Description
* Qualifications
Timeline * More Information
WorldWID
Consortium
University
of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Bennett College
Greensboro,
North Carolina
The Center for PVO/
University Collaboration
in Development
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Datex, Inc.
Falls Church, Virginia
Funded
by the Office of Women in Development, Global Bureau, the United States Agency
for International Development |
Introducing the Worldwide Women in Development Fellows Program (WorldWID)We have learned from past development efforts
that understanding gender issues and women in development is critical to the
establishment of more effective multicultural communication, assistance programs
and market development. To date, however, the number of persons who are trained
to address these issues is limited.
Goals of the WorldWID Program
Program Components
Who Are the WorldWID Fellows?
Program Support
Goals of the WorldWID ProgramThe goals of the WorldWID Fellows Program are:
- to build a cadre of U.S. technical specialists who can facilitate the incorporation of gender issues into the development programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID);
- to meet requests for gender analysis assistance in specific technical areas; and
- to expand the human resources available in other U.S. institutions for those efforts.
Through training in WID/GAD and gender analysis, individualized study, group learning, orientation programs, and field assignments, WorldWID Fellows will:
- increase their ability to translate WID/GAD concerns and gender analysis into their specific areas of technical expertise;
- gain a better understanding of the cultural and bureaucratic realities that affect the incorporation of gender interests into policy initiatives and planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation on the ground; and
- be able to more effectively integrate WID/GAD into the activities of their home institutions and professional associations.
Program ComponentsWorldWID Fellowships consist of:
- A Training and Orientation Program in Gainesville at the University of Florida and in Washington, D.C.:
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Using a participatory framework, trainers engage Fellows in learning methods for gender analysis and their application in the field of Women-in-Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD). Fellows also learn about USAID as an institution and an institutional culture. In preparation for a field assignment with USAID, Fellows are introduced to the institutional, sectoral, and country-specific issues that will assist them in developing a Scope of Activities or workplan. During the part of the program that takes place in Washington, D.C., Fellows meet with key persons within USAID and other agencies who can provide information and support for Fellows' field assignments.
- A Field Assignment:
- Following the Training and Orientation Program, WorldWID Fellows report to a USAID Mission abroad, or, in some cases, to USAID in Washington, D.C. Although most placements require a full year of program participation, WorldWID staff will try to accommodate those who cannot devote that long to the fellowship. The minimum time for participation is seven months, including the Training and Orientation Program. The Field Assignment gives the Fellow an opportunity to provide technical assistance to USAID Missions, Bureaus, and programs using gender analysis skills learned in training. Fellows implement a Scope of Activities developed with USAID and the WorldWID Program Director during the Training and Orientation component of the fellowship.
- Bringing Home the Lessons Learned:
- WorldWID is interested in expanding and supporting the cadre of technical experts who can use a gender analytical lens in their work. In order to enhance the long-term institutional impact of WorldWID, applicants must be endorsed by the institutions with which they are affiliated and must provide an "action plan" that explains how they will integrate the experience and knowledge gained through the program at home in the U.S.
Who Are the WorldWID Fellows?As a group, WorldWID Fellows are highly diversified by profession, areas of technical expertise, country of field assignment, and personal experiences shaped by race/ethnicity, and gender. We aim to diversify the cadre of WID/GAD experts by targeting under-represented professional and social communities and organizations in our recruitment efforts. Our selection process is based on matching applicants' skills and experiences with current and potential USAID requests.
As of October 1997, WorldWID has placed 17 Fellows in the field. The following is an introduction to past and current WorldWID Fellows, noting their professions, field placements, and primary focus during their field assignment.
- An environmental activist/planner from the Virgin Islands is working on USAID's global environmental policies.
- An attorney in employment law and a member of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights is in Uganda working on micro-lending and democratization programs.
- Founder of the international human rights organization Equality Now and an attorney, this Fellow assisted USAID in Nepal in assessing legal and judicial strategies for women's empowerment.
- A sociologist with the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor is working on women's political participation with USAID in El Salvador.
- A public policy analyst with a reproductive health organization is assisting indigenous women's organizations in Guatemala in poverty alleviation programs.
- A water engineer from an arid region in the Western U.S. is assisting a Jordanian non-governmental environmental organization with water conservation programs.
- A nutritionist and university professor is working in Egypt on nutritional education programs for adolescents, highlighting the needs of adolescent girls.
- An anthropologist is working on environmental policy in Panama.
- A political scientist and university administrator is working on a global assessment of women's political participation in transitional countries.
- A community development activist from the West Coast is working to address gender issues in USAID's programs with Russian non-governmental organizations.
- A university-based health communications specialist is in Romania developing communications programs for advocating women's reproductive rights.
- An anthropologist is in Nepal involving men in campaigns to lessen violence against women in families.
- An agricultural economict and extension specialist will assist USAID in Peru in efforts to develop income strategies that are alternatives to coca production.
- An attorney with the National Women's Political Caucus will assist USAID Malawi in programs that address women's legal rights and judicial reforms.
- A scientist and university professor is working on social and biological indicators for environmental monitoring in Madagascar.
- An educational specialist is working in Egypt on programs for girls' education.
- A public policy and recycling expert is assisting USAID in Honduras in addressing women's participation in public works programs.
Program SupportWhat WorldWID provides to Fellows:
- Stipend: A monthly stipend of $2,500.
- Travel: Domestic (U.S.) airfare for participation in the Training and Orientation Program. International airfare to and from the field assignment, and some other reimbursable costs associated with participation in the program.
- Medical Insurance: Up to half of the cost of the Fellow's current medical insurance as needed (the other half must be paid for by the Fellow or his/her home institution or organization).
- Medical evacuation insurance: Insurance which covers emergency situations, including medical evacuation during the field assignment of the fellowship.
- Housing: During the Training and Orientation Program in Gainesville and Washington, D.C., housing will be provided by WorldWID. A food allowance, based on State of Florida guidelines, will also be provided during this time. Please note: WorldWID noes not cover housing or food costs during the field assignment. However, depending on length of stay and living costs in a particular location, Fellows may receive a partial reimbursement for some housing costs during their field assignments.
- PLEASE NOTE:The program does not reimburse cost of Fellows' dependents.
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