This was the first workshop to bring together representatives from WASH and gender/women’s rights civil society organisations to begin a discussion on collaboration and partnerships for mutual benefit in Timor-Leste. The workshop was designed to provide participants with an overview of the research project coordinated by ISF-UTS with the University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) and WaterAid Timor-Leste. We were thrilled that 30 participants from 16 organisations attended the inaugural workshop for this research component.
The workshop commenced with an exploration of the types of partnerships emerging between WASH and gender-focussed CSOs in Timor-Leste, including mapping key organisations and relationships and knowledge flows. The session also involved a collaborative discussion around the drivers, benefits, and challenges of engagement between WASH sector civil society organisations (CSOs) and gender equality and women’s rights organisations.
Following the workshop, ISF’s Melita Grant worked with research partners from the University of Timor-Leste to pilot interview tools, and set up qualitative analysis software tools, ready for the first round of the data collection which will take place in March – April 2019.