The 7 associations selected as part of the “Axis 1 Strengthening the capacities of actors working for gender equality” lead research activities and multi-actor consultation on the main issues of the political agenda on gender equality. In 2015, the activities take place in Oran (Algeria), Giza (Egypt), Irbid (Jordan), Mount Lebanon (Lebanon), Marrakech -Tensift- Al Haouz (Morocco), West Bank (Palestine), Sousse, Monastir (Tunisia) and they focus on the political participation of women and combating violence against women.

Through data collection and dissemination of successful practices, the Axis 1 promotes synergies between civil society, local and regional authorities, media, universities and companies working for equality. Theses analysis and debates will give useful guidelines to field projects in order to advance political participation of women and to strengthen the fight against sexual violence. Furthermore, recommendations will be forwarded to national and Euro-Mediterranean policy makers.

The Axis 1 "Strengthening the capacities of actors working for gender equality", of the project Women for the future in the Mediterranean, funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the project “Developing Women’s Empowerment”, labelled by the Union for the Mediterranean. The Axis 1 is supported by the European Institute of the Mediterranean, in partnership with the Centre of Arab Women for Training and Research, the French government through the Inter-ministerial Delegation for the Mediterranean, the Réseau Universitaire et Scientifique Euro-Méditerranéen sur le Genre et les femmes, the Fédération de la Ligue Démocratique des Droits des Femmes, the Forum Femmes Méditerranée, within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Women’s Foundation.