scholarly journals The IMF and Lebanon: The long road ahead – An assessment of how Lebanon’s economy may be stabilized while battling a triple crisis and recovering from a deadly blast

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Abdo ◽  
Dana Abed ◽  
Bachir Ayoub ◽  
Nizar Aouad
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
The International Monetary Fund ◽  
The Imf

Lebanon is extremely unequal and has been rocked by massive protests in recent months. The country is facing a financial crisis and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a potential bailout programme. Other IMF programmes in the region have focused on austerity and have driven increases in poverty and inequality. A business-as-usual approach by the IMF in Lebanon could have serious and far-reaching adverse impacts. Any potential policies pushed by the IMF in Lebanon must first be shown not to impact negatively on economic and gender inequalities, and must be drawn up transparently in consultation with local communities, civil society organizations and social movements.

Special section: Is feminism doomed? Feminist praxis in the times of ‘gender ideology’ in Slovakia

2020 ◽  
pp. 135050682097915
Author(s):  
Zuzana Maďarová ◽  
Veronika Valkovičová
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Gender Ideology ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Far Right ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Times ◽  
Feminist Organizing

Thirty years after the Velvet Revolution, Slovak feminist activists look back to the 1990s and early 2000s as the time of exceptional capacity building and knowledge production which was barely sustained in later years. The last decade of feminist organizing has been marked by waning financial resources for civil society organizations, and appropriation of feminist and gender equality agenda by the state, which led to the hollowing out of its content. What is more, strong and pervasive conservative pressure with the aid of ‘gender ideology’ rhetoric has been successful in delegitimizing gender equality policies and is consistently threatening sexual and reproductive rights in the country. Facing such prospects, this article examines newfound alliances and diverse forms of broadly understood feminist praxis, which go beyond institutionalized civil society, but have developed to counter neoconservative and far-right political pressure in Slovakia.

scholarly journals Adding Fuel to Fire: How IMF demands for austerity will drive up inequality worldwide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nona Tamale
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
International Monetary Fund ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Uneven Distribution ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Global Institutions ◽  
Briefing Paper ◽  
The International Monetary Fund ◽  
The Imf

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a huge blow to every country, and many governments have struggled to meet their populations’ urgent needs during the crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stepped in to offer extra support to a large number of countries during the pandemic. However, Oxfam’s analysis shows that as of 15 March 2021, 85% of the 107 COVID-19 loans negotiated between the IMF and 85 governments indicate plans to undertake austerity once the health crisis abates. The findings in this briefing paper show that the IMF is systematically encouraging countries to adopt austerity measures once the pandemic subsides, risking a severe spike in already increased inequality levels. A variety of studies have revealed the uneven distribution of the burden of austerity, which is more likely to be shouldered by women, low-income households and vulnerable groups, while the wealth of the richest people increases. Oxfam joins global institutions and civil society in urging governments worldwide and the IMF to focus their energies instead on a people-centred, just and equal recovery that will fight inequality and not fuel it. Austerity will not ‘build back better’.

scholarly journals Community Land Rights in Liberia: A Summary of 2020 Analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Land Rights ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
The Government

This summary highlights findings of three RRI studies conducted in 2020 as they relate to Liberia, and explains what the findings of these three studies mean for Liberia and aims to equip local communities and civil society organizations with data to advance their advocacy work to influence future reforms, and help the government, donors, private sector actors, and conservationists make informed decisions.

Peacebuilding and Gender Inclusivity

2019 ◽  
pp. 385-402
Author(s):  
Adrineh Gregorian
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Women's Groups ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Negotiation Tactics ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Women's Role

The work of women’s groups and organizations in conflict zones is underestimated and underresourced, yet these groups continue to be a voice of the marginalized. By examining the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, this chapter seeks to demonstrate how women’s role in peacebuilding is pivotal and should not be trivialized. Women have proven to be more nonviolent, they have differentiated needs in conflict, and they are more successful at utilizing out-of-the-box methods. When official top-down approaches fail women, civil society organizations step in to fill the gaps. Whereas formal negotiation tactics often seem to be fruitless, out-of-the-box tools are created to develop connections and safe spaces to share, listen, and build empathy. These steps should not be overlooked; instead, they underscore that women’s inclusion in peace processes is imperative.

scholarly journals Community Land Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): A Summary of 2020 Analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Land Rights ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Government

This summary highlights findings of three RRI studies conducted in 2020 as they relate to the DRC. This document explains what these three studies mean for the DRC and aims to equip local communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) with data to advance their advocacy work to influence future reforms, and help the government, donors, private sector actors, and conservationists make informed decisions.

scholarly journals Islamic-based Institutions during Coronavirus Pandemic: A Comparative Case Study of Auckland, New Zealand and Jakarta, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Fara Shabira Arrasya ◽  
Jesse Hession Grayman
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Formal Institutions ◽  
Wide Acceptance

This article discusses interventions by Islamic-based institutions during coronavirus pandemic in Auckland, New Zealand and Jakarta, Indonesia. The aim of this article is to compare the interventions implemented by various Islamic-based institutions both in Auckland and in Jakarta. The method consists of literature review, informal interviews, and participant observations. There are three types of Islamic-based institutions: the formal institutions with its hierarchy and leadership, the independent non-governmental communities, and the informal local communities. In Auckland, the interventions were mostly done by the independent non-governmental communities and informal local communities. Kiwi Muslims tended to seek spiritual and material help at the closest Islamic-based institutions. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the interventions were mostly implemented by formal institutions such as Majelis Ulama Indonesia (Indonesian Council of Ulama) with different kinds of support from large Islamic civil society organizations, such as Nahdalatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. MUI’s interventions aimed for wide acceptance among all Indonesian Muslims, but fatalistic and deterministic perspectives among many Indonesian Muslims led to low effort in mitigating pandemic and less compliance with MUI and government’s regulations.

scholarly journals Community Land Rights in Kenya: A Summary of 2020 Analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Land Rights ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
The Government

This summary highlights Kenya-specific findings of three RRI studies conducted in 2020. This document will explain what the findings of these three studies mean for Kenya, and aims to equip local communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) with data to advance their advocacy work to influence future reforms and help the government, donors, private sector actors, and conservationists make informed decisions.

scholarly journals Attitudes of professionals in Serbia on gender equality and gender-based violence: The research results

Temida ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-201
Author(s):  
Sanja Copic ◽  
Bejan Saciri
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Independent State ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

In 2019 the Victimology Society of Serbia conducted the survey aimed at assessing the attitudes of professionals who work in state institutions, independent state agencies and civil society organizations in Serbia about gender equality and genderbased violence, and collecting data on their experiences and challenges in dealing with gender-based violence victims, especially Roma women and women in rural areas. The survey was a part of the broader project aimed to contribute to policy and practice changes to ensure the recognition of harmful gender stereotypes and gender discrimination and to ensure suppression and timely response in cases of gender- based violence. It was a part of the program ?Ending Violence against Women in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey: Implementing Norms, Changing Minds?, implemented by the UN Women and funded by the European Commission. The survey was conducted on a sample of 199 respondents from the police, courts, prosecutors? offices, social welfare centres, independent institutions and civil society organizations, in 21 local communities in Serbia. The survey findings suggested that in general practitioners involved in the survey do not have negative attitudes towards gender equality and gender-based violence. However, when looking at some individual statements on the scales of attitudes on gender equality and gender-based violence, as well as answers to additional questions regarding the role of women and men at home, one can still conclude that traditional (gender) stereotypes are present in respondents of both sexes. The survey results also revealed a lack of knowledge about gender-based violence, which can result in the victim not being recognized, blaming the victim, failing to provide necessary assistance, support and protection, leading to re-victimization and secondary victimization. On average, male respondents have more conservative attitudes towards gender equality and gender-based violence than women. Older respondents, and consequently respondents with longer working experience, have more negative attitudes towards gender equality and gender-based violence than younger respondents. Respondents working in the judiciary, police and prosecution have more negative attitudes towards gender equality and gender-based violence than respondents from independent state bodies, centres for social work and civil society organizations. Attitudes on gender equality proved to be a strong predictor of attitudes about different forms of gender-based violence. Therefore, it is necessary to work further on raising awareness and strengthening capacities of practitioners in state institutions and civil society organizations on issues related to gender equality and gender-based violence, as well as on raising public awareness, including (potential) victims of gender inequality and gender-based violence, so that citizens can recognize their own or victimization of others and seek help and protect their rights.

scholarly journals It Takes a Village: UN Peace Operations and Social Networks in Postconflict Environments

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
T. I. Gizelis
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Postconflict Reconstruction ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
Horizontal Networks ◽  
External Actors ◽  
Horizontal Network

AbstractWhy are civil society organizations so often unable to make a difference during the transition to peace? I argue that the contributions of local civil society organizations and women's organizations to postconflict peacebuilding should be understood in terms of the networks that emerge during the peacebuilding process. Horizontal network conditions are essential for successful postconflict reconstruction. Yet external actors often implement policies that strengthen hierarchical links at the expense of such horizontal networks. To explore the types of networks that emerge in postconflict reconstruction, I use semistructured interviews conducted in Liberia. The evidence suggests that emerging horizontal networks are more robust in areas where local communities and women have a tradition of organizing. However, these networks remain fairly unstable. The assistance is mostly channeled centrally, strengthening hierarchical ties and leading to distortions in the distribution of resources.

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