Design of the Regional Research Report Consultancy.

Design of the Regional Research Report on

identifying negative social and gender norms and power structures perpetuating Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Asia-Pacific

and addressing them through gender transformative approach

Terms of Reference

I. Introduction

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until adulthood and enable children and young people to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, regional and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 80 years we have been building meaningful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries.

II. Background

Globally around 21% of young women were married before their 18th birthday: 650 million girls and women alive today were married as children. 12 million girls under 18 are married each year. 25 million child marriages have been prevented in the last decade thanks to progress made. South Asia had the largest decline in the prevalence of child marriage during this time, from 49% to 30%. But progress must accelerate or more than 120 million additional girls will marry before their 18th birthday by 2030.1

Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) is a harmful practice, form of gender-based violence and a violation of children’s rights and the rights of girls and women, as well as a fundamental

impediment to human development. In some circumstances, it can also amount to gender- based violence. While boys are also affected by child marriage, it has particularly adverse effects on girls and young women, curtailing their education, social engagement and economic empowerment, violating their sexual and reproductive health and rights, limiting their autonomy and placing them at increased risk of violence. CEFM has serious life-threatening and long-term consequences for girls and women, as well as their communities and societies.2

CEFM is a human rights violation. Despite laws against it, this harmful practice remains widespread. CEFM can lead to a lifetime of suffering. Girls who marry before they turn 18 are less likely to remain in school and more likely to experience domestic violence. Young teenage girls are more likely to die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth than women in their 20s, and their children are more likely to be stillborn or die in the first month of life.3

Gender equality is one of the 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and includes a target 5.3 on eliminating all harmful practices including Child, Early and Forced marriage. Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Hub (hereinafter referred to as Plan International APAC) has identified elimination of CEFM as one of its strategic priority areas for influencing and programming.

III. Implementing a dynamic and holistic approach to ending CEFM in Asia- Pacific: Time to Act!

Plan International’s work preventing, reducing, and eliminating CEFM in Asia-Pacific spans more than a decade and is led by Plan International APAC. While it draws from and supports the Global 18+ framework and related Theory of Change, this work has taken on a distinctive character in Asia-Pacific, utilizing comprehensive programmatic and influencing interventions and processes to effect change. It draws heavily on the knowledge and expertise we have developed over the last 10 plus years.

Plan International APAC’s work on CEFM has evolved into a regional initiative called Time to Act!. The initiative, launched in 2018, builds on a decade of previous CEFM focused interventions. It places a strong emphasis on influencing and youth-led advocacy and activism, while maintaining a firm commitment to evidence-based action and interventions, partnerships, and addressing root causes by tackling harmful gender stereotypes and cultural norms. Time to Act! focuses on four key areas of interventions, which – when combined as part of a holistic strategy – our research and evidence indicates are most effective to increase efforts to end CEFM: continuous education, youth economic empowerment, protection from violence, and knowledge and education on sexual and reproductive health rights and strengthening related services.

2 Child, early and forced marriage – policy brief, Plan International 2020

IV. Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Hub’s evolving CEFM research agenda

Over the past decade, Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Hub (APAC) commissioned a number of important pieces of research on CEFM. The first research, completed in 2014 in partnership with The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), explored the perceptions of different stakeholders about the causes and consequences of CEFM and the efficacy of Plan International programming in addressing these factors in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The second research study, completed in 2015 with Coram Children’s Legal Centre, gathered in-depth and detailed evidence on the root causes of CEFM practices in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. In addition, the research informed the development of an index for measuring factors associated with the acceptability of CEFM (CEFM Acceptability Index), which is used by Plan International to inform programming, track progress and improve the effectiveness of Plan International CEFM interventions.

These research studies informed the development of the Plan International global 18+ Theory of Change (ToC). The ToC states that, to eliminate CEFM, programmes must work at multiple levels to achieve this; with girls to build their capacity and agency, with families and communities to change socio-cultural norms, values and attitudes and with institutions to implement laws, policies and public services.

Two additional pieces of regional research had been commissioned and completed, focusing on consolidating and analysing the most up to date information on the issues relevant to gaps identified in the broader body of CEFM related research. In late 2017, Plan International APAC undertook extensive research on the prevalence of Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The resulting technical report, titled Their Time is Now: Eliminating Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Asia provides comprehensive details on CEFM in Asia and further consolidates evidence that governments, universities, civil society organizations, and Plan International have generated over the past ten to fifteen year. It analyses recent evidence on the prevalence, causes, trends, drivers and impact of CEFM and outlines actions that must be taken to tackle CEFM in Asia and the strong commitment needed from stakeholders at multiple levels. For more detail, please visit: https://plan- international.org/publications/their-time-now-eliminating-child-early-and-forced-marriage

The Time to Act! report (Plan International Asia Regional Hub, 2018) builds on the previous report Their Time is Now, and outlines actions that should be taken to prevent and eliminate CEFM in Asia. The Time to Act! report delves into emerging interventions by different international agencies and CSOs that have high potential to be successful and effective in preventing, reducing and eliminating CEFM, and highlights the factors that might lead to success. It also identifies initiatives and innovative approaches that seem most likely to eliminate CEFM if implemented at scale by governments and other relevant stakeholders in Asia and beyond. Extensive document review and interviews with a range of stakeholders were

conducted in five focus countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Vietnam) to identify promising interventions and key success factors, challenges, opportunities and themes. For more detail, please visit: https://plan-international.org/time-act-accelerating-efforts- eliminate-child-early-and-forced-marriage

As part of a multi-phased research series in the countries of South and South East Asia, youth- led advocacy and activism among the interventions and innovative approaches with a high potential for impact if implemented at scale by governments and other stakeholders. A comparative analysis, building on previous CEFM research studies, was undertaken with a specific focus on different aspects of youth-led activism, advocacy and engagement to eliminate CEFM in Asia. The comparative analysis resulted in Their Time is Now – Time to Act! report (2019). This comparative analysis aims to systematize the information from 10 Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), where young people have been supported by Plan International in preventing, reducing and eliminating CEFM. It also provides an analytical overview of the key enablers and barriers encountered by youth advocates. This comparative analysis report presents key findings on structural and functional aspects of the youth groups engaged in CEFM elimination, while offering a set of practical recommendations for key stakeholders. It is complemented with a Thematic Brief, serving to strengthen and further legitimize youth engagement and activism in ending CEFM across Asia. For more details, please visit: www.civilsocietyasia.org/resources/their-time-is-now-time-to-act-report

The latest research report Time to Act – Let’s Go Digital! on use of digital technologies to end child, early and forced marriage in Asia-Pacific was published in April 2021. The digital platforms and applications allow for the creation of global networks with the ability to interact in real time. They enable access to information and the creation of communities without the requirement of physically being in the same space. They offer users opportunities to empower themselves with information, connections, and access to education, as well as means to exercise their freedom of expression and be active citizens. The research builds on the initial mapping of different digital platforms, tools and technologies in use, while providing an analysis of online solutions specifically applied to CEFM prevention and elimination an those with a high degree of replicability and scalability. The research also addresses gaps in the existing body of knowledge and provide recommendations on additional opportunities to harness benefits of the digital technologies. For more details, please visit:

LET’S GO DIGITAL! Using Digital Technology to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Reduce Adolescent Pregnancy (civilsocietyasia.org)

V. Regional Research Report on identifying negative social and gender norms and power structures perpetuating Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Asia- Pacific and addressing them through gender transformative approach

This research is directly linked to the first dimension of the Plan International global 18+ Theory of Change and related framework, which relates to changing harmful social norms, attitudes, behaviours and relations. Within this pathway of change, it is of crucial importance to empower girls to make their own choices about if, whom, and when they may marry; and to engage men and boys in this work, as well as families, teachers, religious and traditional leaders and civil society organisations. The aim is to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of CEFM and to equip stakeholders with the skills and knowledge required to curb this harmful practice.

The research report draws on the existing body of global evidence and Plan International’s practice and learning in Asia-Pacific focusing on CEFM prevention and elimination. The report addresses gaps in the existing body of knowledge and provides guidance and recommendations to inform efforts to increase quality of programmatic and influencing response to accelerate pace of CEFM prevention and elimination. The literature review and related meta-analysis draws on the resources based on primary data collection.

The report includes:

· in-depth analysis of underlying triggers and root-causes of negative social and gender norms that instigate and perpetuate CEFM across a range of domains in the selected Asia Pacific countries;

· This is complemented with further analysis of manifestation of these negative norms and their interlinkages, and how they fuel unequal power relations resulting in gender-based discrimination and injustice;

· practical diagnostic tools and analytical framework and solutions in preventing and transforming harmful social and gender norms, including through the gender-transformative approach and its key elements;

· a practical tool to capture and measure critical change elements such as shifts in gender norms and empowerment, including changes in the distribution of power and resources, will be developed.

While the primary focus of this research remains on identifying and countering negative social and gender norms, the report gives a special emphasis on the effects these negative social and gender norms have on the situation of married girls. Furthermore, identifying positive and nourishing social norms and traditions that could help inform strategies to counter the harmful norms has been explored and proposed.

VI. Target audiences

There are two key target audiences expected to benefit from this research report and its recommendations:

a) Internally, it will further inform and strengthen Plan International Country Offices strategizing, programming and influencing around transformation of the negative and harmful social and gender norms perpetuating CEFM and addressing them through gender- transformative approach;

b) Externally, it will complement and support any similar efforts by like-minded organizations, and inform the ongoing policy dialogue on measures to accelerate efforts to eliminate CEFM by 2030. Furthermore, it will provide entry points into new partnerships and increased collaboration with a range of sectors and stakeholders.

VII. Main purpose, objectives and deliverables of this consultancy

The main purpose of this consultancy is to produce layout design of this regional research report based on the narrative to be provided by Plan International APAC Regional Hub. The initial step will imply to identify high quality vendor for the Report design;

Objectives:

· to proof-read and edit the final text of the Report;

· to execute design layout of the Report.

The final expected deliverable includes:

1. Edited, proofread Report, for Plan International APAC approval;

2. Final layout design of the Report in .pdf format and in line with the defined parameters.

Key production parameters:

1. The format of the Report: A4

1. Estimated number of pages: 50 (subject to the final layout)

2. Timeline: designed Report .pdf version to be delivered by 25 June 2022 (or earlier, if feasible)

3. Photographs, media and branding guidelines will be provided by Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Hub Communications Team

The project will be co-managed by Regional Head of Child Protection and Partnerships (focal point for content related communications) and Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Communications Team.

VIII. Table of Deliverables

Deliverables / Format / Length / Due

1. An edited, proofread Report layout, for the Plan International APAC approval / Word / Maximum 50 pages / By 10 June 2022.

2. Final .pdf version of the layout design of the Report in line with the defined parameters / .pdf /Maximum 50 pages / By 25 June 2022.

X. Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Criteria for the selection of the vendor:

· Proven technical abilities, capacities and facilities to execute the tasks specified in this ToR;

· At least 10 years of experience and successful track record in design, printing and related jobs;

· Previous successful engagement with Plan International APAC is an advantage.

Indicative budget: to be submitted by the interested candidates in USD.

X. Evaluation criteria

Candidates will be evaluated against the following criteria:

Criteria / Weight

• Proven technical abilities, capacities and facilities to execute the tasks specified in this ToR; / 35%

• At least 10 years of experience and successful track record in design, printing and related jobs / 20%

• Previous successful engagement with Plan International is an advantage. / 10%

• Financial proposal / 35%

Total 100%