Consultant-Violence based on Gender, Disability and Age in Jammu & Kashmir, India

1. Introduction

   Handicap International Federation is an independent and impartial international aid and development organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and natural disaster, alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. HI action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

   Handicap International has been present in India since 1988, and implemented a wide range of projects across several states of India, through partnerships at national, state and district levels; with both state and non-state actors including local partners, NGOs and INGOs).

   The strategic priorities of Handicap International in India have been : (1) Physical rehabilitation and support: improving rehabilitation and access to post -surgical, medical and rehabilitation care for people with disabilities; (2) Public Health: increasing awareness about the prevention of disability, its early identification, referral, treatment and ensure the disability prevention and care is delivered by the mainstream public health system; (3) Mainstreaming disability in Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Response; (4) Promoting participation of people with disabilities in economic, social and political sphere; (5) Promoting Accessibility by removing barriers that restrict participation of people with disabilities; and more recently (6) Mine Risk Education.

   In the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Handicap International’s works on enhancing quality of life of vulnerable groups including people with disabilities through increased access to quality physical rehabilitation services and risk reduction education related to conventional weapons in conflict affected areas. To broaden its scope of work in J&K, HI wishes to develop projects related to protection against violence based on gender, disability and age in conflict and development settings.

In line with the above, this Terms of Reference defines the scope for a detailed, analysis of Gender based Violence in Jammu and Kashmir State in order to support the definition of a prospective project proposal for J&K on this thematic.

1. Context

   Jammu and Kashmir is a state in the Himalaya Mountains in northern India with a population of 12.5 million, granted special autonomy under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. A line of control separates it from the Pakistan-controlled territories of Pakistan Administered Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan in the west and northwest. It borders China to the north and east.

   The region has experienced a protracted territorial conflict between China, India and Pakistan and a local insurgency, which has led to an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 causalities since 1989. It is estimated that at least 70,000 have been killed and 8,000 have gone missing [1].

   Due to the conflict the state faces political instability; poverty; threat of attacks by rebels; occupation by troops from India and the breakdown of the rule of law that have had far reaching consequences on the people of Kashmir. The people who are most vulnerable are women and children who are often the targets of domestic and sexual abuse by family members as well as security forces and rebels. Due to the current situation, perpetrators are seldom brought to justice and victims live in constant fear of further violence and abuse. [2]

Women in J&K, especially widows, half widows, are exposed to extreme poverty and violence due to limited opportunities to work, having no right over property, face acts of violence, including sexual abuse, rape, and trafficking[3]. Women with disabilities and children are at increased risk of sexual and gender based violence and severe psychological trauma due to separation from their primary caregivers and family, (death or displacement[4]).

Information from the National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs reports that the rate[5] of incidence of gender based violence in J&K is higher than the national average. As per another report, Domestic violence in J&K, especially at the hands of family members and for dowry-related conflicts has seen an increase from 13% in 2008 to 40% in 2015[6].However, there is no national level information disaggregated on disability and age.

Awareness on issues and services related to violence based on gender, disability and age is low , services are difficult to access and public policies do not sufficiently address the whole gamut of issues; making it essential to work on this area.

III Objective and scope of the work

The Objective of the consultancy : To provide a detailed qualitative analysis of the Gender Based Violence situation in Jammu and Kashmir and provide recommendations in order to support the definition of a prospective project proposal for J&K on this thematic.

Key responsibilities:

1/Conduct a desk and literature review:;

• GBV legal framework in Indian (national policy on GBV, response mechanism accountability mechanism etc.)

• Studies, Reports, Best practice documents, strategies, policy document, evaluations, media reports , etc , on gender, gender and power analysis, on GBV in India or more specifically in Jammu and Kashmir prepared by Government , Academic , Civil Society, etc.

• HI’ technical guidelines on GBV as well as HI’s approach on disability

• Other relevant documents and researches

  2/ Carry out a GBV analysis in Jammu and Kashmir:

  (This part will be supported with 2 HI staff members)

• Produce a gender analysis in J&K based on the Harvard analytical Framework [7]

• Produce a gender and power analysis with details on the involvement of men in protection women from GBV when existing

• Analysis of the existing prevention strategies within the community and highlight positive strategies and gaps within.

• Analysis of the social perception of disability and the exposure of people with disabilities to GBV

• Produce a mapping of existing GBV services and coordination mechanism in J&K as well as at national level.

• Analysis of the accessibility of services (geographical distance, cost, condition for access, physical accessibility etc…) and quality of services provided. Highlight gaps in terms of access to services.

• Provide an analysis of informal or formal existing referral pathway (help seeking behaviour) within the communities. Highlight gaps in terms of holistic response strategies.

• Carry out a field study and produce a detailed analysis of GBV situation in J&K with a specific focus on women and girls with disability allowing having a clear understating of: the most at risk groups; the root-causes and practices of violence; vulnerability factors increasing the risk of GBV with a focus disability, protective factors preventing GBV.

3/ Provide recommendations and feed the definition of an operational strategy in GBV sector for HI:

• Define the HI intervention in regards of the currents gaps and HI’s expertise by developing a theory of change (ToC)that explains the rationale of intervention and activities that shows how these will lead to the desired changes in policy, structures and ultimately in the lives of women and girls.

• Identify potential strategic partners in J&K to work with.

• Develop a Result based matrix with clear outcomes, outputs activities and SMART indicators.

IV Expected deliverables

1. At the Inception phase, a methodology description note covering the analysis methodology to be used for the field study, analyses questions, data collection plans and timeline. To be delivered within 3 working days after signing of contract.

2. GBV analysis report as per mutually agreed format, in line with the defined scope of work mentioned above.

3. Proposition of HI intervention in GBV sector in J&K – developing a Theory of Change and Result based Matrix.

4. List of documents and references (e.g.: studies, best practice documents, strategies, policy document, evaluations, etc) annexed

All of the material developed and used during this mission will be returned to HI (questionnaires, Focus groups discussions reports, interviews reports etc. )

V Methodology

The GBV analysis in J&K will employ a participatory methods; using combination of approaches to get quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The following steps will be followed:

• Desk and literature review and analysis of existing reference materials, data, studies, reports, relevant policy and legal frameworks on conflict, and violence based on gender, disability and age.

• Development of the field study methodology in J&K providing information on: sampling of the qualitative study, data collection tools, focus of the assessment, target groups and organizations(including representation of actors from the public sector, private, NGOs, CSOs, affected communities including women and girls and women with disabilities), number of focus group discussions and interviews to be carried out ; development of the questionnaires , defining geographical areas and targets for the study.

• Consolidation of information and Reporting and Validation by HI.

VI Duration& Location

The assignment is estimated to be carried out, over 4 weeks (20 days) between 15^th June to 30^th of July 2016. It will include 10 to 15 days field visit in J&K, following the festival of Eid .

VIII Consultant Qualification:

The successful candidate will have the minimum requirements detailed below:

Qualification:

Master degree or Phd in Gender and development or development studies with a focus on Gender issues

Or other qualification in Gender based Violence and Women Rights

Experiences and competencies:

At least 5 years of experience on project development, leading and conducting studies or needs assessment in the sector of Gender or Gender Based Violence as consultant. Previous experiences on working in the field of gender, sexual and gender based violence especially in conflict settings.

Strong understanding of conflict sensitivity analysis and Do No Harm Approaches.

Personal qualities:

• Strong analytical skills

• Excellent writing abilities

• Ability to work independently and within a team.

• Strong facilitation and reporting skills.

• Familiarity with the context in Jammu Kashmir is an added advantage.

• Flexibility in travelling and adapting to difficult conditions.

[1]JKCSS

[2] Master Thesis –“Gender violence in Kashmir”; By ShelaniVanniasinkam; May 2010

[3]Gender Perspective in peace initiatives : opportunities and Challenges; SatbeerChhabra Faculty, Women Development Division NIPCCD, N ew Delhi.

[4] There are roughly 1.5 million refugees from Indian Administered Kashmir in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. An estimated 50–100,000 Kashmiri Muslims and 150–300,000 Kashmiri Pandits have been internally displaced due to militancy.

[5] Crime Rate is defined as the incidence of crime per 1 lakh population.

[6]Dr.Shazia Malik, State Resource Centre for Women, National Mission for Empowerment of Women Social Welfare Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu

[7] It has to be noted that if relevant the consultant can proposed another methodology or tool

Consultants who meet the requirements should submit an expression of interest, which must include the following:

1. A personal statement;

2. A brief statement of the proposed methodology (technical proposal) including a work plan;

3. A financial proposal, including daily cost;

4. An updated curriculum showing qualifications and experience;

5. A summary of completed similar consultancies, including the name of the organisation for which the consultancy was conducted, the subject of the consultancy, the location in which any field work was undertaken and the name/e-mail address of the focal point in that organization to whom the consultant reported/worked with.

Documents should be sent to:

C-1/60, Safdarjung Development Area; New Delhi – 110 016; Ph: +91 11 46566934/5/6; Fax: +91 11 26521279 or email to apatri@hi-india.org

Application Deadline is 20/05/2016

The budget for this evaluation is for a maximum of 20 days.