Call for Research Proposals School-Related Gender Based Violence in Lebanon UNESCO Beirut 11 August 2010 INTRODUCTION Within the framework of the project Supporting Gender Equality in Education in Lebanon funded by the Government of Italy, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States - Beirut is launching a study on school-related gender based violence (GBV) in Lebanon and is inviting research proposals on this topic. Background information, requirements and instructions for application are sited below. The research proposals must reach UNESCO Beirut by regular mail by no later than 11 October 2010, at 16:00 (Beirut time). Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Following the review and selection process, UNESCO will only contact the applicant(s) of the selected proposal. UNESCO aims to launch the study in November 2010. BACKGROUND GBV is a global phenomenon manifested in every aspect of life, including education settings. It is a violation of human rights and a manifestation of gender discrimination. School-related gender based violence is a serious obstacle to learning causing not only physical harm but also severe psychological and educational damages. It poses serious threats and obstacles for the achievement of the Education for All Goals and the Millennium Development Goals, especially the ones relating to gender equality. The victims of GBV can be either males or females although women and girls are disproportionately affected. The issue of violence against women and girls is often considered as a taboo and together with the silence that surrounds it, it often leads to no or weak mobilization. However, despite the limited research in this area, there is indicative evidence that GBV unfortunately permeates the school environment in Lebanon, as in other parts of the world, with severe physical, psychological and learning consequences for students. According to the results of a Global School-based Health Survey by WHO in a number of developing countries, including Lebanon 1, between 20% and 65% of school-aged children reported having been verbally or physically bullied in the 30 days prior to the study which is an indication of the extent of the phenomenon of violence in schools. Furthermore, a recent study conducted by Save the 1 Global School-based Health Survey: World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/chp/gshs/en/ 1
Children Sweden 2 in Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen, reports cases of sexual harassment at school or of early marriages depriving girls of their right to education. According to the United Nations Secretary-General s In-depth Study on Violence against Women although harassment is recognized as a grave problem in developing countries little is known about the magnitude of the problem with the exception of a few studies, mostly conducted in Africa. Despite the growing mobilization around this phenomenon this kind of violence persists in all countries and represents a generalized violation of human rights and a major obstacle to the achievement of gender equality. UNESCO believes that the proposed study on school-related GBV in Lebanon will enhance the understanding around the issue of GBV violence, especially with relation to education settings. The findings of the study will be used to initiate policy dialogue on school related GBV and to guide appropriate corrective and preventive action in an effort to promote a safe learning environment that allows all learners, girls and boys, to attend school, free from the fear and consequences of violence. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK GBV is related to power inequalities between sexes and targets particularly women and girls 3. The concept of gender-based violence is not limited to sexual and physical violence, but includes all forms of violence when victims are targeted on the basis of gender roles. The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women provides a comprehensive definition of GBV as: any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. 4 GBV can affect every aspect of life and it can also be manifested in educational settings or during school-related activities where many girls, and sometimes boys, are subject to GBV. The term school-related rather than school-based is used since not all violence against students is limited to the school premises. Even going to and from school, on foot or by bus/taxi, etc, or living in a school dormitory setting away from home, for example, can place students at risk of violence and abuse. Definition of GBV For the purpose of this study, GBV includes any form of behaviour that causes (or threatens to cause) physical, sexual or psychological harm or discrimination in educational settings or if it interferes with/prevents education of students and especially girls and women, manifested through physical, verbal, psychological or institutional/regulatory/prohibitive acts. It includes the UN definition of GBV as described in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against 2 Gender-Based Sexual Violence against Teenage Girls in the Middle East, Save the Children, Sweden, 2007, available at: http://www.scsmena.org/gender%20viol%20ag%20girls%20mena%20study%202007.pdf 3 Violence liees au genre au milieu scolaire en Afrique Subsaharienne : http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/img/pdf/313_violences_liees_au_genre.pdf 4 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women: http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/48/a48r104.htm 2
Women mentioned above. It also includes any form of discrimination concerning access to education opportunities or in relation to education attainment and choices of all students, especially girls and women, as described in the Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960). 5 REASERCH GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The study is expected to help understand the nature, extent and causes of GBV in schools and its effect on all students, with particular attention to girls, and their education attainment. The main aim of this research is to initiate policy dialogue based on the findings of the study and identify recommendations to address and prevent GBV in and through education. The overall goal is to contribute to the promotion of gender equality and promote good quality education for girls and boys by generating knowledge in order to raise awareness and fight against the phenomenon of school related GBV. In this context, the key objectives of the research are to: Provide a comprehensive account of the nature and the extent to which the phenomenon of school related gender based violence occurs in or in relation to education settings in Lebanon. Examine the root causes of school related gender based violence and its main perpetrators. Study the impact of school gender based violence on students in general and girls in particular, and on their educational choices and achievement. Examine the complain avenues and the referral processes used by children and adults in cases of violence and/or abuse, assessing issues related to both physical concerns (nature of violence, etc.) and human resources aspects (e.g. availability of qualified human resources/gaps, etc.). Once the findings of the study become available, UNESCO intends to organize a national consultation for all key stakeholders in order to present the findings of the study, initiate policy dialogue and identify a set of policy recommendations for addressing the issue in and through education. SAMPLING FRAMEWORK The study will cover all levels of education, from pre-primary to higher education, and all types of education settings, from nursery schools to universities, public and private, covering all regions of Lebanon. Most specifically the research sample should include: Target group: - Children and youth 6 (age 5 to 24) - Girls and boys residing in Lebanon (Lebanese or of other nationalities) - Parents and parent teachers associations 5 Convention against Discrimination in Education: http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/discri_e.pdf 6 UN definition of youth : http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/qanda.htm#1 3
- School and teaching personnel (teachers, directors, etc.) School Health Coordinators, School Nurses, School Counsellors and other staff from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and from the Centre for Educational Research and Development - Social workers at the Social Development Centres of the Ministry of Social Affairs - Child protection practitioners and NGOs providing special care for children Type of schools: - Public, private, or semi private schools at all levels of education - Faith based schools at all levels of education - Universities, technical colleges/technical institutes and social institutions that provide academic care for children and youth Geographical and social coverage: - All six Mohafazats - Urban and rural settings - Different socio-economic groups - Different religious groups The sample should be based on the above mentioned criteria and it should be randomly selected with a size of 3000 students. The selection of the sample should be proportionally representative to sex, education level, types of school and each of the six Mohafazats. In determining the sample of schools and students, applicants can consult two publications issued by the Centre for Educational Research and Development: a) The Statistic Book of 2006/2007, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and, b) The School Guide for Education. In addition, 25-30 focus group or individual interviews are to be conducted for the remaining targeted groups in each Mohafazat with at least one representative from each target group mentioned above. DATA In order to better understand the phenomenon of GBV in Lebanon, the research findings should be based on both qualitative and quantitative data. - Qualitative data can be collected through personal interviews or mixed focus groups, as appropriate. Ethical considerations and challenges when interviewing children should be mentioned in the research proposal. - Quantitative data can be collected through different questionnaires and research tools for each target group that are age appropriate. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Eligible applicants are qualified individuals, teams of individuals, universities, NGOs or specialized entities engaged with social research and issues concerning gender, education, human rights and women s empowerment. 4
NOTE: - Applicants should have previous experience and expertise with conducting research in related fields, with proven records. Information on previous experience should include research conducted over the past 10 years, including the title of study, date conducted, publishing authority, publication date or any other information considered important. - Applicants should have previous experience with managing funds with proven records (e.g. titles of previous projects, amount of funds, funding source, completion date and deliverables). - Previous knowledge and work experience in Lebanon or the Arab Region in the field of gender, gender based violence and/or violence in schools would be an asset. BUDGET AND DURATION OF THE RESERCH The budget should not exceed the total amount of 60,000 USD for a period of one year (November 2010- November 2011). A detailed and itemized budget breakdown (by unit cost) should accompany the proposal in a separate sealed envelope, using the budget template provided in Annex 2. Other budget templates will not be accepted. TIME FRAME The research and submission of the findings should be completed in a period of 12 months (November 2010 November 2011). APPLICATION STRUCTURE Applicants should fill out and submit the attached research application template (Annex 1) together with their proposal in English. Proposals should clearly indicate the research background and literature review, research question, data, methodology, expected results and deliverables, budget, time frame, team composition, technical expertise and background information (CVs of research team, legal status and financial viability of the entity, etc.) and any other relevant information in support of the application. Applications should separately state how the research will address ethical considerations such as how to ensure the anonymity of the participants, and what research approach will be used in the case of children to ensure the objectivity of their responses and that no harm is caused to them as result of their participation in the study. Applicants should also state risks/assumptions throughout the execution of the survey, means to mitigate these risks as well as the method for validating the research tools. Proposals should not be more than 6-8 pages long. Applications following other structures or omitting any of the above requirements will not be considered. 5
DELIVERABLES 1. Data and statistics generated through the research; 2. A detailed and analytical report in English and Arabic, presenting the findings, including visual aids (graphs, charts, etc.). The structure of the report should be agreed upon with UNESCO while developing the research tools. 3. A power point presentation, in English and Arabic, with key findings of the study and implications/recommendations for policy change. 4. Detailed financial reports and receipts on the use of the funds. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS The proposals will be evaluated based on their overall quality and cost-effectiveness. An evaluation committee including representatives from UNESCO as well as external members will be established to review all submitted applications and make the selection according to the criteria listed below. Evaluation criteria Each proposal will be reviewed by the evaluation committee and will be rated according to the following criteria. - Category 1 criteria correspond to 40% of the total score, Category 2 to 30%, Category 3 to 20% and Category 4 to 10% of the total score. - Each proposal should pass each category before moving to the next, starting with Category 1. The passing grade for each category is: Category 1 = 70%, Category 2= 60%, Category 3= 50%). - The overall passing grade is 70% for the technical part and 30% for the financial part. A. Technical part Criteria Score 0 1 2 3 4 5 Category 1: Quality & scientific validity of the study (x 40) 1. Soundness of the theoretical framework 2. Soundness and clarity of research questions 3. Originality and relevance of the research methodology and approach Category 2: Qualifications and capacity of researcher(s) (x 30) 4. Qualifications and technical capacity of the proposed research team/individual(s) 5. Previous experience/relevance of research team 6. Local and regional knowledge of Education and Social Sectors Category 3: Appropriateness of study (x 20) 6
7. Feasibility of the project in terms of data collection 8. Appropriateness of the proposed timeline 9. Adequate presentation of ethical considerations/risks/assumptions Category 4: Language (x 10) 10. Linguistic clarity and accuracy Overall evaluation B. Financial Part NOTE: only the financial envelopes of qualified applications and of applications that have passed the technical part will be considered 11. Appropriateness of the proposed budget cost effectiveness Overall Evaluation TOTAL GRAND TOTAL The final selection of the proposal will be made principally upon the highest score (technical and financial combined) awarded by the evaluation team. Incomplete proposals will be disqualified. Only the financial envelopes of qualified applications and of applications that have passed the technical part will be considered. NOTE: A technical committee will be established in order to overview the implementation process. The selected individual/entity will work under the close supervision of UNESCO and the technical committee in finalizing the research tool, carrying out the research, finalizing and validating the results. UNESCO will establish a contract with the selected individual(s) or entity, providing partial payments upon the signature of the contract and upon receipt and validation of the submitted findings. The final payment will be made upon the submission of the final narrative and financial reports. The data and findings of the study will be considered as the intellectual property of UNESCO. UNESCO will have the authority to publish the data and results of the study. The study will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs. KEY DATES 11 August 2010: Announcement of call for proposals 11 October 2010: Deadline for submission of applications 20 October 2010: Deadline for the selection of successful proposal 7
20 October 2010: Announcement of selected proposal 20 October - 30 November 2010: Technical feedback and finalization of research tools 30 November 2010: Launch of the study (testing, revising and endorsing the research tools, data collection, report on the findings) Contacts: UNESCO Beirut Tel: + 961 (0) 1 85 00 13 Fax: + 961 (0) 1 82 48 54 Email: beirut@unesco.org 8
ANNEX 1: APPLICATION TEMPLATE The Research Proposal should be a complete description of the intended research. It must be between 6 and 8 pages long (excluding annexes). How to use this template: Please fill in all sections. Please type in the relevant information after each section and attach any additional information that is requested. Deadline: The research proposals must reach UNESCO Beirut through regular mail by no later than 11 October 2010, at 16:00 (Beirut time). Applications received after this date will not be considered. Address: Research proposals should be sent in a sealed, signed and stamped envelope. The financial template should be enclosed in a separate, sealed, signed and stamped envelope. Kindly send your proposal to: Gender Equality Project UNESCO Beirut Cité Sportif Avenue, Bir Hassan P.O. Box: 11-5244 Beirut APPLICATION STRUCTURE Please fill out the below sections of the application. Applications following other structures/ templates will not be considered. 1. Research title 2. Brief introduction 3. Background and statement of the problem (in light of a literature review and given definitions of GBV) 4. Research question or hypothesis 5. Risks and assumptions 6. Study design (type of study) 7. Study population and sampling 8. Data collection methods and instruments 9. Validation of research tools 10. Data analysis methods 11. Mechanisms to assure the quality of the study (e.g. control of bias, quality of the data, safe storage of data, anonymity, etc) 12. Presentation of the findings (content and structure) 9
13. Study period - timetable for the completion of the research and submission of the report. Last date for submitting the report of the findings of the research must be 20 November 2011 Activity Starting Date Completion date 13. Participants in the study (all individuals/researchers that will be involved in the study and their function should be identified) 14. Ethical considerations (how to ensure anonymity, objectivity, avoiding harm, etc.) 15. Resources required for the study 16. A total budget estimate and a detailed budget breakdown by line of expenditure/activity, as per the attached template 17. Annex 1: Application Template 18. Annex 2: Financial Template 19. Annex 3: Contact Information, CVs and other information about the researchers 10
ANNEX 2: Financial Template Item Description Unit Number of Units Line of expenditure 1 (please use as many lines as needed) Item 1 Please use as many items as needed per line of expenditure (e.g. researchers, data collection, data analysis, focus groups transportation, supplies, etc.) Subtotal Total (e.g. researcher, transportation to school, etc.) (what is costed, e.g. months of work, hours, research tool, etc. Unit cost 1,2, cost per unit in USD (e.g. $1,500) Total item cost $ 3, 000 (e.g. 2x $1,500) 11
Annex 3: Contact information Name of applicant Title Organization Country of Residence Email Address Phone Number Mobile Number Fax number Date of submission (dd/mm/2010) Please attach background information and CVs of individuals participating in the study, information concerning the legal status and financial viability if the applicant is not an individual, or any other information in support of this proposal. 12