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Gender- and Conflict-Sensitive Program Management

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Summary

This 8-page newsletter describes a new programme from the Swiss Development Agency entitled Conflict Sensitive Programme Management (CSPM). Its purpose is to help in non-violent conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The programme focuses on two questions as a way to stay on course: How does the conflict affect the project? How does the project affect the conflict?

The authors suggest that the process of helping develop non-violent conflict resolution should at the very least "do no harm." They anticipate results which will have both positive and negative implications in conflict situations. The CSPM "covers freedom from violence at a personal, structural and cultural level, as well as a just social system." The newsletter describes CSPM as attempting to reduce violence in three ways: by reducing structural violence; working towards changing social attitudes; and supporting pacifist efforts.

The programme relates a number of lessons learned:

  • the importance of having workers well prepared to manage social conflicts which are sometimes "aggravated by the actions of IC" (international cooperation) and to contribute to nonviolent solutions.
  • IC workers must understand the current state of the conflict and its fluctuations in order to adjust their programmes.
  • both men and women from all classes of society participate in the gathering of information and
    the analysis of conflicts so that different perspectives, opinions, interpretations and interests of the various players are considered. Who evaluates the situation? What does that mean for the program/ project?
  • there should be a focus on making use of a variety of information and analyses obtained for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of IC programs and projects.
  • IC projects should attempt to avoid further violence of existing sources of conflict.

Finally, the paper also offers a checklist for CSPM programmes, including questions in areas such as planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating.

Web link
for the 8-page newsletter in PDF format from the SDC webite. [Focus on Gender a…
Source

Message sent to GENDER-AIDS on December 15, 2004.