Terms of reference: Research partner on barriers to women’s political leadership and participation in Lao
OVERVIEW
About WFD
WFD (https://www.wfd.org) is the UK’s leading democracy assistance agency, working in partnership with political parties, parliaments and civil society organisations around the world to create more inclusive, accountable and transparent democratic systems. WFD strengthens the capacity of these key democratic institutions, helping ensure they have the systems, knowledge and skills to perform effectively. WFD also fosters improved democratic processes, bringing together individuals and institutions and encouraging them to work together to solve concrete problems, applying democratic values and principles.
WFD’s work on women’s political leadership1 considers the social, cultural, economic, and political factors that stop women from fully participating in politics and governance. We work with partners to develop systems and strategies that challenge and transform them. Our programmes help to embed gender analysis throughout all aspects of parliamentary business, support women's political leadership and end violence against women in politics.
Background to Research
WFD has commenced a women’s political leadership programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through the Asia Foundation (TAF), working in Laos. The objective of this programme is to achieve greater understanding of the state of women’s political leadership in Laos and increased consensus on how to address key challenges.
As part of this programme, WFD aims to (1) deepen knowledge and understanding of barriers to inclusion and women’s political leadership and participation in Laos through research and analysis including development of operational recommendations that can inform stakeholders decisions; (2) engage with politically active women in Laos to support increased linkages between women political leaders facing similar challenges across the region to share knowledge and insights.
This research will produce an enhanced evidence base that can inform wider gender equality work of local decision-makers, civil society actors, and the international donor community in Laos. It will be complemented by a (separately developed) country-specific political economy analysis. Together these will contribute to informing targeted programmatic activity in Laos.
These activities will include working with politically active women and their allies to address the specific barriers in the country, including violence against women in politics (VAWP)5, to progress women’s political leadership and participation.
WFD is looking for a Research Partner to collaborate with and develop research on the barriers to women’s political leadership and participation in Laos situated within the context of ASEAN, particularly as manifest in violence against women in politics.
The Research Partner will be ideally working in consortia with partners/organisations in Laos to deliver this work.
Research specifics
Purpose:
To undertake contextualised and collaborative research and develop a reporting suite on the barriers to women’s political leadership and participation in Laos within the context of ASEAN, particularly as manifest in violence against women in politics.
Suggested Analytical Framework:
In addition to considering what structural, institutional, economic, and cultural factors hinder women from fully participating in political participation, leadership, and governance in Laos, the Research Partner(s) will test to what extent the Pathways model applies in the Lao context.
The Pathways model is based on ones’ personal political experiences, while recognising their existing structural, institutional, cultural, and economic barriers to women’s political advancement. The model consists of but not limited to the following pathways:
The networker pathway – personal and professional networks are key assets for political leadership; primarily relies on ones’ network to break through barriers.
The trailblazer pathway – political entrepreneurship, navigating ones’ political leadership journey by founding a new body to advocate for political works and removing entry barriers to leadership by oneself.
The activist pathway – ones have to prove leadership qualities through their activism over an extended period before pursuing leadership roles.
Possible questions for testing this pathways model/framework might include:
How these typologies present in the Laos context?
Do any other typologies emerge, and to what extent are they distinct to the Laos context?
To what extent do women embody individual profiles, or move across them?
What is the payoff between these distinct pathways, and women positionalities (which will likely be informed by their backgrounds) and personal attributes?
Are there any discernible links between specific pathways and how their leadership decisions/approaches?
It is important to note that Research Partner(s) is/are not required to prove the validity of the suggested framework, but rather to test if it is applicable to the Lao context.
Deliverables:
A research outline and methodology, to be discussed in meetings with key WFD representatives and Research Reference Group/stakeholders
Periodic engagement and meetings with WFD’s team, and presentation(s) to the Research Reference Group if needed
A research paper/report (~20-25 pages) on the barriers to women’s political leadership and participation along with a thorough gender analysis in Laos, within the context of ASEAN, particularly as manifest in violence against women in politics.
An executive summary for communications purposes (maximum of 2-3 pages)
A PowerPoint presentation of key findings to share with the Research Reference Group relevant stakeholders
Timeframe and Rate:
It is anticipated that this research will take place between April-May 2024 with a deadline for the final research reporting suite of 28 June 2024. This research project has a total budget allocation of $12,000.
The timeframe below lists the key tentative dates for the research process. These will be agreed with the Research Partner(s) once secured.
Activity | Date |
|---|---|
Starting date of the consultancy (induction meeting with WFD) | w/c 22 April 2024 |
Research Outline / Methodology Meeting | w/c 29 April 2024 |
Meetings with Reference Group | w/c May 2024 |
First Draft Submission | 14 June 2024 |
Submission of final version | 28 June 2024 |
The Research Partner(s) will:
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the gendered political and governance dynamics in Laos and the ASEAN region, with thorough skills on gender analysis (essential) and intersectional analysis (desirable); along with knowledge of women’s political leadership and participation and comprehension of Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP)
Have worked in or have a demonstrated research track records in Laos and the ASEAN region, including experience and knowledge of civil society actors, organisations and dynamics, particularly those relevant to women’s political participation.
Hold post-graduate degrees in International Development, Political Science, Social Science, Gender Studies or relevant academic field OR demonstrate at least 12 years’ equivalent research-related experience.
Experience in Laos on democracy and governance programmes is desirable.
Have excellent research, analytical and writing skills and working professional fluency in English.
Ability to collaborate with geographically dispersed teams.
How to apply and Submission of Expression of Interest
A cover letter of not more than 2 pages stipulating how the experience, skills and competencies of the consultant(s) meet the above requirements
A one-page methodology outline for this research project
Enclose one sample of previous work, written in English, in this area conducted by the researcher(s)
Submit curriculum vitae(s) for the researcher(s)
Proposed research budget
Please submit the above documents in English to Noumvina Senkhamty at <Noumvina.Senkhamty@wfd.org> and cc Felicity Herrmann at Felicity.Herrmann@wfd.org
Closing Date: 31 March 2024
Interviews: w/c 8 April 2024