1. Background
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a non-profit and non-governmental civil society organization with more than 175 member organizations. CECOE was licensed by the F.D.R.E. Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) in 2019 with registration number 4748 under the Civil Society Organizations Proclamation 1113/2019. CECOE was established with the aim of enhancing and coordinating the role of Ethiopian CSOs in election observation, voter education, preventing electoral conflicts, and providing capacity building and support for its member organizations. CECOE is a committed member of the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN), African Election Observers Network (AfEONet), a pan-African coordinating platform, and a founding member of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), which connects regional networks and individual monitoring organizations across more than 88 countries worldwide.
One of the key intervention areas that CECOE has been engaged in is the project entitled “Enhancing the Participation of Ethiopian Women in Politics; Balancing the Scale’‘ which is financed by the European Union and currently under implementation in partnership with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD).
Ethiopia’s 2021 general elections marked a critical juncture in the country’s democratic journey, yet they revealed a persistent gender gap in political participation. Despite ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, the involvement of women in these elections was minimal, reflecting deep-rooted challenges that continue to hinder their full engagement in the political arena.
One of the most glaring indicators of this gender gap was the underrepresentation of women as candidates. Few women stepped forward to run for office, a trend that underscores the systemic barriers women face in accessing political power. These barriers include societal norms that discourage women from pursuing leadership roles, a lack of financial resources, and limited access to the political networks that are often crucial for mounting successful campaigns. The absence of a significant number of female candidates not only limited the diversity of voices in the political discourse but also perpetuated the cycle of male-dominated governance.
Women’s participation as voters was also notably low during the 2021 elections. This low turnout could be attributed to various factors, including a lack of confidence in the electoral process, fear of political violence, and limited access to polling stations in certain regions. Additionally, socio-economic challenges, such as poverty and limited education, may have prevented many women from exercising their right to vote. The low voter turnout among women is a concerning trend that reflects the broader issue of political disenfranchisement and the need for targeted interventions to empower women as active participants in the democratic process.
The role of civil society in elections is crucial for fostering democratic engagement and advocating for the rights of marginalized groups. However, the 2021 general elections saw minimal involvement of women in leadership roles within civil society organizations. This lack of representation is significant because civil society leaders often serve as advocates for social change, influencing public policy and holding political leaders accountable. Without strong female leadership in these organizations, the specific concerns and needs of women are less likely to be prioritized in political discourse and decision-making processes.
Women were also underrepresented as election observers and poll workers during the 2021 elections. These roles are essential for ensuring the integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process. The scarcity of women in these positions raises concerns about the gender sensitivity of the election process and the extent to which women’s perspectives were considered in the management and oversight of the elections. Moreover, the presence of women in these roles could have provided a sense of security and comfort to female voters, potentially encouraging higher voter turnout among women.
Overall, the minimal involvement of women in Ethiopia’s 2021 general elections is indicative of broader societal challenges that need to be addressed to achieve gender equality in political participation. While progress has been made in some areas, these elections highlighted the ongoing need for policies and initiatives that specifically target the barriers women face in entering and participating in the political sphere.
2. Objective
The main objective of this assignment is to analyze and examine the causes and consequences of low women’s participation in this election by developing gender audit and analysis of the 6th general election, conduct validation workshops and adapt the findings into simplified messages for radio broadcast to raise public awareness. This process will facilitate the way for improving the participation and representation of women in future elections.
3. Scope of Work
The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
3.1. Literature Review:
- Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on gender and elections in Ethiopia.
- Review international best practices on gender audits in electoral processes.
3.2. Data Collection:
- Gather quantitative and qualitative data related to women’s participation as candidates, voters, observers, poll workers, and civil society leaders during the 6th General Election.
- Collect data on the representation of women within political parties, election management bodies, and other relevant institutions.
- Analyze voter turnout data disaggregated by gender, region, and age group.
3.3. Stakeholder Consultations:
- Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including female candidates, voters, civil society organizations, election observers, political party representatives, and election management bodies.
- Engage with women’s rights organizations and gender experts to gain insights into challenges and opportunities for gender inclusion in the electoral process.
3.4. Policy and Legal Framework Review:
- Analyze the existing legal and policy frameworks related to gender equality in elections, including the implementation of gender quotas, electoral laws, and relevant international conventions.
- Assess the effectiveness of these frameworks in promoting gender equity during the 6th General Election.
3.5. Validation Workshop
- Plan a one-day validation workshop in Addis Ababa.
- Collect feedback from the workshop participants and incorporate it into the final document.
4. Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:
4.1. Gender audit and analysis of the 6th general election:
- Draft version for validation.
- A final version incorporating feedback from the validation workshop.
4.2. Validation Workshop:
- Workshop agenda and materials.
- Workshop report including feedback collected.
5. Duration
The Consultant is expected to complete the Gender audit and analysis of the 6th general election within Forty-five working days from the date of signing the contract.
6. Reporting
The Consultant will report to the CECOE project manager and provide regular updates on the progress of the assignment.
7. Qualifications
The ideal Consultant should possess the following qualifications:
- Academic qualification in Gender Studies, Political Science, political science, law, or other related fields.
- Strong understanding and experience working within the electoral system, including knowledge of election laws, procedures, and the role of various stakeholders.
- Extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Ability to analyze data disaggregated by gender, region, and other relevant factors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to different audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Experience in conducting workshops.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively.
8. Submission of Proposals
Interested consultants are invited to submit their detailed technical and financial proposals, including:
- A cover letter
- CV
- Proposed methodology
