Localizing Gender Work in MENA
Most long term programs on Gender are usually written and approved without the proper consultation with local communities, including national civil society organizations and rights holders (beneficiaries), with minimal to nonexistent flexibility to adapt to contextual changes and factors. This usually results in irrelevant interventions that do not contribute to the progress of gender work in the country but rather create a wider gap between local communities and development actors.
Localizing gender work in MENA would mean having evidence-based programs that are relevant and have a clear contribution to the community's actual needs while wisely using the resources allocated and being accountable to both the source of the funds and the communities targeted. It is a fact that more research has been done on the ground since 2016; nonetheless, there is a gap in using this available research in the design of Gender Programs.