(1) Evaluation of the Ad hoc Committee 2011 Road Map (2) Challenges and Priorities of Actions Planned for 2012 in Terms of Approaches and Advocacy on Gender Issues – Discussions. (3) Updating and finalizing the 2012 Road Map (4) Responsibilities and Support for the Implementation of the 2012 Road Map – Such were the main points on the agenda of the 8^th Meeting of the Gender Ad Hoc Committee organized by COMIFAC ES, with the support of CBFP Facilitation.

Yaounde (Cameroon), 05 April 2012 – Holding of COMIFAC 8^th Gender Ad hoc Committee Meeting. The meeting was organized by COMIFAC ES, with the support of CBFP Facilitation. Chaired by COMIFAC Executive Secretary, Mr. Raymond Mbitikon, COMIFAC 8^th Gender Ad hoc Committee meeting gathered 16 persons representing the following organizations: COMIFAC, ACDI, GIZ, UICN, RAFM, CBFP Facilitation, CAFER, REFADD, SNV, FAO, PACEBCo, the gender expert, Facilitator of COMIFAC Gender Ad hoc Committee.

The opening of the meeting was marked by the introductory note of COMIFAC ES, Mr. Raymond Mbitikon. He thanked and welcomed the participants. A special welcome was addressed to Mrs Françoise NDUWIMANA, the main expert – Gender equality, Africa Area CIDA, for her interest and contributions in the gender institutionalization process within COMIFAC.

Following this introductory note, the agenda was reviewed and adopted unanimously and four points were examined by participants.

Evaluation of the 2011 Road Map

The methodological approach adopted was the review of the road map, item by item by the gender consultant. This exercise enabled the appraisal of each result achieved compared to the planned activity. After these presentations, COMIFAC ES opened discussions in order to encourage exchanges, commentaries and contributions on the 2011 road map presented. The following major points resulted from the discussions: (1) ownership of the results achieved by COMIFAC Gender Ad hoc Committee by represented organizations, especially COMIFAC; (2) mobilizing financial resources – i.e. sponsorship for the implementation of the Committee road map. (3) the need to take gender into consideration in the (ongoing) review process of the Convergence Plan and to quickly fill the vacant position of gender expert within COMIFAC; (4) the need for sub-regional synergy between those who work on gender issues and the review of the Convergence Plan. (5) the need for reflection at COMIFAC level for an institutional anchoring of the Ad Committee; (6) capitalizing good practices at national and sub-regional levels; (7) the need for capacity building at all levels (organizations, public institutions, etc.) in order to help all to understand gender and the implementation of its principles in management and advocacy; (8) information sharing and result dissemination, especially putting in place an effective information and result dissemination tool for the activities of the Committee for a greater ownership at local, national and sub-regional levels. Ownership should be translated into facts. For instance, COMIFAC term notes should better capitalize and develop the results of the Ad hoc Committee and present the resolutions of the study to the Ministers on the one hand, and to the Heads of State on the other hand, for adoption.

Challenges and Priorities of Activities Planned for 2012

The challenges and priorities of activities planned for 2012 were adopted by participants and divided into four groups: (1) Participation in considering gender in the review of the Convergence Plan (2) Advocacy on gender issues: (3) COMIFAC capacity building on Gender issues (4) Defining a vision and developing a strategy to achieve the results:

Road Map 2012

In order to prepare the road map of the Ad hoc Committee, a commission made up of REFADD, RAFM, GIZ, ACDI, and COMIFAC was established with TDRs. A draft including a schedule shall be sent to all the participants for input before it is adopted during a workshop.

Empowerment and Support

(1) The participants unanimously decided to henceforth talk about the operating road map and the operating action plan of COMIFAC Gender Ad hoc Committee

(2) Once finalized by the commission, the 2012 road map shall be sent to the various partners for positioning and empowerment on the activities

(3) Working with REFADD in view of making actions durable and ensuring the institutional anchoring of the Committee

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The meeting's Report