Français Español العربية Русский Português
Apply for support today. Email your application to WPHF-RRW@unwomen.org.
The Direct Support stream of the Rapid Response Window (RRW) provides logistic and technical services to local women’s rights organizations (WROs) — including informal women’s groups, women peacebuilders, and unregistered civil society organizations — to enhance women’s participation and/or influence in a peace process (track 1 & 2) or peace agreement.
Successful applicants receive services, not a grant.
Services will be purchased and arranged directly by the WPHF RRW Secretariat or its partners on behalf of selected applicants.
Services include:
- Flexible logistical support: translation services, childcare, access for people with disabilities, printing, document design/layout expenses, travel, visa, etc.
- Expert technical support: a consultant to conduct trainings, workshops, or consultations; provide strategic support; document a consultation process; collect and analyze data to develop evidence; support coalition-buildings; or other expert advisory services.
- Initiatives can last a maximum of six months but can also be as short as a few days.
- The maximum cost of services is 30,000 USD.
There is no deadline for applications. The RRW is demand driven and accepts submissions on a rolling basis.
See below some examples of Direct Support:
Travel for advocacy
- In Afghanistan, the RRW supported three initiatives: i) the direct participation of a woman human rights defender (WHRD) in the Track 1 Leadership Committee of the High Council for National Reconciliation; ii) the implementation of a participatory Track 2 Women’s Peace Conference in Kabul; and iii) an initiative documenting women’s direct representation in the Doha negotiations.
- In Venezuela, an informal group of 20 women peacebuilders received direct support to go to Bogotá and meet with women’s organizations and stakeholders engaged in Colombian peace negotiations. The goal of the group was to exchange perspectives and learn about the Colombian peace process and entry points for women’s meaningful participation. Throughout the mission, the Venezuelan women seized the opportunity to engage with international organizations and key entities that played a role in introducing a gender perspective into the peace negotiations in Colombia. Several advocacy meetings were conducted with the different stakeholders to create a momentum and foster a strong alliance with key allies.
Meetings and network building
- In Ethiopia, the RRW – together with its INGO partner Inclusive Peace – supported the organization of a workshop led by TIMRAN which brought together all relevant women networks in the country — from different political perspectives, regions, constituencies, and ages — to develop more effective and coherent strategies to meaningfully participate in dialogue and reconciliation processes.
Capacity strengthening
- In Liberia, the RRW covered the cost of a consultant for a civil society initiative to strengthen women’s participation in monitoring the implementation of the 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report recommendations, which emerged from the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Together with its INGO partner Conciliation Resources, the RRW also provided support to two civil society projects in Liberia to enhance women’s participation in the 2009 TRC report recommendations, including the establishment of a gender-responsive War Crimes Court.
Strategic knowledge and dissemination
- In South Sudan, the RRW – together with its INGO partner Inclusive Peace – supported the development of a technical document to strengthen civil society monitoring of the implementation of all gender provisions in the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
- In Sudan, 100 women and 25 men civil society actors collaborated to analyze Sudan’s conflict context, pinpoint obstacles and opportunities for influencing peacemaking efforts, and devise strategies for coalition-building and advocacy. They all received discrete technical and strategic support to engage Sudanese women civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders. To this end, consultations spaces were held in Nairobi, Kampala and Cairo, which were complemented by online consultation spaces in Ethiopia, UAE and South Sudan – with support from Inclusive Peace, an INGO partner of the RRW. This engagement resulted in a multi-track action plan that prioritized advocacy, influencing, and strategies for ensuring the inclusion of women in peacebuilding efforts. Another outcome was the creation of a ‘shadow peace agreement,’ which served as a comprehensive document outlining expectations and demands. Beyond its consolidating role, this agreement holds significant potential as a tool for advocating for more inclusive and gender-responsive peacemaking endeavors.
