and advisedly decide on the number and spacing of births, and to have access to information, education as well as the resources needed to exercise such rights, the same personal rights for husband and wife, including those relating to the family name, professions or occupations. By these reserves the CEDEF is deprived of the essence of the egalitarian norms. These reservations should be withdrawn with a view to more equitable distribution of tasks, responsibilities and powers between men and women. This convention is not well enough known to women and men and needs to be extensively disseminated. 3.2.4 Niger has further adopted the law on quotas, which is still being applied haltingly: a single woman parliamentarian out of 83; 4 women ministers out of 27; 2 mayors out of some forty. And despite these the weaknesses mentioned earlier, it is worth noting the modification of several discriminatory texts concerning women, such as the nationality code, the establishment in 1999 of the equality between women and men in the transmission of the Niger nationality to children and the quota law. A clear majority of women and men and youth remain unaware of the existence of internal texts and international legal instruments that favor women. AFJN and ANDDH have since their establishment, been committed to the extension and sensitization efforts aimed at facilitating legal advice to women and their access to justice. 3.3 Women’s Access to Information and Communication 3.3.1 Access to information and communication is a factor of the reinforcement of gender equity within the community through the increased participation of women and young girls in public debates concerning all socio-cultural aspects (education, health, status of women) and economic aspects (agricultural and pastoral production, natural resource management and income enhancement). The new communication and information technologies (NTIC) unquestionably constitute a major tool for effective involement aand empowerment of women in the promotion of local development. The Poverty reduction strategy (PRS) recommends support for development of

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NTIC in all the sectors of activity to make them more easily accessible to the underprivileged communities in the rural as well as urban areas. 3.3.2 Unfortunately, the Niger’s Information Technology and Communication Development Plan revealed a limited penetration of NTIC in the national territrory, owing mainly to the cost of equipment and services, poverty, making NTIC inaccessible to a good part of the population, mainly women, and the very high illiteracy rate (8.5% in 2002 in general and 91.1% amongst women, compared to an average of 37.7 in Africa and 46.8 among women% respectively). As a result, only 19% of the persons familiar with the application of NTIC are women and they use it primarily for office processing tasks. They do not know how to use the internet tool, and are thus unable to conduct research to find out about the status of gender isssues in other coutnries. They are unable to improve their knowledge of theer rights and those of their children, much less get trained or find out about business opportunities (for REFAO-Niger for example), the product processing and conservation technologies, the production intensification and stockbreeding techniques, etc. There is need for support to broaden access to information and communication in favor of women. Such expansion is feasible to the extent that two projects, Education I and II financed by ADF will help provide literacy training for many women in the country, through the centers to be constructed to that end.

3.4 Population Issues 3.4.1 In June 2001, Niger had 10.8 million inhabitants, with approximately 50.14 men as compared to 49.86 men. The most heavily populated departments were Maradi (52,7 inhabitants per km2) and Dosso (43,7 inhabitants per km2); conversely, the two departments covering the largest areas, which are Agadez and Diffa, have the lowest populations: 0.5 and 2.21 inhabitants per square kilometer, respectively. The other departments have densities exceeding the national average. In 2001, 57% of the urban population of Niger was found in 3 of the country’s 40 towns: Niamey, the capital, (674,950 inhabitants), Zinder (170,574 inhabitants) and Maradi (147,038 inhabitants).

3.4.2 From 5,102,990 inhabitants in 1977, the population attained 10.8 million in 2001. Its population has thus doubled in less than 24 years and its density has increased (4.03 inhts/km2 in 1977, 5.72 hts/km2 in 1988 and 8.5 inhts/km2 in 2001). This situation shows that this growth rate of 3.10% persists and that serious efforts are required to contain the evolution of the population, characterized by its youth (50% under 15 years) and a total fertility rate of 7.5 children per woman and life expectancy at birth of 48 years (48.9 for women and 46.7 for men), whereas the African average is 54 years. The Government’s efforts with the support of UNFPA, to revise the National Population Policy Statement adopted in 1992 should be backed in order to control growth, bearing in mind the need to match growth with economic development. 4. THE PROJECT 4.1 Design and Basis 4.1.1 The project approach involves undertaking strategic activities to support the other Bank activities, notably those envisaged as part of social sector projects (Education, health and poverty reduction) and it falls in line with the PRS drawn up by the Government. Regarding gender, the PRS underscores the participation of all the components of the nation in removing the impediments to meeting the needs of women, so as to create the conditions for their participation in the country’s development process. Therefore, this project has been designed in conformity with the Bank’s Country Strategy Paper for Niger (2002-2004), the Bank’s gender policy and that concerning women’s advancement, Niger’s gender profile, drawn up by the Bank in 2002, and also the government’s PRS. The Project also takes into account the United Nations 2004-2007 Development Aid Framework (UNDAF) for Niger and also supports the measures the country has taken to attain the millennium

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Development Goals, especially concerning gender promotion and equality and women’s autonomy, HIV/AIDS control, improved maternal health and deriving benefits of the new information and communication technology accessible to all. 4.1.2 The project has been identified/prepared based on a participatory approach through consultation in Niamey, Maradi and Tahoua, of grassroots organizations, opinion leaders (religious and traditional heads and leaders of political parties) It was extended to parliamentarians, to Civil Society organizations (AFJN, AFE, REFAO-Niger, ANDDH, some heads of NGOs, including Vision mondiale, Children without Borders, Democratic gathering of Niger women (RDFN), Niger Family Planning Association (ANBEF) and the Public Service, including the magistrature. The discussions that precede the definition of the project also involved the other development partners, notably, the representatives of the principal institutions such as Coopération et l’Action Culturelle of the French Embassy, the World Bank, Agence française de Développement, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Swiss Cooperation system, USAID, the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the European Union, which have shown the desire to make commitments along side the Government in the implementation of the PRS. The consultations concerning the design, monitoring and implementation of the project have enabled beneficiaries to own the proposed action. 4.1.3 It is with all these parties concerned, that the idea of the project, the activities envisaged and the conditions for their implementation were discussed and validated. The exchanges further allowed for coordination of the actual or envisaged support in order to avoid duplication and increase the chances of meeting the objectives identified: the project thus complements the previous Bank operations in Niger, especially Education Projects I and II, under implementation, which include activities for the advancement and enrolment of girls in the basic cycle 1 (public and private) and at the Secondary level, and women’s literacy programmes. It also dovetails with the activities of the following projects: I) reinforcement of local care at Maradi and Diffa (Health I); ii) Improvement of Health Care (Health II) for activities concerning reproductive health and HIV/AIDS control; and iii) poverty reduction relating to credit facilities, access of poor populations to basic community infrastructure and promotion of the civil society. The equality and equity aspects of the measures will raise the efficiency of our projects. 4.1.4 In terms of its implementation modalities, the present project has drawn lessons from past Bank Group operations in Niger (See Summary of Bank Group Operations in Niger in Annex III). In the social sector, the Bank’s intervention in Niger involved the financing in 1987 of the study for improvement of the science teaching at the secondary level. This study revealed the constraints in the education and training sector, while Education I which ensued contributed to the implementation of the educational policy, increasing the capacities of primary and secondary establishments, developing women’s literacy activities and lastly, promoting the schooling of girls. Health I, for its part, contributed to: I) reinforcing the health infrastructure in the Maradi and Diffa Departments; ii) improving the efficiency and efficacy of the staff of health establishments in the local care sector; and iii) building programming, supervision, evaluation and training capacities of the Maradi Department Health Department. The poverty reduction project among other results, helped provide underprivileged groups with types of credit, ease the access of the poor, especially the women, to grassroots community infrastructure (health units, literacy centers, cereal banks, rural markets, well/boreholes, reservoirs and feeder roads) and promote the development of the civil society. 4.1.5 Since Education Project II and the Health project have just started up, it is too early to make judgments and draw lessons concerning their implementation. However, it is noted that during the implementation of the others, the ADB procedures were generally respected. Nevertheless, there were major delays in meeting the conditions precedent to the first disbursement, putting in place the credit component and carrying out the construction work. These projects also suffered owing to the

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suspension of disbursements as a result of non-payment of debt arrears and the executing agencies’ limited management capacity. The activity reports were regularly prepared and transmitted to the Bank, but those for the audits were sometimes late. The mid-term reviews were not conducted as envisaged. Health I Project has been completed however the completion report has not been prepared. The lessons learnt have been taken into account in mounting the present project and steps have been envisaged to enable it be more efficiently executed. These mainly concern: i) relaxing the conditions precedent to the first disbursement; ii) envisaging a project launching mission during which the roles of the various parties will be further detailed; iii) organization of at least two supervision missions yearly; iv) the effective conduct of the mid-term review, after two years of implementation; and the organization in Niger of periodical meetings (during each supervision mission and during the mid-term review) with other partners and within the Bank, with the members of country team to discuss problems and seek appropriate solutions, and iv) reinforcing the project implementation unit by providing it the necessary specialists. 4.2 Project Areas and Beneficiaries Project Areas 4.2.1 Given the aspect of gender parity described in chapter 3, the project will cover the entire territory (see Annex IV for the administrative/Project Area Map), with the exception of Agades (Agades Commune, Tchirozérine and Arlit) and Zinder (Mirriah), which are already covered by the «Gender Initiative » Project being financed by UNFPA (specifically activities relating to dissemination of legal texts concerning women’s rights, dissemination of laws ratified by Niger and building the capacity of women to participate in the political process). The present project thus covers the national territory but for activities other than those already conducted by UNPFA. The activities envisaged concern institutional building, notably geared toward improved awareness of gender by opinion leaders (religious and traditional heads and heads of political parties.), members of parliament, Civil society organizations, delegates of schools and university establishments, advocacy addressing the populations, on various themes (population and development/ family planning, local development, education of girls and negative traditional practices such as sexual mutilation and early marriages). 4.2.2 In addition, the human rights extension activities, sensitization on the Persons and family code (as soon as it has been prepared) and the Convention on the elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, also refresher training for the 1055 AFJN liaison officers and support to the legal clinics. The activities will thus supplement those conducted under the UNFPA «Gender Initiative » Project. . Project Beneficiaries 4.2.3 In light of the constraints mentioned above, the project beneficiaries will comprise several target groups, the first being the opinion leaders (all the 230 traditional chiefs, the 14230 religious leaders and 300 members of 30 political parties), the members of Government (50), the parliamentarians (120), considered as the most sensitive group in that the transmission of the gender equity concerns somewhat hinges on a favorable transformation of their behavior in this regard. They will receive training on gender issues. The second group is made up of civil society organizations such as AFJN, AFE, les legal clinics and ANDDH and the private sector (50 members of REFAO-Niger). The third group will be made of staff of state agencies, which will receive long and short-term training in different areas. Lastly, the fourth group concerns the population at large, which will benefit from campaigns on human rights awareness, the persons and family code, CEDEF, the concept of gender and various themes such as family planning and negative traditional practices. The beneficiary population also includes the youth of educational and university establishments (284) who are required to adopt attitudes favoring gender.

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4.3 Strategic Context 4.3.1 The project has been appraised at the time when the Niger Government has just adopted the Law on quotas. This law states that, upon proclamation of the result of legislative elections, the number of elected candidates of one sex or the other should not be below 10% and, for appointment of members of Government or promotion to State positions, the proportions of either sex must not be below 25%. The project is further in a major strategic context, since the discussions on the Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women are being revised and it is also planned to review the PRS in June 2004. During this review, the government and the Civil Society intend to reinforce the action envisaged in the area of gender. There is thus a strategic context favoring the promotion of gender equity. The project is perfectly in line with the SRP, Niger’s major document for orientation of economic and social policy. It is therefore expected to reinforce the Government’s capacity to develop clear frameworks of reference with regard to gender and to attain the millennium development Goals. 4.3.2 The project will help provide Niger the Human Resources it requires for the design, planning and Management of gender activities and make the population in general more receptive to the issue of gender, through the measures to be launched targeting the beneficiaries identified. The government is aware that poverty reduction requires the full and entire participation of all the country’s social segments and that it is important to remove the obstacles to optimal contribution of women in the development process. It is in corresponds to the Bank’s country Strategy Paper for Niger (2002-2004) and the Bank’s policies on gender and the advancement of women, and takes account of the gender profile for Niger drawn up by the Bank and of the Government PRS. 4.3.3 The project is situated in another particular context, which is that of the preparation for major elections (local in June 2004, legislative and presidential in December 2004). In this regard, several bilateral and multilateral cooperation partners and a good part of the civil society, notably the women’s organizations, are working to create a political, institutional, legal and socio-cultural environment that favors the reduction of disparities and particularly, the application and compliance with the Law on quotas with regard to elections. The measures envisaged under the project will help reinforce the participation of women in the political and decision–making processes.

4.4 Project Objectives The project’s sector objective is to contribute to attaining the millennium development goals relating to Gender. The specific objectives are to: i) contribute to building the capacities for design, planning and management of gender activities; and ii) contribute to developing a social environment that is conducive to gender equity.

4.5 Description of Outputs and Components 4.5.1 The project hinges on the three following contexts: i) capacity building; ii) improving the legal context and women’s access to information and communication; and, iii) project management. The project will finance activities that will be presented in accordance with three expenditure categories, as follows: A: Goods; B: Services and C: running. Below are the outputs and detailed project activities by component.

Component I: Capacity Building 4.5.2 Under this component, clear and specific reference frameworks will be provided for gender, through revision of the national social development policy, including its the four sector

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policies, and formulation of a national gender strategy and a ten-year plan for gender development. The component also seeks to develop the competent human resources necessary for the design, planning and management of gender activities, through a series of training sessions to be conducted locally and abroad. The Ministry concerned will also be provided with appropriate equipment; both in its central units and in the regions (regional departments) so as to enable it effectively follow up gender activities. . 4.5.3 The component further aims at increasing awareness concerning the concept of gender, on the part of the opinion leaders, parliamentarians, Civil Society organizations (Heads of NGOs and women ’s associations) staff of the central and de-concentrated public services (including judges and assessors), members of Government and delegates of school and university establishments, to enable their members to ultimately gain a full appreciation and grasp of the said concept, with the aim of bringing about the expected gender-related changes in the society. Also advocacy will be conducted addressing the population on different themes, such as family planning and negative traditional practices, in order to bring about a change behavior, for optimal gender equity. Goods 4.5.4 In order to enable the Central Departments: Studies and Programming Department (DEP), Administrative and Financial Affairs Department (DAAF), DDSSN, DPF, Population Department (DP), the DL and the Regional Departments (DR) of MDSPPFPE to efficiently accomplish their missions, it is planned to provide them computer equipment (complete sets) and photocopiers. 4.5.5 In addition, a 4x4 vehicle will be provided to DEP for the accomplishment of its principal mission, concerning support for implementation of sector policies, coordination monitoring and evaluation of the programming of sector projects and programmes and particularly the monitoring of gender indicators. This vehicle will be shared with DP for gathering, processing and dissemination missions concerned with the evolving population trends, in collaboration with the statistics units of the Ministry of Economic Planning and finance. DEP will also receive furniture and equipment (2 desks, 2 chairs, 2 cupboards, 6 meeting tables, one data show and 20 chairs). Also envisaged are connections with the other MDSPPFPE units and the establishment of a web site for improved dissemination/extension of information on the progress achieved in gender activities. The project envisages the procurement of 16 motorcycles using the national counterpart contribution, for the eight (8) DR, in order to enable them carry out the regional missions assigned to the Ministry, such as the monitoring of gender activities. They will also be provided faxes and photocopiers. Services 4.5.6 To ensure coherence of the different existing sector policies, the project will finance the services of a consulting firm (24 P/M) needed for the revision of the national Social Development Policy, formulation of a National gender Strategy and a PDDG. To support the DEP, the project will involve technical assistance (48 P/M), for the monitoring evaluation of gender indicators, there will be coordination of all the related activities within the Ministry and in the other departments, and the annual updating of the gender–specific data base and studies on gender–based violence and gender relations, respectively, to allow for better understanding of gender issues in Niger, and thus facilitate decision making in this regard. 4.5.7 For improved perception of gender issues, and in order to secure the support of all parties for this approach in the development programmes envisaged, the project will involve local training (to be conducted by trainers already available within MDSPPFPE) for the opinion leaders (50 members of the regional houses of traditional chiefs, 50 regional religious leaders and 300 heads of 30 political parties), 120 parliamentarians, 200 civil society heads (AFJN, AFE, REFAO- Niger, ANDDH), 122 members of focal points of ministries, managers of the central administration

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(11500 and of regional administrations (400), members of government, including Secretaries General of the ministries (50), judges and assessors (60) and delegates of educational establishments (284). The training of these opinion leaders will first be in the form of workshops for three days, and two days for the others. The training of the opinion leaders will subsequently be resumed, twice a year for the duration of the project. These same target groups mentioned above will in turn train their members (cascade training for 180 other traditional chiefs and 14 180 other religious heads) in twice-yearly session (3 days) for the duration of the project. All this training will be conducted in the regions, departments, villages and settlements. In order to guarantee the success of the operation, the trainers will prepare a plan of the awareness/training activities, to be given to each representative of the leaders, for rigorous compliance, so as to avoid any slippage in the transmission of messages. This activity will be monitored in the field by the regional departments of MDSPPFPE, which will receive the required resources to that end. . 4.5.8 To enable MDSPPFPE acquire the human resources that can effectively contribute to the promotion of activities for gender equity, the project will finance training for the staff of the Technical Departments. In the case of DP, 3 months training will be provided for one staff member, in population, gender and development and a 2-day local seminar held on population, gender and development for 60 ministry staff. 4.5.9 In order to pursue the activities for the monitoring of gender indicators following the technical assistance, the project will provide for DEP, a 3-month training programme in gender statistics for one staff member. In addition it will finance 3 months’ training in development planning for one staff member and another 3 months’ training in gender and women’s rights for a DPF staff member. There will also be shorter training programmes, such as in management of women’s entrepreneurship for two officers (2 months) and another in management of community lands for this same department. The ministry will also be generally strengthened through the training of 3 staff members in gender-related aspects, for 9 months abroad. 4.5.10 Other training workshops to be organized for the ministry are: communication training for 50 officers of central, regional and sub-regional offices for 2 days; computer training for 30 central, regional and sub-regional officers. The training in communication will be provided by study firms to be recruited, and computer training, by the Computer Department of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. These training sessions will be conducted by study firms to be recruited. 4.5.11 The advocacy activities targeting men, women and adolescents will be conducted by NGOs to be recruited. This advocacy will be on the following themes: population, gender and development, family planning, HIV/AIDS control, negative traditional practices (sexual mutilation and early marriages), schooling for girls and protection of the physical and human environment. It will be conducted once yearly in the regions, departments, and villages, in order to mobilize all the social segments, with a view to changing perceptions and behavior and thereby developing a social context that is conducive to gender equity. Lastly, opinion leaders will be sent on study tours: 1 trip to Tunisia and Senegal for 5 persons: a Member of Parliament, 1 religious head, 1 traditional head, 1 head of a women’s’ NGO and 1 MDSPPFPE staff member, who will learn firsthand about the experiences of these countries with regard to population and family planning. Running 4.5.12 The project will finance the operating costs covering fuel and office supplies for DEP, DP and the regional Departments. It will further cover the costs of DEP field missions and maintenance and servicing costs for vehicles, motorcycles and computer equipment for the different services.

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Component II: Improvement of the legal framework and women’s access to information/communication

4.5.13 To eliminate the gender-based discrimination and increase the access of the various underprivileged groups to information and communication, this component will finance the following activities: i) formulation of the Persons and Family code, which is the fundamental text governing relations between men, women and children, and its extension to the populations; ii) extension of the CEDEF; and iii) sensitization of the populations on human rights. It will also support AFJN, ANDDH and REFAO-Niger with a view to building their capacities to ensure equity in the legal context. Lastly, this component will finance the establishment of a community center providing the multimedia facilities needed for information, education and training in favor of women and the related operating costs. Goods 4.5.14 To enable AFJN to efficiently conduct its missions, especially relating to free legal assistance for all persons (men, women and children) who require it and assistance in any hearings that may arise, the project will finance procurement of a vehicle for its Niamey Office. This assistance facilitates the access of defendants to judges and makes it possible to give them the necessary advice. The project will equip a multimedia center in Niamey with computers (10) and furniture to enable women to get trained and educated and communicate. After two years of operation this center will be place under the management of a private agency whose services will be procured by competitive bidding on behalf of REFAO-Niger. The eight legal clinics and ANDDH will moreover be equipped with complete computer sets (1 for each clinic), with the aim of strengthening their human rights sensitization activities, through dissemination of the necessary information.

Services

4.5.15 As part of the transformation of gender relations (between men and women), this component will finance the cost of the services of the study firms to be recruited (24 P/M) which will be needed for the formulation of the persons and family code following broad consultations with the various population segments. This unique legislative text, taking account of the tradition, religion, social realities and rights of persons, will help palliate the shortcomings arising from the coexistence of three sources of law concerning, for example the family, the marriage age, the matrimonial system, succession, access to decision making and land, livestock, plant and water resources. Two years after the entry into force of he Gant protocol, the Government will transmit to ADF a copy of the Persons and Family code, as adopted by the National Assembly. 4.5.16 In addition, the NGOs to be recruited will conduct sensitization concerning the code, the Quota law and the CEDEF. This advocacy will be conducted once a year during the project period, through direct contacts with the populations in their regions. It will also be by: a) radio broadcasts (French and national languages, once a month); and b) subtitled or dubbed television broadcasts once a month. Two years after the entry into force of the Grant Protocol, a copy of ordinance n° 99-30 of 13 August 1999, without reserves and authorizing Niger’s accession to the CEDEF will be transmitted to ADF. The project will finance the services of the NGO (to be recruited) for the extension of human rights to men women and adolescents. It will also finance the refresher training of the 1005 AFJN liaison agents (training to be conducted by MDSPPFPE trainers) and training of the 10 ANDH supervisors in information. 4.5.17 Lastly, to enable women who have almost never have the opportunity, to use the new information technology and to incorporate the gender aspect through the use of the NTIC, training in these new technologies will be provided for about 200 women, throughout the territory. The

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recruitment will be through Regional Departments and in collaboration with REFAO-Niger. This training will be by the Computer Department of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance, which not only has the necessary tools, but also substantial experience in that area. Lastly, study tours will be organized for staff of REFAO-Niger (2), AFJN (1) and ANDDH (1) in Tunisia and Senegal as part of the exchange of information on gender. Running 4.5.18 The project will cover the financing of the costs of the women’s multimedia community center (computer programmers’ allowance). The computer maintenance and servicing cost will also be covered, as will the salaries of the watchman and the maintenance person (by REFAO-Niger).

Component III: Project Management

4.5.19 This component provides support to DPF, which is responsible for the project management, so as to enable it efficiently conduct the activities planned. The DPF will thus be assigned additional staff, comprising a project coordinator, an accountant specializing in procurement and support staff. This staff will be recruited by invitation of applications. The project will also finance procurement of additional goods for this staff and cover the related operating costs.

Goods

4.5.20 The project will finance the additional equipment (vehicle, photocopier, four computers and motorcycle). It will also finance the additional furniture including desks, and chairs. Services 4.5.21 The project will finance the audit (8 P/M) of the project accounts, formulation of the project implementation manual (3 P/M), services (2 P/M) for organization of the mid-term review, preparation of the completion report (5 P/M). In addition, a coordinator and a procurement specialist will be recruited for the implementation of the project (48 P/M for each expert). Running 4.5.22 The operating expenditure (fuel, office supplies, telephone, publication of tender invitations and mail procedures) will be covered. Other expenditure will also be covered by the project, such as the DPF allowance, the vehicle and motorcycle insurance, the vehicle and computer equipment maintenance and servicing costs, and fuel. The project will contribute to financing the annual and quarterly meetings of the steering committee as well as the missions for coordination of the project at Bank headquarters for two persons once a year. It will also cover the mission expenses of the steering committee members. The Government will finance the costs of consumption of water and electricity.

4.6 Impact on the Environment The project is placed in environmental category III; it does not involve any activities that would have a negative impact on the environment. Its impact would be rather positive. Indeed, the awareness campaigns to be carried out amongst the populations on selected themes will cover environmental protection. The populations will be shown how to gather and dispose of household refuse, maintain latrines and enhance their compounds and surroundings and they will be sensitized on the need to plant and care for trees in order to avoid deforestation.

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4.7 Project Costs The total cost of the project, exclusive of taxes and duty, is estimated at UA 3.16 million, comprising UA 1.16 million in foreign exchange and UA 2.00 million in local currency. The project cost includes an average provision of 4.59% for physical contingencies and 3.66% yearly for price contingencies. The cost estimate was prepared during the appraisal mission, based on information gathered from MEF, MDSPPFPE and other technical and financial partners. The detailed project costs are described in Annex V of the present report. Tables 4.1 and 4.2 below sum up the project cost breakdown per component and per category of expenditure.

Table 4.1: Project costs by Component (in UA million)

XOF Million UA Million COMPONENTS F.E. L.C. Total F.E L.C. Total % Total Cost

1 Capacity building 561.52 980.78 1 542.30 0.72 1.25 1.97 62.43%

2 Improvement of the legal context and of women’s access to information/communication

177.25 293.34 470.59 0.23 0.38 0.60 19.05%

3 Project Management 100.53 153.16 253.69 0.13 0.20 0.32 10.27%

Total Base Cost 839.30 1 427.27 2 266.58 1.07 1.83 2.90 91.75% Physical Contingencies 41.97 71.36 113.33 0.05 0.09 0.14 4.59% Price contingencies 23.61 66.75 90.37 0.03 0.09 0.12 3.66% Total project Cost 904.88 1 565.39 2 470.27 1.16 2.00 3.16 100,00%

Table 4.2: Project Costs by Category of Expenditure (in UA million)

XOF Million UA Million

CATEGORY OF EXPENDITURE F.E L.C. Total F.E. L.C. Total % Total Cost

Goods 128.10 46.64 174.74 0.16 0.06 0.22 7.07% Services 711.20 1 194.40 1 905.61 0.91 1.53 2.44 77.14% Operation 0.00 186.23 186.23 0.00 0.24 0.24 7.54% Total Base Cost 839.30 1 427.27 2 266.58 1.07 1.83 2.90 91.75% Contingencies 41.97 71.36 113.33 0.05 0.09 0.14 4.59% Price contingencies 23.61 66.75 90.37 0.03 0.09 0.12 3.66% Total Project Cost 904.88 1 565.39 2 470.27 1.16 2.00 3.16 100.00%

4.8 Financing Sources 4.8.1 The project will be financed jointly by ADF (grant) and the Government of Niger. The ADF contribution (UA 3.00 Million) covers 100% (UA 1.16 million) of the foreign exchange costs and 92% (UA 1.84 million) of the local currency costs. The grant will finance part of the costs of all the components and all the categories of expenditure. The Government’s contribution (UA 0.16 million) represents 5 % of the total project cost. It covers 8% of the local currency costs and will be used to

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finance part of the expenditure categories concerning goods and operating costs. The activities to be financed are in accordance with the guidelines for utilization of the ADF grant, especially for capacity building and the monitoring of gender indicators.

4.8.2 The list of goods and services, provided in the table in Annex VI and tables 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 below sum up the breakdown of the total project cost by source of finance, foreign exchange and local currency, component and category of expenditure.

Table 4.3: Project Costs by Financing Source (in UA million)

% by Financing Sources SOURCES F.E L.C. TOTAL

ADF Grant 1.16 1.84 3.00 95.00%

GVT 0.00 0.16 0.16 5.00%

TOTAL 1.6 2.00 3.16 100.0%

Table 4.4: Project Costs by Component and by Financing Source (in UA million)

ADF Grant GVT TOTAL % COMPONENTS F.E. L.C. Total L.C. Devises L.C. Total Comp.

Capacity Building 0.77 1.30 2.07 0.07 0.77 1.37 2.15 67.99%

Improvement of legal context and women’s access to information/communication

0.24 0.37 0.62 0.04 0.24 0.41 0.66 20.85%

Project management 0.14 0.17 0.31 0.05 0.14 0.21 0.35 11.16%

Total project Cost 1.16 1.84 3.00 0.16 1.16 2.00 3.16 100%

Table 4.5: Project Cost by category of Expenditure and Finance Source (in UA Million)

ADF Grant GVT TOTAL % CATÉGORIES OF EXP. F.E. L.C. Total L.C. F.E. L.C. Total Categ.

Goods 0.18 0.01 0.18 0.06 0.18 0.06 0.24 7.65%

Services 0.98 1.67 2.65 - 0.98 1.67 2.65 84.01%

Running - 0.16 0.16 0.10 - 0.26 0.26 8.34%

Total Cost 1.16 1.84 3.00 0.16 1.16 2.00 3.16 100%

5. PROJECT IMPLMENTATION 5.1 Executing Agency 5.1.1 The project will be implemented by the DPF within the MDSPPFPE. This Department has already, with the support of an executing agency, implemented the “Gender Initiative” Project, financed by UNFPA. This first phase of the project has just been completed. The services of the Executing

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Agency have ended but discussions are underway with the Government concerning the overall structure of the said project, as well as the modalities of its second phase of execution. The DPF’s mission is to carry out actions contributing to the advancement of women and their involvement in the country’s economic, social political, legal and cultural development. 5.1.2 It has senior and middle-level skilled staff to carry out this work. However, given the magnitude of the tasks assigned to DPF through its two divisions (Women’s Advancement Strategies Division and Development of Women’s activities Division), it will be strengthened with additional human resources for the purposes of the project. The additional staff will be made up of a project coordinator, an accountant, a procurement specialist and support staff. The Government will furnish ADF with proof of the designation of DPF as the project executing agency. 5.1.3 The selection of DPF is justified by its experience in the coordination of the «Gender Initiative» project and the concern to build on the outputs. DPF will be assigned the following tasks: (i) to coordinate all the project activities with those of the other technical services concerned, notably the regional MDSPPFPE Departments; (ii) liaise with the Bank; (iii) Conduct administrative management of the project and all its components; (iv) prepare and transmit to ADF quarterly and annual activity reports; (v) prepare mid-term reviews; (vi) prepare tender invitations; (vii) verify and transmit disbursement requests to ADF; and (viii) draw up the performance and evaluation criteria for the different technical service providers involved in the project activities. The DPF will contribute to the implementation of the project activities. The staff of its Women’s advancement Division (DSPF), through its three units (Gender Integration; Legal Status of Women; and Women’s leadership Reinforcement) and the two of its Women’s Activities Development Division (Women’s Involvement in Studies; and Research), will, according to their specializations, make their contribution to the implementation of the project activities. 5.1.4 The DPF activities will be supervised by a project steering committee (see annex VI for the project Organization Chart), made up of representatives of the three following departments: MDSPPFPE (3, at least 2 being women), Ministry of Health and Epidemics Control (1 women), Ministry of Basic Education 1 and Literacy Education (1 woman), Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance (1), in Niger Network of Women’s Entrepreneurship (1), Coordination of women’s NGOs (CONGAFEN) (1), Kassai NGO Group (collectif des ONG Kassai) (1), Ministry of Communication (1 woman), Ministry of Justice (1). The Project Steering Committee (CPP) will be chaired by the Secretary General of MDSPPFPE or his representative. As part of supervision and coordination of the project, the CPP will take decisions concerning annual budget programming analyze the progress made, deal with matters requiring arbitration, and provide DPF the appropriate guidelines and directives for the smooth implementation of the project. The Government will provide ADF evidence of the establishment of the Steering Committee comprising representatives of all the parties concerned. At the decentralized level, the regional Departments of the Ministry of Social Development, Population and Advancement of Women and protection of Children will monitor project activities.

5.2 Institutional Arrangements CPP will be coordinating all the DPF activities. To that end, it will hold meetings once a quarter and whenever necessary. The NGO and the study firms will be recruited based on competition for all the services relating to sensitization on the Persons and Family code, human rights, the extension of CEDEF and the Quota Law and the different themes envisaged and the training planned. DEP will be involved in monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators, coordination of all related activities within the Ministry and other departments, and the annual updating of the gender-specific database. DP will be responsible for collecting, processing and disseminating information on the population evolution and trends, in collaboration with the statistics units of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. DPF, in conjunction with other departments will be in charge of the training opinion leaders. The DR will monitor activities, notably the effective conduct of the different

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sensitization campaigns (human rights, various themes and sensitization relating to the persons and family code and the CEDEF) and the training envisaged in the regions. For all the activities envisaged, very specific terms of reference have been drawn up and will further elaborated and rigorously monitored and evaluated.

5.3 Implementation and Expenditure Schedule 5.3.1 The project will be implemented over a period of four years. The provisional implementation timetable provided in Annex VII is summed up below:

Table 5.1: Implementation and Supervision Timetable

ACTIVITIES DATES PARTIES RESPONSIBLE Board Approval June 2004 ADF Effectiveness September 2004 Government/ADF Launching Mission November 2004 ADF Recruitment of technical assistance December 2004 t March 2005 DPF/Study firm Procurement of furniture and equipment January 2005 ADF/DPF Training/ Sensitization January 2005 to December 2007 ADF Mid-term Review June 2005 ADF/ Government Running October 2004 to December 2007 ADF/ Government Government completion report June 2007 Government ADF Completion report December 2007 ADF/ Government 5.3.2 As soon as the grant is approved, ADF will organize a launching mission. ADF will also undertake supervision and mid-term reviews, in accordance with the following schedule:

Table 5.2: Supervision and mid-term review Plan Years Nature of missions Number of missions Composition of missions

1 Launching and supervision 1 2

Project officer/PPRU/FFCO Project officer/PPRU/FFCO

2 Supervision Mid-term review

2 1

Project officers Project officers/PTF/Government

3 Supervision completion

2 1

Project Officer/consultant Project officer/ Government

5.3.3 All the expenses will in accordance with the list of goods and services provided in Annex VIII, and the schedule of expenditure by component, category of expenditure and source of financing is presented in tables 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 below:

Table 5.3: Schedule of expenditure by Component (in UA million) Years

COMPONENTS

2004 2005 2006 2007 Total %

1 Capacity building 0.05 0.81 0.69 0.60 2.15 67.99

2 Improving the legal framework and the access of women to information and communication

0.05 0.30 0.19 0.11 0.66 20.85

3 Project management 0.07 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.35 11.16

Total Project Cost 0.16 1.22 0.99 0.79 3.16 Percentage/Year 5.12% 38.68% 31.20% 25.01% 100%

100.00

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Table 5.4: Schedule of Expenditure by Category (in UA million)

Years

CATEGORIES

2004 2005 2006 2007 Total %

Goods 0.08 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.24 7.65

Services 0.07 0.97 0.90 0.73 2.65 84.01

Running 0.02 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.26 8.34

Total Project Cost 0.16 1.22 0.99 0.79 3.16 Percentage/year 5.12% 38.68% 31.20% 25.01% 100%

100.00

Table 5.5: Schedule of Expenditure by Financing Source (in UA million)

Year

FINANCING SOURCES

2004 2005 2006 2007 Total

ADF grant 0.15 1.16 0.94 0.75 3.00 GOVERNMENT 0.01 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.16 TOTAL 0.16 1.22 0.99 0.79 3.16 Percentage/year 5.12% 38.68% 31.20% 25.01% 100%

5.4 Procurement Arrangements The arrangements for procurement of goods and services are summed up in Table 5.6 below and detailed in accordance with the list of goods and services indicated in Annex VII. All procurement of goods and services financed by ADF will be in accordance with the Bank Rules of Procedure for procurement of goods and works or for the use of consultants’ services, based on the appropriate standard Bank tender documents.

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Table 5.6 Arrangements for Provision of Goods and Services

(In UA million)

CATÉGORIES OF EXPENDITURE National Comp.

Bidding Others Short list Total

GOODS :UA 0.24 million

. Equipment, furniture for MDSPPFPE; AFJN offices; 0,01 Multimedia center; legal clinics of ANDDH and DPF (0.01) . Office equipment, computer and audiovisual facilities for (0.14) 0,14 MDSPPFPE; 'AFJN; multimedia center, legal clinics and . Vehicles and motorcycles for DEP; DR; AFJN and DPF 0.09 0,09 (0,03) {0,06}

SERVICES : UA 2.65 million

Study tours (0.06*) 0,06

Training abroad (0.12) 0,12

Local training (1.07*) 1,07

Computer training (0.06) 0,06 Communication training (0.01) 0,01 Sensitization on Persons and Family code and (0.11) 0,11 CEDEF extension Sensitization of populations on human rights (0.11) 0,11 Sensitization of men, women, children: (0.18) 0,18

Population and development of family planning, negative traditional practices; local development

Review of PNDS- formulation of gender ten-year plan and NS (0.25) 0,25 Monitoring and evaluation of gender indicators; coordination Of gender activities and updating of gender –specific database (0.21) (0,21) Conduct of study on men/women relations (0.12) 0,12 And gender-based violence Setting up DEP website (0.003) 0,003 Formulation of persons and family code (0.16) 0,16 Formulation of project implementation manual (0.01) 0,01 Services for organization of mid-term review (0.01) 0,01 Preparation of project completion report (0.01) 0,01 Services of experts hired on contract for DPF (0.11) 0,11 Audit (0.05) 0,05

RUNNING: UA 0.26 million 0.26 0,26 Running {0.10}

(0.16) )

Total project cost

0,24

1.39 1.53 3.16

Grant

(0,18)

(1.29)

(1.53) (3.00)

Government {0.06} {0.10} _ {0.16} * = Direct negotiation; ( ) = Grant financing; { } = Government financing Goods (UA 0.24 million): National Competitive Bidding for the procurement: i) of furniture for the MDSPPFPE regional offices, the multimedia center, the legal clinics of ANDDH and the DPF (UA 0.1 million); ii) office equipment, computer and audiovisual facilities for the MDSPPFPE offices, the ANDDH, the multimedia center,

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the legal clinics and the DPF (UA 0.14 million); and iii) vehicles and motorcycles for the DR, DEP, AFJN and DPF (UA 0.09 million). This mode of procurement is justified by the fact that there are sufficient numbers of adequately qualified local providers to guarantee competition. Services (UA 2.65 Million): Bidding based on a shortlist for: i) training abroad on the themes of population, gender and development, gender statistics, management of community land, development planning, gender and law concerning women’s rights, management and women’s entrepreneurship (UA 0.12 million); ii) communication training (UA 0.01 million); iii) computer training for MDSPPFPE senior staff, of 200 women, and of supervisors of the legal clinics (UA 0.06 million); iv) sensitization of the populations on the Persons and Family code, extension of CEDEF and the Quota Law (UA 0.11 Million); v) sensitization of the populations on human rights (UA 0.11 million); sensitization on the different themes (UA 0.18 Million); vii) review of PNDS, formulation of Gender ten-year plan and national strategy (UA 0.25 million); viii) monitoring and evaluation of gender indicators; coordination of all the gender activities and upgrading of the gender-specific data base (UA 0.21 Million); ix) conduct of the study on relations between men and women and that on gender-based violence; F(UA 0.12 million) x) the setting up of a Website for DEP (UA 0.03 million; xi) formulation of the Persons and Family Code (UA 0.16 Million); xii) preparation of the project implementation manual (UA 0.01 million); xiii) services for the organization of the mid-term review (UA 0.01 million); xiv) drafting of the project completion report (UA 0l01 million); xv) the services of the experts on contract with PDF (UA 0.11 million); and xvi) project audit (UA 0.05 million). Direct Negotiation i) with MDSPPFPE for local training of opinion leaders and heads of civil society organizations and public service staff. It has a core group of gender trainers, previously trained under the “Gender Initiative» project financed by UNFPA; and ii) study tours (UA 0.06 million). Running: Procurement relating to the project operation (office supplies and fuel) will involve: i) shopping from suppliers for amounts below UA 20 000 and ii) tender invitations for contracts involving amounts higher than UA 20 000. 5.4.2 General Information Note on procurement of goods and services: The General Information Note on Procurement (NGA) adopted with the borrower during the grant agreement negotiations will be published in the «Development Business» review, as soon as the “Board of Directors approves the grant proposal, and also in the local press.

5.4.3 Approval Procedures: The following documents will be submitted for approval by ADF before being published: Specific Procurement Information Note; shortlists and letters of invitation to bid; tender documents; Bid evaluation reports containing contract award recommendations; Draft contracts, where the model contracts proposed as tender documents have been modified. .

5.5 Disbursement 5.5.1 Resources will be disbursed according to the schedule of expenditure. In that regard, two accounts will be opened in a commercial bank that meets ADF approval: the first to receive the grant resources and the second, to receive the grant recipient’s contribution to the financing of the project. Operations from these accounts will be subject to the principle of three signatures; those of the Director of Women’s Affairs (DPF), the Project coordinator and the Project Accountant. Each year, the government will be required to make timely payment of its contribution to the financing of the activities programmed for that year.

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5.5.2 Replenishments of the special account funds will be for the purpose of financing the current expenditure covering 4 months of activity of the project. Replenishment will be decided based on a programme of activities that will have been found acceptable by ADF, as well as the justification of the utilization of the previous replenishment. Direct payments may be made in respect of the contracts concluded. 5.6 Financial Reporting and Audits

The Accountant’s principal task will be to keep accounts that will enable him/her to follow up the operations by component, category of expenditure and financing source. Each year, an independent project audit mission will be conducted by an international firm approved by ADF and the Government. This audit will cover all aspects of project implementation (Annual verification of accounts, administrative management of the project and procurement of goods and services in conformity with the ADF procurement regulations).

5.7 Monitoring and Evaluation

Activity Reports 5.7.1 DPF will monitor activities, however each of the parties involved in the project implementation will transmit to it quarterly and annual reports on the implementation of their respective activities. DPF will consolidate these reports for regular transmission to ADF within the month following the end of the quarter under review. On completion of the project implementation, it will prepare the project completion report, with the support of a consultant. The reports will be prepared on quarterly and annual bases, in conformity with the relevant Bank guidelines.

Supervision 5.7.2 As soon as the grant has been approved and, following the recruitment of the additional staff, the Bank will organize a mission to Niger to launch the project. During the launching phase, the roles of the different parties will be clearly explained and discussed in order to facilitate the conduct of activities. ADF will conduct periodic supervision missions (at least twice yearly) to the different project sites. The authorities will be provided copies of the ensuing mission reports, to enable them take any action required. The monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators will be under the responsibility of the technical assistants to be recruited for DEP and this aspect will be discussed with the Bank and the partners during the supervision missions. Regarding communication, a strategy will be formulated to enable all the beneficiaries and development partners to be better informed of the project activities and outputs.

Mid-term Review

5.7.3 In the second year of implementation of the project, the Bank will organize a mid-term review with the aim of gauging and assessing the progress made in the implementation of the project in light of the initial objectives and, where necessary proposing corrective measures. It will involve all the stakeholders (beneficiaries, civil society and partner organizations). The recommendations from this review will be applied by DPF under the supervision of the CPP.

5.8 Aid Coordination 5.8.1 In Niger, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance is responsible for coordination of donor intervention, however for the purposes of this project, it is noted that a thematic group on Gender has been in existence since 1999, with the aim of supporting and ensuring inter-agency coordination with regard to Gender within the United Nations System in Niger. Its mandate is to: i) coordinate and

24

harmonize "gender mainstreaming" initiatives within the United Nations System; ii) draw up a joint strategy of support to the Government; ii) conduct advocacy activities within the UNS to seek budgetary provision for the promotion of gender; iv) develop partnership among multilateral and bilateral donors to encourage resource mobilization and support activities aimed strengthening gender–related skills; and v) establish communication concerning gender on a systematic basis between agencies, NGOs and the Government. 5.8.2 The project identification and appraisal missions have been discussed with most of the member agencies of this group, with a view to validating the proposed action. The Bank will rely on this thematic group, among other parties, to ensure the harmonious implementation of activities through participation in the annual review and joint supervision missions. The existence of this group in Niger will make for smoother coordination of gender activities.

6. SUSTAINABILITY AND PROJECT RISKS

6.1 Recurrent Expenditure 6.1.1 Given the nature of the activities to be conducted, the recurrent expenses incurred in the project implementation will concern the cost of maintenance of the goods to be procured for the central units and RD of MDSPPFPE, the multimedia community center and the Department of Women’s Affairs. They will also concern office rental and the operating costs of the multimedia centers. The Annual amount of these outlays is estimated at UA 0.03 million, representing 0.005% of the State budget for 2004 and 1.5% of that of MDSPPFPE. The recurrent costs of the project are thus such that they can be borne by the Government. 6.1.2 With total expenditure estimated at UA 0.03 million, REFAO-Niger will cover its share of the multimedia center management costs, which is UA 0.01 million. The annual project recurrent expenditure to be covered by the Government thus represents 0.02% of the State budget and 0.99% of that of MDSPPFPE. This is bearable for the Government, which has moreover undertaken to increase the MDSPPFPE budget by at least 2% yearly during the project implementation.

6.2 Sustainability

6.2.1 The fact that the project beneficiaries and the partners concerned with gender have come to own the project, based on their participation in the design and formulation of the project, as indicated in chapter 4.1.2, constitutes a factor of sustainability of the intervention. This support will continue through the implementation, up to the completion report stage. The project’s sustainability also derives from the investment for human resource training in gender specific and related areas, which will help bring about qualitative improvement of the persons in charge of implementation of gender projects and programmes, including the ongoing Bank projects. The establishment of the multimedia center, a private sector project, will be another factor of sustainability for the project.

6.2.2 The specific gender-related reference frameworks envisaged (National Gender Strategy and PDDG) will, in addition to the PRS, constitute a basis for all gender intervention in Niger. Further, the changes in behavior expected to occur within the society, on the strength of the populations’ enhanced perception of the gender concept and increased awareness concerning the principal themes targeted, such as family planning, negative traditional practices and HIV/AIDS, will favor their effective identification with the outputs of project and therefore the sustainability. Moreover, with the promulgation of the Persons and family code, Niger will acquire one fundamental texts that will enable it more effectively govern relations between men, women and children. Indeed the populations’ awareness of CEDEF and human rights will be a factor of sustainability of the project. .

25

6.3 Principal Risks and Mitigative Measure 6.3.1 The project’s prospects of success lie in the assumption of continued implementation of the Government’s poverty reduction strategy, and notably its vision whereby poverty reduction requires the participation of all the nations forces. To attain this objective, all impediments to the meeting of women’s needs must be eliminated. The project’s success also depends on the partners’ continued support to development and gender-related activities. There are four main areas of risk in that regard: (i) the Government’s reticence to cancel the reservations it expressed with regard to the CEDEF; ii) non-application of the quota law; (iii) irregular payment of the national counterpart in favor of the project, and iv) the lack of support from the opinion leaders (traditional chiefs, religious leaders and heads of political parties). 6.3.2 The first risk will be reduced considering the partners’ undertaking to pursue dialogue with the government with a view to canceling the said reservations. The second risk will also be lessened, since the Government has undertaken to apply the Quota law. In addition, the project provides for reinforcement of the focal points through extensive training on the concept of gender and the extension of this law amongst the populations, in addition to the dissemination already undertaken by other partners. The third risk will be hedged owing to the government’s undertaking to increase the budget allocation to MDSPPFPE by at least 2% yearly, during the project implementation. These resources will enable the government to regularly meet its commitment to finance the national counterpart required to finance the project activities. The fourth risk will be reduced on account of the training sensitization activities concerning gender, which will be conducted from the outset, as well as the reinforcement of this training, which will be organized each year. 7. PROJECT BENEFITS 7.1 Economic Benefits 7.1.1 the project will devote approximately 77,13% of its resources to the services to be provided by consulting firms (private sector) and NGOs, who will be the prime beneficiaries, especially in the case of studies and sensitization and training activities. The firms and NGOs will thus obtain contracts, and create some jobs. In addition, 7% of the project cost will be allocated to procurement of goods, which will provide contracts for suppliers. The establishment of the community multimedia center, which is expected to generate resources, which will without doubt be an economic benefit of the project.‘ The project will contribute to the implementation of the SRP, especially the gender dimension, which is a major facet of human resource development in Niger. In addition, the women will be empowered through the computer training, which will enable them to be more aware of their rights and get informed about business opportunities and appropriate technology for production, processing and conservation of products.

26

7.2 Social Impact 7.2.1 In line with the PRS, the project’s different outputs are geared towards poverty reduction. It thus makes a marked contribution to the attainment of the objectives set forth in the latter document and to the millennium goals, by creating conditions that facilitate the participation of all citizens (men, women and adolescents) in Niger’s development process. The review of the National Social Development Policy, the formulation of the National Gender strategy and the ten-year Gender development plan will provide the country precise reference frameworks that can later offer a more coherent perspective to guide all the interventions, and thus contribute to meeting the gender objectives. The strengthening of gender indicator monitoring/evaluation and periodical updating of gender-specific data will make for reliable information that can serve as bases for formulation of development projects and programmes. Also studies concerning gender-based violence and gender relations, respectively, will help improve the understanding of the gender situation in Niger and facilitate decision-making in that regard. 7.2.2 In addition, the training to be conducted in different fields (population, gender and development, communication, gender aspects, new information and communication technologies, development planning, etc) will have a positive impact to the extent that the country will acquire competent human resources to efficiently conduct gender-related activities. This capacity building will also be conducted through other training, for example 1 person in management and women’s entrepreneurship, 3 in gender, 50 employees in computer processing. Lastly, the activities to improve gender awareness amongst opinion leaders (all 230 traditional chiefs and 13230 Religious leaders, 300 heads of political parties) parliamentarians, members of civil society organizations will help produce major changes within the populations with regard to. 7.3 Impact on women and poverty reduction 7.3.1 The Persons and Family code will be a positive development for women and poverty reduction, since it will make it possible to better manage relations between men, women and children, based on principal of equality and equity. It will make it possible to reduce the problems (family law, the marriage age, matrimonial systems, succession, access to decision-making and land, livestock, plant and water resources) arising from the different sources of law. The human rights extension and sensitization in favour of the populations will increase awareness of women’s rights, and therefore allow women more power to build their capacities and thereby increase their; participation in development. 7.3.2 In addition, the sensitization of the populations on the different themes, including HIV/AIDS, family planning and negative traditional practices will make for the adoption of more appropriate practices. With the advocacy targeting opinion leaders, it is expected that by 2007; i) there will be at least 10% women mayors, as compared to 5% in 2004 and; ii) the Quota Law will be under application. Lastly, by improving women’s access to information and communication, following the establishment of the multimedia community centers and the training of about 200 women in NTIC, the project will help strengthen gender equity within the population, as more women venture into socio-cultural spheres (education, health, women’s status) as well as economic spheres.

27

8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 8.1 Conclusion

8.1.1 The project constitutes a major contribution to the Government’s PRS with regard to Gender promotion in Niger. Through the various outputs projected, it will build the capacities of the State agencies and State and private sector organizations for promotion of gender dimensions. Concretely, this strengthening will consist in the support for review of the National Social Development Policy, the formulation of a National Gender Strategy and a Ten-year Gender Development Plan, the strengthening of activities for monitoring/evaluation of gender indicators and the implementation of studies on gender-based violence and gender relations, towards a better understanding of the issue of gender in Niger. The training activities concerning gender and related aspects are also geared towards improved perception of gender issues on the part of opinion leaders (all 230 religious leaders and 14 230 traditional heads and 300 heads of political parties), members of parliament, pupil and student representatives and 200 members of civil society organizations. They will help bring about major changes in behavior within the population with regard to gender. 8.1.2 The setting up of the multimedia community center and training of about 200 women in the NTICs, will help reinforce gender equity through increased participation of women and girls in the socio-cultural and economic spheres. In addition, the formulation of the Persons and Family code will make it possible to counter the problems arising from the three sources of law, and the extension of CEDEF, followed by the sensitization of the populations on human rights will be apt responses to the gender issues raised in Niger. The project, which has been designed and formulated using a participatory approach, with the effective involvement of the different parties concerned (beneficiaries, public authorities, civil society, NGOs and development partners) therefore represents a significant contribution towards i) the millennium development goals regarding women’s advancement and autonomy and gender equality, HIV/AIDS control, improved maternal health, and access to the new information communication and technology for all; and ii) the objectives of the Bank Group 2002-2004 operations strategy for Niger, mainly geared towards poverty reduction in support of the Government’s PRS. 8.2 Recommendations and Conditions for Approval of ADF Grant Conditions precedent to the entry into force of ADF grant 8.2.1 The entry into force of the grant protocol will be subject to the Donee’s fulfillment of the relevant provisions of the General Conditions Applicable to Loan and Guarantee Agreements of the Bank and the General Conditions applicable to Grant Protocols.

Conditions precedent to the first disbursement 8.2.2 ADF will only release the first disbursement when the grant agreement has entered into force and the Donee has fulfilled the following specific conditions:

i) Provide ADF with evidence of the designation of Direction de la Promotion de la Femme (DPF) within the Ministry of Social Development, Population, Women’s advancement and Protection of children (MDSPPFPE) as the project executing agency (paragraph 5.1.2);

ii) Provide the Fund with evidence of the establishment of the Project Steering

Committee made up of representatives of the following departments: MDSPPFPE (3, including two women), Ministry of Health and Control of Epidemics (1 woman),

28

Ministry of Basic Education 1 and Literacy training (1 woman), Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance (1), le Réseau de l’entrepreunariat féminin du Niger (1), Coordination des ONG féminines (CONGAFEN) (1), collectif des ONG Kassai (1) Ministry of Communication (1), and one officer from the Ministry of Justice (paragraph 5.1.4) ;

iii) Provide ADF with evidence of the opening of two (2) accounts with a commercial bank in Niger (2): the first account, to receive the grant resources and the second, to receive the national counterpart to be provided by the Donee (paragraph 5.5.1).

Other Conditions 8.2.3 In addition, the Donee shall: i) Provide ADF, two years after the entry into force of the grant protocol, a copy of

the Persons and Family Code, as adopted by the National Assembly (paragraph 4.5.15);

ii) Provide ADF, two years after the entry into force of the grant protocol, a copy of

Ordinance n° 99-30 of 13 August 1999, without reservations, and authorizing Niger’s accession to the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women (paragraph 4.5.16).

ANNEX I

Republic of Niger

Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

Stages of preparation of the Project Appraisal Report

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTATION DATES

OBSERVATIONS

Identification mission/Project preparation

Consultation of populations opinion leaders parliamentarians civil society organizations development partners and administrative authorities concerning the project

December 2003 Reflecting outcomes of consultations in formulation of the project

Project Appraisal Mission

Consultation of populations, opinion leaders parliamentarians and civil society organizations of Tahoua and Maradis

Consultation of development partners and administrative authorities concerning the project

16 February to 8 March 2004

Final Formulation of Project

Drafting of back-to-office report and appraisal report

15 March to 19 April 2004

Communication of results of Government mission

Meeting of internal working group to examine project appraisal report

Tuesday 13 April 2004 Comments reflected in drafting report for interdepartmental working group consideration

Meeting of interdepartmental working group to examine project appraisal report

26 April 204 Comments reflected in finalization of report for loans committee submission

Meeting of the senior management committee 7 May 2004 Comments of senior management committee taken into account in final version of the report

Transmission of report to office of the Secretary General

11 May 2004 For translation and Board Distribution

ANNEX II

Republic of Niger Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

PRINCIPAL DONORS INTERVENTION RELATING TO GENDER

Partner Programme/Project Area of intervention Duration Gender Activities Amount UNFPA Gender Initiative Niger Agadez, Zinder

Regions 2004-2007 Advocacy/Training

for consideration of population issues in different sectors reinforcement of the legal institutional and social environment for gender equality

CFAF 1.999.234

UNICEF Niger UNICEF Cooperation Agadez, Maradi, Zinder Regions

2004-2007 Gender training/institutional support

Gender comp. Amount not available

Agence française de développement

Care Tahoua Program Tahoua Completion for 12/12/2005

Capacity building 1,8 million Euros

Agence française de développement

Tilabéri local development programme

Tillabéri, right bank Completion for 06/30/2006

Water education health infrastructure micro-credit

7,7 million euros

Agence française de développement

Basic Education Zinder, Tilabéri and Dosso

Completion for 12/31/2008

infrastructure and capacity building

10,6 million euros

Agence française de développement

Village Water Supply Programme

Maradi, Tessaoua Mayahi

Completion for 12/31/2004

Infrastructure and capacity building

7,35 million euros

Agence française de développement

Community development programme

Tillabréi, left bank Being mounted

Water education health infrastructure micro-credit

7.4 million euros

USAID Arlit women’s savings & loan for health

Agadez/Arlit 2001-2004 Income generating activities

CFAF 600.508

USAID Dallol micro-credit Dosso 2001-2006 Income generating activities

CFAF 355.969

Switzerland Niger gender programme - 2002-2004 Training/institution building

CFAF 630 822

ADF Education I Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri and Zinder

21999-2004 -Literacy - Funds to support girls education

UA 2,45 millions

ADF Education II Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri and Zinder

2003-2008 Family planning early marriages training in gender and reproductive health.

UA 0,80 millions

UNDP Country programme plan of action

2004-2007 Participation of women, legal status emergence of a policy concerning women

US$1 000 000

ANNEX III

Republic of Niger Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

Summary of Bank Group Operations in Niger (As at 25 April 2004)

PROJECT Date of Approval Date of Signature

Date of Effectiveness

Last Date of Disbursement

Amount Approved Amount Cancelled Amount Signed

Net Commitments (In UA Million) Amount Disbursed (In

UA Million) Disbursement Level (%)

AGRICULTURE

1. MICRO SCHEMES PROJECTS 14.12.1993 16.12.1993 18.07.1997 31.12.2003 10.85 10.85 0.00

10.85 7.17 66.08 2. DIFFA DEV. STUDY 12.11.1997 17.12.1997 23.04.1999 31.12.2003 0.70 0.70 0.00 0.70 0.60 86.73 3. MOBIL. TAHOUA DEPT WATER 15.07.1998 12.11.1998 07.04.1999 31.12.2004 7.95 7.95 0.00

7.95 3.76 47.29

4. DOSSO-TILABERRI WATER MOBI STUDY 03.09.2001 10.10.2001 18.02.2002 31.12.2003 0.44 0.44 0.00

0.44 0.25 40.61

5. ZINDER DEVELOPMENT 18.10.2001 23.11.2001 10.10.2002 31.12.2007 5.80 5.80 0.00 5.80 0.66 11.38 6. RURAL WATER STUDY PROGR.AMME 07.03.2001 30.05.2001 10.09.2001 31.12.2003 0.96 0.96 0.00

0.96 0.44 56.81

7. NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 17.09.1998 12.11.1998 19.07.1999 31.12.2004 9.30 9.30 0.00

9.30 6.13 65.91

8. SUPPORT DEV. DOSSO 14.12.1993 15.12.1993 20.08.1997 31.12.2003 10.00 10.00 0.00 10.00

8.00 80.00 9. PADER-DIFFA 22.10.2003 04.12.2003 16.02.2004 31.12.2011 15.00 15.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 10. MARADI WATER HARNISSING STUDIES 11.09.2003 29.09.2003 18.02.2004 30.06.2006 0.85 0.85 0.00

0.85 0.00 0.00

11. KANDADJI ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME STUDIES 19.11.2003 04.12.2003 31.12.2006 1.10 1.10 0.00

0.00

0.00 0.00

Total AGRICULTURE 62.95 62.95 0.00 62.95

27.01 TRANSPORT

12. ROAD STUDY 18.05.2001 30.05.2001 16.01.2002 31.12.2004 1.38 1.38 0.00 1.38

0.24 17.4 Total Transports 1.38 1.38 0.00 1.38 0.24 17.4 ENERGY 13. NATURAL ENERGY PLAN 03.07.2002 27.08.2002 28.08.1998 31.12.2005 0.65 0.65 0.00 0.65 0.00 0.00

Total ENERGIY 0.65 0.65 0.00 0.65

0.00 0.00 SOCIAL

14. EDUCATION PROJECT 10.09.1998 12.11.1998 02.11.1999 31.12.2004 10.00 10.00 0.00 10.00 5.50 55.00 15. QUALITY CARE IMPROVEMENT 18.10.2001 23.11.2001 05.11.2002 31.12.2007 15.95 15.95 0.00

15.95 0.00 0.00

18.10.2001 23.11.2001 05.11.2002 31.12.2007 0.40 0.40 0.00 0.40 0.00 0.00 16. HEALTH SECTOR STRENGTH 14.12.1993 15.12.1993 16.12.1993 31.12.2003 9.23 9.23 0.00

9.23 8.58 92.95

17. POVERTY REDUCTION 28.10.1998 12.11.1998 30.06.1999 31.12.2004 5.50 5.50 0.00 5.50 2.52 45.90 28.10.1998 12.11.1998 30.06.1999 31.12.2004 1.20 1.20 0.00 1.20 0.31 25.93 18. Education II 04.12.2003 04.12.2003 31.12.2009 10.00 10.00 0.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 04.12.2003 04.12.2003 31.12.2011 2.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 Total Social 54.28 54.28 0.00 54.28 16.91 MULTINATIONAL

19. PAS IV 12.11.2003 04.12.2003 29.12.2003 31.01.2006 13.05 13.05 0.00 13.05

8.97 68.72

12.11.2003 04.12.2003 29.12.2003 31.01.2006 1.20 1.20 0.00 1.20

0.00 0.00

Total Multinational 14.25 14.25 0.00 14.25

8.97 62.95 TOTAL 133.51 133.51 0.00 133.51 53.13 39.79

ANNEX IV Page 1/1

Republic of Niger Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

Administrative Map of Niger and Project Area

This map was produced by the staff of the African Development Bank for the exclusive use of readers of the report to which it is annexed. Names and boundaries shown in no way represent the views of the Bank Group or its staff on the legal status of any territory; neither do they imply their approval or acceptance of its boundaries.

ANNEX V Republic of Niger

Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

Project Cost Summary

COMPONENT 1: CAPACITY BUILDING Total Total

B/ - GOODS Million Million

XOF UC Furniture 1.91 0.002Office Equipment 2.70 0.003Computer Equipment 34.40 0.04 Vehicles 27.00 0.03 Audiovisual Equipment for DEP 2.00 0.003Base Cost Goods 68.01 0.09 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 3.40 0.004 Price Contingencies 268% 1.91 0.002S.TOTAL GOODS 73.32 0.09 C/ - SERVICES

Training/Sensitization Workshops to improve gender perception 252.03 0.32 Refresher training to improve gender perception 0.00 0.00 Cascade Training of populations by opinion leaders 458.70 0.59 Human Capacity Building for DP of MDSPPFPE 18.52 0.02 Human Capacity Building DEP of MDSPPFPE 5.40 0.01 Human Capacity Building for DPF of MDSPPFPE 27.00 0.03 Human Capacity Building for MDSPPFPE 40.50 0.05 Training workshops for MDSPPFPE officers 16.44 0.02 Advocacy activities on different themes for men, women, adolescents 129.60 0.17 Study tours for opinion leaders 30.00 0.04 Base cost training/sensitization 978.19 1.25 Physical contingencies 5.00% 48.91 0.063 Price contingency 4.35% 44.72 0.057Sub-Total Category C1. Training/sensitization 1,071.82 1.37 Services Consistency of MDSPPFPE sector policy 180.00 0.23 Support to DEP, MDSPPFPE 242.00 0.31

(including studies on gender relations and gender-based violence) Base cost services 422.00 0.54 Physical contingencies 5.00% 21.10 0.027 Price contingency 2.26% 10.00 0.013Sub-Total Category C2. Services 453.10 0.58 Base Cost services 1,400.19 1.79 Physical contingencies 5.00% 70.01 0.090 Price contingency 3.72% 54.66 0.070S.TOTAL- SERVICES 1,524.85 1.95

D/ - RUNNING Office Administration 49.80 0.06 Vehicles (s) 24.30 0.03 Base Cost -running 74.10 0.09 Physical contingencies 5.00% 3.71 0.005 Price contingency 4.52% 3.51 0.004S.TOTAL-RUNNING 81.32 0.10

TOTAL BASE COST COMPONENT 1 1,542.30 1.97 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 77.11 0.10

Price contingency 3.71% 60.15 0.08 TOTAL COST COMPONENT 1 1,679.56 2.15

COMPONENT 2: IMPROVEMENT OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND WOMEN’S ACCESS TO INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION

B/ - GOODS Total Total Million Million XOF UC

Furniture 1.90 0.002Office Equipment 16.60 0.02 Computer Equipment 37.05 0.05 Vehicles 15.00 0.02 Base Cost goods 70.55 0.09 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 3.53 0.005 Price contingency 3.80% 2.81 0.004S.TOTAL GOODS 76.89 0.10 C/ - SERVICES

Training/sensitization Study Tours 12.00 0.02 Refresher training for 1055 women facilitators of AFJN 43.46 0.06 Advocacy for sensitization on Persons and Family code, 78.00 0.10 CEDEF, Quota law Advocacy on human rights (civil rights and policies) 78.00 0.10 Social and economic rights- cultural and environmental rights) Computer and NTIC training 33.18 0.04 Base Cost training/sensitization 244.64 0.31 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 12.23 0.02 Price contingency 4.55% 11.70 0.01 Sub-category C1. Training/sensitization 268.57 0.34

Services Formulation of Persons and Family Code 120.00 0.15 Cost Base services 120.00 0.15 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 6.00 0.008 Price contingency 2.26% 2.84 0.004Sub-Total Category C2. Services 128.84 0.16 Base cost service 364.64 0.47 Physical contingencies 5.00% 18.23 0.023 Price contingencies 3.72% 14.23 0.018 S/TOTAL SERVICES 397.10 0.51

D/ - RUNNING Offices 24.60 0.03 Allowances for multimedia center staff 10.80 0.01 Base cost - running 35.40 0.05 Physical contingencies 5.00% 1.77 0.002 Price escalation 9.45% 3.51 0.004S.TOTAL-RUNNING 40.68 0.05

TOTAL BASE COST COMPONENT 2 470.59 0.60

Physical contingencies 5.00% 23.53 0.03 Price contingency 4.22% 20.87 0.03

TOTAL COST, COMPONENT 2 514.99 0.66

COMPONENT 3: PROJECT MANAGEMENT Total Total

B/ - GOODS Million Million XOF UC Office furniture- DPF 0.83 0.001

Office equipment DPF 4.30 0.01 Computer equipment DPF 5.55 0.01 Vehicles DPF 25.50 0.03 Base Cost Goods 36.18 0.046 Physical contingencies 5.00% 1.81 0.002 Price contingency 1.87% 0.71 0.001

S.TOTAL GOODS 38.70 0.050

C/ - SERVICES Services

Formulation of Project implementation manual 10.00 0.01 Services for organization of mid-germ review 10.00 0.01 Project completion report 10.00 0.01 Services of experts on contract with DPF 75.60 0.10 Base Cost Services 105.60 0.135 Physical contingencies 5.00% 5.28 0.007 Price contingencies 3.84% 4.26 0.005Sub-Total Category C2. Services 115.14 0.147

Audit Service of audit firm 35.18 0.05 Base cost audit 35.18 0.045 Physical contingencies 5.00% 1.76 0.002 Price contingency 2.33% 0.86 0.001Sub-Total Category C3. Audit 37.80 0.048Base cost- services 140.78 0.18 Physical contingencies 5.00% 7.04 0.009 Price contingency 3.72% 5.50 0.007 S.TOTAL SERVICES 153.32 0.196

D/ - RUNNING Direction de la Promotion de la Femme (DPF) 25.35 0.03 Vehicle - DPF 13.58 0.02 Mission expenses for travel to Bank Headquarters 11.52 0.01 DPF staff allowances 26.28 0.03 Base cost running 76.73 0.10 Physical Contingencies 5.00% 3.84 0.005 Price contingency 4.36% 3.51 0.004S.TOTAL RUNNING 84.08 0.11

TOTAL BASE COST COMPONENT 3 253.69 0.32 Physical contingencies 5.00% 12.68 0.02 Price contingency 3.51% 9.35 0.01

TOTAL COST COMPONENT 3 275.73 0.35

Total base costs components 1 + 2 + 3 2,266.58 2.90 Physical contingencies 5.00% 113.33 0.14 Price contingencies 3.80% 90.37 0.12

TOTAL PROJECT COST: COMPONENTS 1 + 2 + 3 2,470.27 3.16

ANNEX VI

Republic of Niger Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART

Secretariat Accountant

Women’sIntegration Unit Studies and

Research Unit

GenderIntegration Unit

Women’s Legal Status

Unit Women’s

LeadershipReinforcement

Unit

Hierarchy Link

Functional Link

DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS (DPF)

PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE

Project Coordination Unit

Women’s Advancement Strategies Division Women’s Activities Development Division

Secretariat

Ministère du Développement Social de la Population de la Promotion de la Femme et

de la Protection de l'Enfant (MDSPPFPE)

Procurement Specialist

ANNEX VII

Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

PROVISIONAL PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Operations by component S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N

Project start-up Sept. 2004 Recrutment of project unit experts

B Goods: 1/- Equipment/Furniture/Vehicles Preparation of tender documents Tender Invitations Analy. of tender invitations ADB Approval Deliv. and acceptance

C Services C1 Training / sensibilization

1 – Training/Improvement/perception of gender dim.2 – Training of populations by opinion leaders3 – Capacity building for MDSPPFPE 4 – Advocacy for men-women-children 5 – Study tours

C2 Services 1 – Consis./coherence/MDSPPFPE/sector/policies2 – Support to DEP of MDSPPFPE / study on genderViolence and relations

D Operating

B Goods: 1/- Equipment/Furniture/Vehicles Preparation of tender documents Tender invitations Bid Analysis ADB Approval Delivery & accept.

C Services C1 Training / sensibilization

1 – Study tours 2 – Advocacy for sensitization on family code3 – Advocacy for human rights extension 4 – Computer and NTIC training

C2 Services 1 – Formulation of Persons and Family code

D Operating

B Goods: 1/- Equipment/Furniture/Vehicles Preparation of tender documents Tender invitations Bid Analysis ADB Approval Delivery & accept.

C Services C1 Services

1 – Formulation of project manual 2 – Services/Organisation of mid-term review3 – Project completion report 4 – Services of experts recruited for project

C2 Audit D Running

D

3 – Project Mgt.

1 – Capacity Building

2 – Improving legal framework and women accessTo information communication

2006 200720052004

ANNEX VIII Republic of Niger

Gender Equity Reinforcement Project

LIST OF GOODS AND SERVICES

XOF Million UA Million Categories F.E. L.C. Total F.E L.C. Total ADF Grant GVT Total

1. Goods 1.1. Equip/Furn./Vehicles CB 128.10 46.64 174.74 0.16 0.06 0.22 0.17 0.05 0.22 Contingencies 6.41 2.33 8.74 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 Price contingencies 1.79 1.50 5.44 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 Total cost 136.30 50.48 188.91 0.17 0.06 0.24 0.18 0.06 0.242. C. Services 2.1. Training / sensitization CB 104.02 1,118.80 1,222.82 0.13 1.43 1.56 1.56 0.00 1.56 Contingencies 5.20 55.94 61.14 0.01 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.00 0.08 Price-contingencies 4.76 51.66 56.42 0.01 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.00 0.07 Total cost 113.98 1,226.40 1,340.38 0.15 1.57 1.71 1.71 0.00 1.712.2. Technical Assistance CB 572.00 75.60 647.60 0.73 0.10 0.83 0.83 0.00 0.83 Contingencies 28.60 3.78 32.38 0.04 0.00 0.04 0.04 0.00 0.04 Price-contingencies 14.06 3.05 17.11 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.02 Total cost 614.66 82.43 697.09 0.79 0.11 0.89 0.89 0.00 0.892.3. Audit CB 35.18 0.00 35.18 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.05 Contingencies 1.76 0.00 1.76 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Price-contingencies 0.86 0.00 0.86 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total cost 37.80 0.00 37.80 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.053. Operating Costs 3.1. Running CB 0.00 186.23 186.23 0.00 0.24 0.24 0.15 0.09 0.24 Contingencies 0.00 9.31 9.31 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 Price-contingencies 0.00 10.54 10.54 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Total cost 0.00 206.08 206.08 0.00 0.26 0.26 0.16 0.10 0.26

Total Base Cost 839.30 1,427.27 2,266.58 1.07 1.83 2.90 2.76 0.14 2.90 Contingencies/ct (+4.6%) 35.56 69.03 104.59 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.14 0.01 0.14 Price-contingencies/ct (+3.7%) 21.47 66.75 90.37 0.03 0.09 0.12 0.11 0.01 0.12 Total Project Cost 896.34 1,563.06 2,461.54 1.15 2.00 3.16 3.00 0.16 3.16