The relevance of a NAP-focused gender analysis is strongly dependent on the process used to carry out the analysis. Considering that the linking of climate change to gender equality is new or limited in most countries, NAP-focused gender analyses can be used in a number of ways to inform a country’s NAP process.Consequently, we recommend targeted gender analysis to support informed decision making in the NAP process (Dazé & Dekens, 2018). This has implications for both the NAP process’s effectiveness and its sustainability. Without a more nuanced understanding of gender dynamics and how they influence vulnerability to climate change and capacity to adapt, there is a risk that NAP processes will exacerbate existing inequalities and/or miss opportunities to promote more equitable participation and benefits. This can lead to unhelpful generalizations about women’s particular vulnerability, without interrogation of the reasons for this or recognition of the differences among women and the ways in which some men may be vulnerable. Further, the focus of gender integration in NAP documents tends to be on women only, versus the differences between women and men in the same context. However, our research has found that, while most countries are making an effort to address gender considerations in their NAP processes, there is limited evidence that context-specific gender analysis has been applied in the processes we analyzed. Undertaking gender analysis and applying it in decision making are essential steps in ensuring that NAP processes are gender-responsive. It provides a basis for integrating gender considerations in policies, programs and institutions, in an effort to ensure equitable benefits for women, men, boys and girls (Government of Canada, 2017 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, 2015 UN Women Training Centre, 2017). Gender analysis also aims to understand gender roles and dynamics, as well as how these influence the respective needs and priorities of women and men. It explores differences between and among women, men, girls and boys in terms of their roles, responsibilities, access to and control over resources. Gender analysis is a key tool used in development policy and practice. *Download the full briefing note from the right column. In sharing these reflections, we aim to demonstrate the value of targeted gender analysis in promoting adaptation action that is gender-responsive, while also documenting learning that may be useful for other countries that are working to integrate gender considerations in their NAP processes. It provides insights from the analyses, presenting common themes that are emerging as well as lessons learned from the process. This briefing note* describes the rationale and approach that NAP Global Network have taken in supporting these NAP-focused gender analyses. Since 2018, the NAP Global Network has been working with six country governments in Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Conakry, Madagascar and Togo) to undertake targeted gender analyses to inform their NAP processes. Although the countries are at different stages in the formulation and implementation of their NAPs, each felt that they had reached a strategic moment to conduct these analyses to inform the coming steps in the process. The National Adaptation Plans process, a key mechanism for countries to accelerate climate change adaptation efforts, represents an important opportunity for ensuring that investments in adaptation are effective and sustainable and that they generate equitable benefits for women and men, including the most vulnerable. This includes the Paris Agreement, which calls for climate action to be gender-responsive (UNFCCC, 2015), and the Gender Action Plan, which highlights the need to integrate gender considerations in adaptation plans and actions (UNFCCC, 2017). As countries advance their National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, they are increasingly focused on issues of effectiveness, aiming to put into practice the principles and approaches that have been highlighted in decisions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
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