Women’s Dress Codes and Gender Based Violence: Narratives on Challenges and Agency from the MENA Region.

 RFQ-MENRP-21-0010

Assignment:

Women’s Dress Codes and Gender Based Violence: Narratives on Challenges and Agency from the MENA Region. 

Timeline:

1/November/2021 to 28/February/2022.

Location:

Regional with a focus on Egypt Iraq Jordan Lebanon, and Occupied Palestinian Territories, Tunisia.

Harmful social norms sustain, normalize, justify and legitimize violence against women and girls (Butt et al, 2020[1]; Stark & Seff, 2021)[2]. These norms are based on notions of women’s sexual purity, protecting family honor over women’s safety, women’s limited presence in the public sphere, and men’s authority to discipline and punish women[3] (Perrin et al, 2019). One particular set of norms that sustain violence against women are those associated with women’s dress codes and practices. Sexual harassment and violence occur worldwide regardless of what the women wear. All types of sexual harassment and abuse including sexual abuse and rape, can be blamed on women who are judged as “deserving” of this harm because of what they wear or how they appear. The cliché question “What was she wearing during the incident?” is a globally known technique that blames violence survivors and assumes responsibility of women for provoking men.      

Women dress codes are part of social norms that are monitored by other members of the community including women. Generally, women are made aware of their bodies and that they need to conform to clothing standards that their male counterparts find unprovocative at a very early age (Wah, 2016; and Jaymie, 2017)[4]. A Perception survey by Muzaffar and his team (2020) confirms that women’s clothes are considered a factor when males commit a sexual assault according to Indian university students [5]. Another study by Burn (2009) concluded that authorities place greater responsibility on women victims of sexual assaults if their clothing were seen as provocative[6]. 

Furthermore, social norms and perceptions may attribute some personality treats to women based on their dress codes and appearances. In a 2018 study by Gurung and his team found that women who wear “less revealing” clothes were described as more intelligent, more responsible, and more competent than the same women wearing “revealing clothes”^[7]. Women who do not meet the expectations or social norms of clothing can be punished or disciplined or blamed for the violence they face (Brower, 2013)^[8]. The norms around dress codes practiced in public spheres might as well serve as proxies for discrimination based on race, gender, or any other background ^[9] (McKay-Panos, 2004)

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), violence against women is estimated at 37% of women in comparison to the global rate of 30% (UN Women 2020). One type of violence is associated with what women should or shouldn’t wear. Women dress codes are highly politicized issue in the MENA region with contradictory discourses There are multiple forms of patriarchal violence and discrimination against women based on their choices of clothes in the MENA region. For instance, Egyptian women were prevented from accessing public recreational facilities because they do not wear “swimming suits” and instead wear “Islamic Burkinis” that cover the entire body and head. This debate reached courts[10] and there are deliberations whether it is constitutional or not to deny these women access to pools and some beaches. Furthermore, men are expected to “correct and control” women dressing codes.

 In a study by the Oxfam on the Moroccan society in 2019, a majority of 78% of respondents agreed that a husband can force his wife to change her dressing practices[11]. The study found that 64% of men believed that women should wear a modest style of clothes, while only 36% of women agreed with that statement.  The same study also indicated that verbal types of violence against women are not considered worthy of intervention by bystanders, only physical violence is. However, 73% of men considered that they would only intervene if the women’s clothes were respectful. Thus, women who do not adhere with what is “considered” respectful, are not worthy of “patriarchal” protection.

There is a range of emotional, psychological, physical and sexual violence that women in the MENA region are challenged with in their everyday lives and everywhere they are. This violence stems from harmful social norms that justify, excuse, and normalize violence against women based on their dress codes. These norms are challenged by Oxfam’s global Enough! Campaign. The Campaign aims to challenge harmful social norms and replace them with positive norms based on gender justice and women’s empowerment. Enough brings people of all genders, ages, race and background together to transform social normal and challenge the status quo. Activities under the campaign includes social media activities, art, music, animated films, workshops, factsheets, aspirational messages to encourage change and motivate people to think, talk and act to end all violence against women. MENA platform intends to further explore and understand the different aspects of the social norms associated with women dress codes and practices to inform its campaigning and influencing activities. This study terms of reference (ToR) is designed to solicit and commission a quantitative study that shed the light on this understudied phenomenon in the MENA region.

The purpose of commissioning this research project is to contribute to understanding of the different forms of violence and discrimination faced by girls and women in the MENA region and thus to better inform and guide Oxfam’s advocacy activities in the region.

Oxfam’s MENA Regional Platform seeks to hire an individual consultant/ consultancy firm to:  

• Collect personal narratives and stories from women aged 18-34 who experienced violence and discrimination because of their dress codes and practices in the targeted countries focusing on social norms and gender roles expectations that justify violence because of dress codes. Stories are women’s own narratives and reflections of their contexts and need to highlight agency and women’s solidarity.
• A minimum of 10 stories from each country needs to be collected. The method for collecting these stories could be either interviews, solicitation through social media or referral. The women need to agree to share their stories and the researcher is expected to follow all ethical principles of research, ensure consensus and forms or sharing.  
• Analyze these stories for general patterns based on a thematic analysis method.
• Produce a final report with content and analysis which Oxfam can use for its campaigns and influencing work.   
• The researcher is expected to use e a feminist approach to collective qualitative evidence based and not limited to Oxfam feminist principles.

The following are the main research questions. The applicant is expected to suggest sub-questions in their application:

• What are the main patterns of violence based or justified or associated with women and girls dress codes and practices based on selected personal experiences and narratives from 6 MENA countries?
• How did the violence related to dress codes and practices affect the lives of interviewed women and girls?
• How did women and girls react to the such violence? What are the main ways they use to cope and overcome?
• What are the similarities and differences in the six countries?

The targeted population are women and girls (age 18-35) of diverse backgrounds, ages, level of education, geographical locations, socio-economic backgrounds, and professions in Egypt Iraq Jordan Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia. 

Expected deliverables include

• An inception report: The inception report should be a short description on how the researcher intends to carry out the research task. Description for method of narrative collection should be provided.  
• Final research report that contains an executive summary of the main findings, methodological approach, and conclusions. All material collected should be annexed to this report. Material collected in colloquial Arabic must be accompanied with an explanation/interpretation in Standard Modern Arabic.  Final report should be submitted in English. 

Detailed guidelines for the inception and final reports will be provided upon contracting.

Interested applicants are expected to have the following skills and competencies:

• Academic credentials in social science, development studies, communication studies or any related field
• Proven record of conducting qualitative research on women and girls’ rights, violence against women and girls, and social norms and perceptions.
• Sound knowledge of the context in the 6 countries and the languages used in these countries
• Good connections and networks with feminist and women rights organizations in the 6 countries.
• Ability to adapt data collection methodologies to situations related to COVID-19 without jeopardizing the health and safety of researchers or survey population.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest letter which include:

1. A cover letter of introduction for the consultant(s) or firm. 
2. Technical offer including how the applicant would tackle the research in terms of approach and methodology, number of days, time frame and action plan, daily rates, research team size and expertise (if applicable) and any other logistic or ethical consideration.
3. Financial offer that includes a detailed budget.
4. Two examples of previous published similar work.

Selection Criteria:

Oxfam’s MENA platform expects to receive clear and solid technical and financial proposals. 70% of the weight will be given to the technical proposal and 30% will be given to the financial proposal.

The applicant must score minimum of 50% in the technical evaluation to be eligible for financial evaluation. 

Submission Process:

how to apply

• Interested candidates (individuals or companies) should send the comprehensive proposal describing /articulating the work requirements outlined in this ToR to :

[email protected]

•  The proposal should include 2 (two) Separate documents:
• a) Technical Proposal 
• b) Financial proposal

Your financial and technical proposal should be valid for 90 days

Financial proposal :Financial offer must  include all costs, in Jordanian Dinars (JOD), inclusive 5% income tax for Jordanians, and 10 % income tax for internationals

This TOR , attached RFQ  and any related Documents should be officially stamped and signed .

submission and clarification process

Interested candidates should submit their Technical & Financial Proposals  separately to the below mentioned email, indicating the subject: Women’s Dress Codes and Gender Based Violence” RFQ-MENRP-21-0010 [Deadline: October 24^h, 2021- 17:00 PM Amman time]: ([email protected])