Call for Proposals

The coalition Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) is inviting members to submit grant proposals for actions that will contribute to the following campaign objectives:

1. By the end of 2008, SOAWR will have accelerated ratification in ten countries, namely Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and two North African Countries.

2. By the end of 2008 there will be national implementation strategies and actions generated and running in eight countries, namely Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.

As well as specifically addressing the above objectives, proposals should be for areas of work that seek to fulfil the coalitions overall aims and objectives which are:

1. To influence for the ratification of the AU protocol or (for those countries who have already ratified) implementation in national policies, laws and budgets.

2. To promote visibility and awareness of the protocol’s provisions, the real conditions facing women and girls and the accountability of states and non-state actors to realize these freedoms.

Criteria and eligibility for proposals – please refer to these guidelines carefully before submitting a proposal.

· This offer is open to members of the SOAWR coalition only.

· The total budget for supporting these activities is US$50,000.

· Applications should be for amounts between US$5,000 and US$10,000
· The grant period is from April 2008 – July 2008 · Deadline for grant proposals is: 7th April 2008
· Length of Proposal: Not more than 3 pages (excluding the budget)
. The proposal should contain (within specific country context) – objectives, activities, success indicators, monitoring and budget
· Budget: Please detail costs against 4 budget lines of: administration, publications/information materials, travel and meetings.
Preference will be given to proposals whose activities demonstrate intention to:

• Produce popular materials for rural and urban women or policy briefs for policy makers
• Impact on mainstream and community mass media
• Organise actions that lead to the creation and reform of national laws and/or public interest proceedings in defence of the rights contained in the protocol
• Directly engage high-level Government officials, celebrities and parliamentarians to speak and act in support of women’s rights and gender equality

Please send proposals in either French or English to: [email][email protected] for the attention of Muthoni Murithi by the 7th April 2008.

You will receive notification of the Steering Committee’s decision within 7 days of the application deadline.