OXFAM MINIMUM STANDARDS

NOVEMBER 2013

OXFAM MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR GENDER IN EMERGENCIES

Purpose of the Minimum Standards

These standards were originally developed for Oxfam staff to ensure a consistent approach to promoting gender equality in Oxfams humanitarian programming. They are provided here as a tool for humanitarian programme practitioners and as part of our commitment to transparency, sharing good practice and improving quality across the sector. These standards should be referred to during contingency planning processes, at the onset of an emergency, and throughout the project cycle.

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CATEGORY

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR OXFAM

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON GENDER IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION Analyze and report on gender differences. Design services to meet needs of all. Collect, analyze and report sex- and age-disaggregated data.

Using gender analysis to inform programme design and implementation, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).

1. Ensure equal access and meaningful participation by specific gender groups in humanitarian activities throughout the project cycle including: 1.1 Preparedness; 1.2 Programme Design; 1.3 Program Implementation; 1.4 MEL. 1.1 Preparedness 1.1.1 Gender analysis to be included in Contingency Plans, which will incorporate and consult with existing gender-focused development programmes. 1.1.2 All staff and partners to receive gender training. 1.2 Programme Design 1.2.1 In consultation with other stakeholders, collect, analyze and report on gender differences using sex- and age-disaggregated data (and other factors where possible/relevant) starting from onset and throughout the project cycle, taking into account issues of safety and accessibility. 1.2.2 In consultation with women, men, boys and girls, design culturally appropriate gender-sensitive programmes that address the needs and safety requirements of the most vulnerable and redress gender-specific injustices. The programme design should incorporate a gender strategy, as well as policy and advocacy elements. 1.3 Programme implementation 1.3.1 MEL frameworks are in place to monitor the integration of gender considerations based on gender analysis. 1.3.2 Both technical and social interventions are set together and are complimentary. 1.3.3 Programming is intertwined with sustainable development objectives for the country including disaster risk reduction (DRR). 1.4 MEL 1.4.1 Monitoring to commence at onset of emergency.

1.4.2 Monitoring to integrate indicators sensitive to gender. 1.4.3 Monitoring to include gender-disaggregated data. 1.4.4 Evaluation to assess the impact and effectiveness of gender considerations and analysis throughout all aspects of programme implementation, and measures are taken to correct any negative results. 1.4.5 Establish effective mechanisms for feedback from all beneficiaries taking into account access and safety issues, as well as anonymity. 1.4.6 Lessons learned are documented and shared with partners, staff and communities. Ensuring participation, dignity, empowerment and accountability 2. Ensure equal access, and safe and meaningful participation by specific gender groups in humanitarian sectoral programme activities, such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods (EFSVL), throughout the project cycle, including during distribution, training and livelihood opportunities. 3. In consultation with women, men, girls and boys, actively promote womens and girls dignity and empowerment in programme design and implementation. 4. Develop programmes that ensure womens and girls rights are being addressed in emergencies, and ensure mens and boys support (not just consultation) in order to make them allies in this work. 5. Establish effective, safe and gender-sensitive feedback mechanisms from beneficiaries about both Oxfam and Oxfam partner programs (to redress program shortcomings, including gender issues). This is to include a targeted consultation of women. Promoting gender equality through internal practices 6. Advance and promote gender equality through internal practices, including: allocation of appropriate financial and human resources; partner selection criteria; gender-balance among staff; inclusion of gender objectives in performance management. Not applicable Access for women, men, girls and boys. Train women and men equally. Target actions based on a gender analysis. Co-ordinate actions with other humanitarian actors.

7. Ensure workplace policies and procedures are in place and socialized amongst staff and partners to ensure gender equality in the workplace. These are to include anti-sexual harassment HR policies. 8. Staff and Partners to sign-on to Codes of Conduct to ensure protection of staff and beneficiaries. 9. Emphasize accountability of senior management for promoting gender equality. 10. Develop staff, partner and senior management capacity through inductions, trainings and reflections. 11. Develop a gender-sensitive organizational culture. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) 12. Protect beneficiaries from sexual exploitation by staff and partners. 13. Staff and partners have read and have been inducted on any PSEA policies in place. 14. Complaints mechanisms for staff, partners and beneficiaries are in place and have been communicated.

 Oxfam International November 2013 This publication is copyright but the text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research, provided that the source is acknowledged in full. The copyright holder requests that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for re-use in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, permission must be secured and a fee may be charged. E-mail policyandpractice@oxfam.org.uk. The information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press. Published by Oxfam GB for Oxfam International under ISBN 978-1-78077-519-7 in November 2013. Oxfam GB, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY, UK.

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