DRL Combatting Discrimination Against Women – Mauritania

DRL is seeking proposals to address gender discrimination in Mauritania.  DRL’s goal is that Mauritanian women are better protected through the implementation of legal reforms and greater access to services that mitigate the effects of GBV.

Objectives

• Objective 1: Civil society advocacy contributes to the advancement and implementation of legal reforms and policies that address and prevent gender discrimination.
  • Civil society advocacy has contributed to the advancement of greater legal protections for women in Mauritania, the most significant of which is the long-awaited draft law targeting violence against women and girls. Despite recent successes, more reforms are needed for the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ rights, such as facilitating access to education, healthcare, employment, land, protection from violence, official state records (including national identification), credit, and political participation.
  • In addition, the government needs to be held accountable for gaps that exist in the implementation of existing laws and policies that address gender discrimination. Activities for this project can include but are not limited to identifying shared reform priorities among citizens, civil society, government, religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders; building advocacy networks and/or coalitions; conducting advocacy, education and awareness campaigns and dialogues around potential reforms; providing technical assistance in drafting necessary reforms; assisting with the implementation of reforms; and/or monitoring new reforms.
  • DRL understands that reform is political and cultural.  As such, applicants are encouraged to focus on feasible reforms, policy, and behavioral changes that combat gender discrimination, even if that means some goals might not be achieved during the project’s period of performance.
• Objective 2: Women’s groups in Mauritania increase access to basic services and legal recourse for survivors of gender-based violence. 
  • One of the major issues holding women back from fully participating in political and social life in Mauritania is GBV.  Women who report rape face charges of adultery and could face years of imprisonment.  Despite the 2017 adoption of a new law on reproductive health and of a General Code on Children’s Protection, Mauritanian law does not adequately define and criminalize sexual violence. The lack of a formal definition of rape and other forms of sexual assault in domestic law heightens the risk for survivors that they themselves may be prosecuted.
  • Applicants should leverage recent democratic openings to increase access to prevention and response services for GBV that target girls and women at risk of and affected by GBV and assist the government in implementing laws that combat GBV, including capturing data on GBV prevalence.
  • Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:
    • Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
    • Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
    • Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
    • Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
    • Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities; Systematic follow-up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
  • Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
    • The provision of humanitarian assistance;
    • English language instruction;
    • Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
    • Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
    • External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
    • Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
    • Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
    • Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
    • Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $ 1,250,000
• Award Ceiling: $1,250,000
• Award Floor: $1,250,000
• Period of Performance: 16-24 months

Eligibility Criteria

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.