STRATEGY
2007 - 2012
1. Introduction ............................................................................. 3
2. Our vision ................................................................................ 3
3. Main goal ................................................................................. 4
4. The purpose of FOKUS ...................................................................... 4
5. Goals for the strategy period ................................................................ 4
6. Priorities in the activities ................................................................... 5
6.1 Thematic priorities ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
6.2 Geographical priorities ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
............................................................................ 8
7. Work methods
7.1 Development cooperation and long-term development assistance ....................................................................................... 9
7.2 Competence building ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9
7.3 Information and advocacy work ...................................................................................................................................................10
7.4 Collaborations ...................................................................................................................................................................................10
7.5 Roles .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
8. Evaluation
................................................................................ 11
1. Introduction
FOKUS’ activities have expanded. In 2007 FOKUS comprise 72 organizations, including women’s organizations, women’s
working groups in political parties and trade unions alongside solidarity and development aid organizations. Among
these are 35 organizations engaged in project activities.
Although FOKUS was formally established in 1995 by 41 women’s organizations, its origin dates back to 1989, when the
women’s organizations initiated a collaborative effort in connection with the annual national TV fundraising campaign
called “Women in the 3rd World” (“Kvinner i den 3. verden”). With the funding raised by the campaign, a secretariat was
established to distribute funding to Norwegian women’s organizations participating in collaborative projects with sister
organizations in the South.
In 2005, FOKUS was once again awarded the annual national TV fundraising campaign (this time called “Dreamcatcher”, “Drømmefanger”). The theme for the campaign was violence against women.
FOKUS has framework agreements with Norad (the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) concerning its
development cooperation and information work. In 2007 FOKUS, supports 74 projects in 34 countries. Of these, 43 are
funded by means from the TV fundraising campaign, 30 are funded through framework agreements with Norad and one
through Operation Day’s Work (ODW 1999). In 2007, the amount for project funding totals almost NOK 40 million. As a
direct result of the TV fundraising campaign, the FOKUS-secretariat was increased from five to seven members.
In this strategy FOKUS sets out the guidelines for the activities for the next five years. The strategy is global and
encompasses all areas of FOKUS’ activities. With the strategy, FOKUS aims to develop the activities further. FOKUS aims
at becoming an even more effective influence and support in improving women’s economic, social and political situation
in the South.
In order to achieve this goal, FOKUS will concentrate on three areas: women’s rights, violence against women and
women’s political and economic participation. Our wish is to concentrate the projects geographically in order to ensure
an improved quality control of our efforts. Particular emphasis will be placed on competence building to help
strengthen FOKUS’ efforts in different areas.
The strategy is founded on the statutes of FOKUS and the activities of the member organizations. It aims to develop the
different aspects of FOKUS’ activities, and is based on the project strategy and the information strategy adopted by the
organization. The main part of FOKUS’ activities are financed through public funding from Norad and various ministries,
and the strategy is aimed at helping the member organizations as well as the FOKUS’ secretariat to meet the demands
of the authorities. This also relates to the demands from Norad for a reliable administration and a proper follow-up of
the development cooperation projects. Furthermore, the strategy aims at making FOKUS a greater resource to push
more actively for women’s right and development questions.
FOKUS’ activities are based on Norwegian women’s organizations, their work methods and goals. This foundation is used
to build partnerships with international sister organizations and countries in the South in order to realize women’s
rights and to improve the situation of women. This is our contribution to development.
This strategy will be a helpful and constructive guide along the way!
2. Our vision
Women together change the world
Our vision is that of a just world where the organizing of women serves as the foundation for equal societies without
oppression.
3. Main goal
FOKUS’ statutes state the following:
“FOKUS’ main goal is to work for an improvement of women’s social, economic and political situation internationally,
with an emphasis on the countries in the South1.”
4. FOKUS’ objectives
 FOKUS shall be the competence and resource center for women’s organizations on international women’s
issues.
 FOKUS shall, through development cooperation, strive to improve the social, economic and political situations
of women internationally with an emphasis on the countries in the South.
 FOKUS shall, through information work, strive to increase Norwegian society’s knowledge about and
understanding of women’s situation and role in a development perspective.
 FOKUS aims to strengthen the bonds and collaboration between Norwegian women’s organizations in their
international efforts.
5. Goals for the strategy period
In the strategy period 2007-2012, FOKUS aims to contribute to
 Strengthening women’s rights
The organizing of women and their participation shall result in better knowledge, formalization, respect and
realization of women’s rights.
 Combating violence against women
The organizations shall step up their influence on attitudes, behavior, judicial frameworks and support
measures with the aim of reducing the extent of violence against women.
 Strengthening women’s political and economic participation
The organizing and participation of women shall strengthen their control over economic resources and boost
their influence in political structures at different levels.
 Strengthening FOKUS’ as an advocate for women’s rights
FOKUS shall, in collaboration with women’s organizations in the South, become more visible in pressing and
advocating for women’s rights in relation to public opinion and authorities in Norway and international forums.
1
Countries in “the South” include poor and marginalized countries that, according to the OECD, may receive aid. They are mostly located on the
southern hemisphere. Greater parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe are included in the term.
6. Priorities in the activities
FOKUS must sustain a global perspective in its activities in addition to an insight into different parts of the world, and be
based on a comprehensive understanding of women’s situation. Within this context, the activities must focus on specific
themes which are of particular significance for women’s situations and the activities of women’s organizations.
6.1 Thematic priorities
FOKUS’ work is primarily based on the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the Beijing Platform for Action adopted by the
Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The 12 areas of concern2 in the Beijing
Platform for Action form the thematic basis for FOKUS’ activities. When FOKUS works for
“women,” this may also include the girl child, depending on the situation at hand.
FOKUS’ approach in general is rights-based, and this affects all areas of its work. In order to
contribute to improve women’s situations in the strategy period, FOKUS will give priority to
the following themes:
Women’s rights
Violence against women
Women’s political and economic participation
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
FOKUS works especially for women because there are great structural differences between men and women, and
women are subject to systematic discrimination in different contexts. We wish to work for women’s civil, cultural,
economic, political and social rights because in very many countries they are not respected nor recognized.
Women’s rights are formalized into international documents like conventions, declarations and action plans, but they
need to be continued as conditions develop. Gradually these rights have become adopted in national legislation, but their
inclusion is in many cases incomplete and the implementation of them is often inadequate or insufficient. It is a
continual process to ensure that the needs and conditions of women who are vulnerable and at particular risk are
being taken care of both within the international legal framework and national legislation, and that their formal rights
are realized to the fullest extent possible. Women’s sexual and reproductive rights constitute a particularly important
but sensitive area of women’s lives and health, and in many cases this area demands particular effort.
Women are entitled to participate actively in processes that affect them. The prevention of discrimination and the
promotion of the rights of marginalized and vulnerable women are issues of particular importance. As part of this work,
it is essential to make women aware of their rights and strengthen their abilities to demand the realization of these
rights. This entails that women’s right to health and education, social security and an acceptable standard of living are
realized. In this work on there is strong focus on the problems of hiv/aids, not least in relation to poor, marginalized
and indigenous women.
In FOKUS’ work this means that:
We must maintain a high level of knowledge about international human rights documents, the implementation
of, and the debates about these, particularly the UN Women’s Convention (CEDAW) with the Optional Protocol
and the Beijing Platform for Action.
We must inform and make the international community aware of the situation surrounding women’s rights.
2
The twelve areas of concern noted in the Beijing Platform for Action, are: Women and Poverty; Education and Training of Women; Women and
Health; Violence Against Women; Women and Armed Conflict; Women and the Economy; Women in Power and Decision-Making; Institutional
Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women; Human Rights of Women; Women and the Media; Women and the Environment; and the Girl-Child.
We must influence the UN system and Norwegian authorities to ensure that women’s rights are developed,
respected and realized in collaboration with international networks and women’s organizations in the South.
We must be able to offer guidance on how to integrate women’s rights and equality into development work.
In our development work we must support our partner organizations’ efforts to:
o Promote the ratification and implementation of international human rights documents.
o Change laws so that they recognize women’s rights and contribute to improving women’s situation.
o Ensure that legislation is implemented in practical politics and that resources are appropriated to
enable initiatives to be followed through.
o Make women aware of their rights and give them an understanding of the effects they have on their
lives.
o Empower women to demand that their rights be realized and continually developed to meet women’s
needs.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
The UN states that violence against women is a serious obstacle for development and gender equality. The utmost
consequence of this is that it prevents women from fully participating in society on equal terms, thereby also creating a
serious democratic problem.
Within the theme Violence against women, FOKUS gives priority to the following problem areas:
Women in and after war and conflict
Trafficking in women
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Female Genital Mutilation
Violence in intimate relationships
In relation to FOKUS’ work, this means that:
We must have updated knowledge about and take part in the ongoing debate about violence against women.
We must contribute with information, stimulate debate and convey knowledge about ways to combat violence
against women.
We must influence international forums and the Norwegian government to demand measures to combat
violence against women. In particular FOKUS will follow up on the implementation of the action plans against
female genital mutilation, trafficking in women and the UN Security Council’s resolution 1325 on women, peace
and security.
In our development work we must support partner organizations’ efforts to:
o Improve legislation and politics relating to violence against women and the girl child.
o Increase women’s and men’s awareness in order to improve knowledge and change attitudes and
behavior.
o Push for the implementation of measures attending to women’s rights and protect them against
infringement of these rights.
o Give women places to seek support and refuge during crises.
o Provide women and young girls with access to psychological, physical and economic support, possibly
compensation.
o Change men’s behavior, also through measures that promote male roles in an gender equality context.
WOMEN’S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
In order for women’s situation to improve, it is important that women gain access to decision-making processes and
power structures. Only then can women’s voices be heard and women’s needs be taken into account. Women’s living
conditions must be improved through increased incomes, good working conditions and control over economic
resources. Women must be represented in political bodies on local, regional and national levels. They must also have
access to the media. In order to strengthen women’s position, it is essential that they attend school and have access to
other types of education and schooling of various kinds. Furthermore, it is essential that women organize themselves
because they are stronger as a united group.
In FOKUS’ work this means that:
We must have adequate knowledge of what promotes or prevents women’s political and economic
participation internationally, particularly in the South.
We must inform and create awareness within our own organization and in public opinion about the problems.
We must influence Norwegian authorities so that they, through their development efforts, contribute to
promoting women’s political and economic participation in countries in the South.
We must push for Norwegian authorities and other partners to contribute to the creation of global economic
frameworks that attend to women’s needs and rights, particularly in the South.
In our development work we must support partner organizations’ efforts to:
o Give women the opportunity and access to participate in economic and political decision-making and
power structures.
o Make women’s voices heard at all levels, not least through the mass media.
o Give women the formal right of and ensure that they have greater control over property and economic
resources.
o Safeguard women’s income and possibilities to support themselves and their families.
o Fulfill women’s professional rights.
6.2 Geographical priorities
FOKUS wishes to continue existing project cooperation in Africa, Asia, Latin America and
Eastern Europe, but in the course of the next few years FOKUS wishes to reduce the
geographical spread of the project portfolio. The projects are based on the member
organizations’ competence and networks, but they must also meet different quality demands if
they are to receive funding. NORAD demands that the quality assurance of the development
assistance projects in general must be strengthened, but the development of countries’
competence and a systematic follow up of activities are made difficult by the great geographical spreading. Decreasing
the spread may also contribute to strengthening collaborative ties between women’s organizations in Norway as well as
in the South.
First and foremost, FOKUS wishes to support development cooperation activities in areas where:
Women are in need of help to strengthen their rights and organize and oppose discrimination of women.
There are competent women’s organizations or there is a potential for women’s organization.
The member organizations of FOKUS have competence and experience and the possibility to obtain results
from their efforts.
There are possibilities for networking – nationally, regionally and internationally.
FOKUS’ prioritized themes are essential.
There are possibilities for collaborations with likeminded Norwegian organizations and for promoting women’s
rights in Norwegian involvement in development cooperation.
The reduction of the geographical spread in the years to come will happen gradually by phasing out some projects for
various reasons, and new projects receiving funding will be prioritized in specific geographical areas. FOKUS will
prioritize projects in three sub-regions. These will be chosen on different continents to provide insight into differences
in women’s situation in different parts of the world. The sub-regions are then primarily defined by the project efforts of
FOKUS’ member organizations. In addition, the existence of a general Norwegian development effort involvement in the
sub-regions has been emphasized. The sub-regions are:
East Africa – in this area a number of member organizations have projects, and women’s needs are
pronounced.
South Asia – several member organizations have projects there and the sub-region is among those areas
where women’s situation is the poorest.
Central America and the Andes region – member organizations here have shown considerable interest and
commitment, particularly for indigenous women.
In addition to the three sub-regions, projects in South Africa and Palestine/Lebanon will also be prioritized because of
the special political and economic situation in these areas.
The themes and quality of the projects will form their bases. Next, the projects in the three sub-regions and those in
South Africa and Palestine/Lebanon will be prioritized over other geographical areas. The aim is to reduce the number
of countries where FOKUS’ member organizations run development projects roughly by half in the course of the
strategy period.
Projects linked to the government’s action plan against female genital mutilation will not be subject to the general
geographical prioritization as FOKUS possesses a particular competence in this field. It is important to compare
experiences from different countries, and the theme has been awarded particular treatment by Norwegian authorities.
Projects in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe which are funded by the TV fundraising campaign will need more funding
if they are to be continued.
Support for international and regional networking within FOKUS’ prioritized themes will not be subject to the general
geographical prioritization.
In countries where there are relatively high numbers of development projects, the aim will be to build programs where
the member organizations develop collaborations further within their country and contribute to networking between
partner organizations nationally.
In addition to more long-term development projects, funding will also be awarded to some more short-term
collaborative efforts between FOKUS’ member organizations aiming to share experiences, create new opportunities and
try out new ideas and initiatives, networking and lobbying.
In the international collaboration work, FOKUS will seek to reduce as much as possible any strain on the environment
caused by the activities.
7. Work methods
FOKUS’ activities have three main areas of work: development cooperation, competence building, information- and
advocacy efforts. The following will present the direction and the work methods for these areas.
7.1 Development cooperation and long-term development assistance
The work methods for development cooperation will be developed further. The guidelines
drawn up in the FOKUS project strategy will be upheld. This means, among other things,
that it is the member organizations, and not the FOKUS secretariat, that run the projects,
and that they must have local foundation, that the responsibility for developing
collaborations with partners in the South lies with the member organizations, that the
partner organizations are responsible for the implementation of the projects and that in
addition to the project collaboration, institutional ties may also be formed between FOKUS and similar networks or
secretariats in the South. The work to establish long-term programs entails an overall planning of the efforts in a
particular country or within a particular theme, and that work methods are developed which include the women’s
organizations and the networks in the South as equal partners in the process of developing the programs.
In addition to the regular development cooperation projects, resources will also be allocated for supporting short-term
collaborations in FOKUS’ international commitment. The partnership between FOKUS’ member organizations and sister
organizations in the South are central in this respect. The funds will be used to elaborate on this through collaborative
processes, the sharing of experiences, common initiatives and innovation in relief work. Rules for this will be worked
out in detail later.
7.2 Competence building
For FOKUS to continue being an important resource in questions relating to women and
development, there must also be emphasis on a continued development of FOKUS’
competence.
FOKUS’ role as a center of competence must be strengthened in order to reach the goals set
for this strategy period. Methods for this will be systematic collection, documentation and
analysis of knowledge and experience. We will disseminate the findings through publications,
courses, lectures and seminars. FOKUS wishes to serve as a meeting place and knowledge base for collaboration and
information about development cooperation directed towards women, particularly when it comes to good methods and
professional resources. FOKUS must push for and participate in debates about development work in a women’s
perspective. Routines must be established in which the partners in the South are premise providers.
The function of the center of competence will be an integrated part of the formal structure of FOKUS. FOKUS’ own
project cooperation, including the partner organizations in the South, will be an important knowledge base for the
competence work.
All levels of the FOKUS network will emphasize continual competence building, both in Norway and in the South.
Functioning as centers of competence is an important part of this work. In addition, there will be possibilities for
schooling among the member organizations, the board, the secretariat and the partner organizations, in order to stay
updated on thematic knowledge and promote good technical and specialized qualifications during job performances.
Participation in work groups, information- and advocacy work and development cooperation are in themselves
important parts of competence building. If FOKUS is to keep up its work, develop a center of competence and be
involved in competence building on several levels, there will be a great need for additional funding.
7.3 Information and advocacy work
In our information and advocacy work, FOKUS emphasizes its role as a meeting place for
dialogue between the South and the North as well as promoting the views of FOKUS’ network
both at home and abroad. Within Norway, conveying the viewpoints of the South into the
debate will be of particular importance.
FOKUS must direct its information work efforts towards creating interest and understanding
in Norwegian society for women’s situation and role in the South. Information work is
primarily directed towards our member organizations, solidarity- and development
organizations, Norwegian authorities and the media.
FOKUS must act as a watchdog and a driving force vis-à-vis the Norwegian authorities, international fora, and public
opinion in international questions concerning women and development.
FOKUS must create debate and raise views and problems that are important to women, but which are not given the
attention they deserve. This may include topics where many hold differing opinions. We wish to contribute dynamically
to ways of thinking and approaching questions concerning women and development. In order to be able to push for work
with women’s rights, we must have an open debate both internally and externally, and verbalize our opinions in a
manner that will make us heard. Official statements made on behalf of FOKUS as a whole can of course be treated
according to standard organizational procedures, but groups and individual members within the FOKUS organization
must also be allowed to make statements on their own. FOKUS must have the capacity and the knowledge to contribute
with constructive suggestions that will move the debate and ways of thinking forward.
FOKUS must arrange for participatory processes through:
The establishment of working groups in different parts of the country depending on where there is interest
and competence, where the member organizations collaborate and contribute with initiatives and suggestions.
Continual networking – also including networking conferences – where the Norwegian organizations and those
from the South come together to learn and promote demands and opinions.
Organizing and supporting seminars, conferences and campaigns as meeting places for debates and the
promotion of a clear and concise message.
Initiation of debates by presenting information and problems and being a driving force towards the authorities
and public opinion.
In its informational work, FOKUS must:
Make active use of different types of media for communicating and promoting information adapted to the
different target groups. This includes printed publications, FOKUS’ magazine “Women United” (“Kvinner
sammen”) and the homepage www.fokuskvinner.no.
Stimulate the member organizations in their own informational work on international questions concerning
women.
Develop a clear strategy for communication in order to reach out to and mobilize initiatives for women and
questions concerning development.
7.4 Collaboration with others
FOKUS wishes to collaborate with other relevant women’s organizations, development organizations and research
communities in all areas of work in order to learn, share competence and make contributions that will increase the
effects of our activities.
7.5 Roles
FOKUS comprises a wide variety of organizations, and the successful
implementation of this strategy depends on everyone contributing their competence
on international questions concerning women. The plan is for different organizations
to participate and receive support in various ways, depending on their interests and
competence, through:
Running long-term development work,
Initiating partnerships with funding for short-term collaborative efforts,
Participating in initiatives for competence building,
Participating in work groups,
Working with advocacy and lobbying measures.
The board of directors and the governing board will play a central role in ensuring that the direction of the strategy is
upheld and ensure that the strategy is made operational through operative efforts and financing.
The FOKUS secretariat will contribute to the implementation of the strategy, perform necessary tasks and act as an
advisory resource to the FOKUS network.
The strategy presupposes the development of new work areas and work methods and new and strengthened
competence. This will be done through the use of resources and competence that is available, but in order for FOKUS
and the member organizations to be able to develop their roles and their capacities further, there will be a need for
new resources.
8. Evaluation
FOKUS has a practice of evaluating its project work. During this strategy period we wish to further emphasize secure
documentation of results from all parts of the operation. This means continued development of the evaluation process
and our systems and methods for recording results.
FOKUS will carry out annual internal assessments of the strategy itself. The board of directors is responsible for
ensuring that this is done. The results will be presented to FOKUS’ governing board.