Date: March 12, 2012

Announcement

Request for Quotation: Researcher

The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) announces its need to contract with a researcher to conduct research on early marriage and divorce among young women, focusing on its causes and consequences. This research is part of the project “Early Marriage and Divorce Among Young Women: Causes and Consequences,” implemented by the Center with funding from the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

The project aims to reduce legal and social discrimination against women, increase young women’s access to justice, and promote their rights and choices.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• Conducting a research study to shed light on a growing social phenomenon in the Gaza Strip: the increasing rate of divorce among young women, particularly before consummation of marriage.
• Implementing a national campaign aimed at amending the Personal Status Law regarding the conditions of engagement and marriage.

Study Terms of Reference:

1. Justifications:
   

   The number of young women who have filed complaints with the Legal Counseling Unit at The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) has increased. We have noted that the majority of these complaints involve suffering and injustice at the hands of their husbands, as well as the denial of their legally guaranteed rights. This phenomenon is also evident in the suffering of young women even before the marriage is officially consummated, during what is called the engagement period. Officially, the engagement period is considered a legal marriage, with the same legal consequences as a consummated marriage.

   The divorce rate in the Gaza Strip constitutes 17.1% of the marriage rate (Sharia Court statistics), an increase of 6% compared to 2010. Young divorcees, especially before consummation, constitute 42% of all divorce cases. This is a significant percentage in the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing tragic conditions.

   Numerous studies have addressed violence against women, including divorce in general. The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) pioneered the first study of its kind on “The Reality and Needs of Divorced Women in the Gaza Strip” in 2009. However, no study has previously been conducted in the Gaza Strip that addresses the causes of divorce among young women, especially before consummation, and its impact on the lives of young divorced women.

   The planned study will address this problem in an attempt to identify the main factors leading to divorce for young women, especially before consummation. It will also explore the extent of this phenomenon, the degree of suffering experienced by young divorced women, and the extent to which the Personal Status Law and the procedures applied in Sharia courts contribute to the continuation of this phenomenon.

   In this context, The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) is interested in completing its research activity to produce a study, the first of its kind, entitled “Early Marriage and Divorce Among Young Women: Causes and Consequences” to provide further information to decision-makers in order to promote gender equality and women’s rights. It also aims to implement activities based on the findings, to strengthen data for the completion of a national campaign to develop and improve advocacy for women to protect them from legal violence, in order to support the campaign against violence and discrimination against women, and promote effective discussion with decision-makers and relevant institutions.

2. Study Objectives:
   

   1. To comprehensively identify the phenomenon of early marriage and divorce among young women in the Gaza Strip, including its causes and consequences.
   2. To identify the factors affecting women’s rights and the extent of their awareness of their legal rights, thereby providing them with protection against violations and infringements of those rights.
   3. To contribute to defining strategies for governmental and non-governmental organizations to work on addressing this phenomenon and finding sound solutions to reduce it at the legal and social levels.
   4. To propose necessary interventions based on the findings.

3. Study Population:
   

   • Young divorced women in the Gaza Strip, whether before or after consummation of marriage, aged 15-36 years.
   • The study population is defined as the entire Gaza Strip as a geographical boundary for selecting the study sample.
   • The time frame is from the beginning of 2007, encompassing all young divorced women.

4. Research Methodology:
   

   The researcher is required to:

   • Follow a methodology of verification and scrutiny, using more than one research tool, both quantitative and qualitative, to answer the research questions.
   • Promote the active participation of all relevant parties in the research issue.

5. Research Report:
   

   • The researcher is expected to submit a research report of a minimum of (50) pages, using font size 12.
   • The research report should include the results of statistical analysis and the researcher’s analysis.

6. Researcher’s Tasks:
   

   1. Train the research team on data collection tools.
   2. Train the research team on how to fill out the form, if any, in a way that ensures the validity of the results.
   3. Submit the research report no later than June 30, 2012.
   4. Provide all relevant documents and records related to the research.
   5. Keep the Center informed of the research implementation steps on an ongoing basis.
   6. The researcher is responsible for any inquiries from the Center regarding the research.
   7. Provide a summary of the research, preferably in both Arabic and English.
   8. Present the research findings in a workshop dedicated by the Center for this purpose.
   9. Printing the research report is the responsibility of the Center.

7. Application Requirements:
   

   The researcher submitting the quotation must:

   1. Hold a university degree (Bachelor’s) as a minimum in one of the humanities.
   2. Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) showing previous experience in research work skills.
   3. Submit a detailed research plan.
   4. Submit a detailed financial offer including the full costs of conducting the research, excluding printing costs.
   5. Submit the offer in a sealed envelope to the headquarters of The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) no later than Thursday, March 22, 2012.