How can the international community advance gender equality in socially conservative contexts through effective support to women’s coalitions? This report looks at how six collective initiatives in Egypt and Jordan have formed and worked politically to advance gender equality. It argues that engaging in informal ‘backstage’ politics is as important as formal channels of engagement in these ‘closed’ political spaces. The international community plays a critical role in supporting women’s coalitions. Donors have provided some positive support, but there is room for improvement.
Coalitions to advance women’s equality are rare in the Middle East. They are challenged by a restrictive and professionalised political culture that discourages collective forms of agency. Influential coalitions are those that are able to build both formal and informal links with the appropriate actors, establish the right kind of image locally and secure the right kind of support from international official and civil society actors. Strong links exist between international and national actors. Donors usually play a critical role, in both positive and detrimental ways.
Coalitions for advancing gender equality commonly emerge in ‘openings’ created by an international or local event, activity or initiative or in response to perceived threats that are seen to seriously undermine women’s choices:
- They occur when strict control on participation in political space has been relaxed and where women’s leaders recognise the urgency of seizing the opportunity before political spaces are closed again.
- Organisations join coalitions to increase their visibility, their networks and their sphere of influence and because of fear of marginalisation.
- A legal umbrella is crucial for the viability of a coalition’s organisational form and the continuation of its activities. Foreign funding is a major incentive for the participation of different leaders and organisations.
- The public perception of the cultural and national authenticity of the coalition leaders enhances its ability to mobilise wider support and to withstand opposition from those who label it an agent of the West.
- Successful coalitions avoid choosing issues associated with sexuality, or frame them in different terms.
- Coalitions are most successful when they have internal mechanisms of consensus-building and conflict mediation, and when they secure effective engagement with the media. Effective media engagement involves gaining positive coverage, and sometimes protecting the coalition’s activities from media coverage.
The contribution of donors to the work of such coalitions can be enhanced by allowing collective action strategies to be tailored from within and according to the local context. Donors also need to:
- Be sensitive to the wording and timing of criticism of gender inequalities locally in order not to undermine local efforts.
- Know and listen to the key players and organisations, and identify windows of opportunity.
- Create an enabling environment, mood and momentum for the emergence of coalitions.
- Understand previous endeavours and relationships and analyse their successes and failures.
- Ensure that proposals reflect the vision, internal division of roles and planned activities of the coalition’s leaders, who are likely to come from more than one organisation.
- Ensure a high level of transparency among all parties regarding the budget and its components.
- Consult with stakeholders as widely as possible when monitoring and evaluating.
