Urban municipality of Toamasina

Toamasina is the capital of the Atsinanana region. The Urban Commune of Toamasina is the economic capital of Madagascar's east coast. It is located on the Indian Ocean and is part of a coastal plain area with an altitude of 10 meters. The city covers a total area of 28 km² of occupied land. 

The region is rainy (250 days a year) with an average rainfall of 3,420 mm/year. The temperature reaches 21°C and the maximum is 26°C. The soils are mostly sandy, although there are also sandy-clay soils.

 The main occupations of the population are trade, transport (truck drivers, bush taxis, motorcycle taxis, rickshaws), and tourism: selling kebabs, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and other items by the sea, organizing everything to satisfy tourists. Some parents even encourage young girls to drop out of school to push them into prostitution. The urban commune of Toamasina has been one of Gender Links' centers of excellence since 2010. Previously, there was no collaboration between women and men, and when people talked about “gender or miralenta,” it was seen as a women's issue.

Gender issues were only taken into account during various celebrations, and men dominated decision-making structures. Survivors of violence have no point of reference, there are no support structures, and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), who are generally women, are unaware of their rights.

Since the municipality became a center of excellence for gender integration, equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes, respect for human rights, and equality in terms of pay and working hours have been observed. The municipality's gender mainstreaming objectives focus on increasing the participation of women in decision-making positions, promoting gender equality and combating violence, ensuring equality in education, and equal rights in terms of building permits.

Awareness-raising and the mobilization of GL teams during the implementation of the COE in the urban municipality of Toamasina prompted officials to integrate a gender approach into municipal policy. The municipality was also aware that women make up 52% of the population and that their participation in political and public life is essential. For the municipality, gender mainstreaming is important insofar as it has enabled it to design gender-sensitive activities, set up a gender committee, and establish a CECJ (listening and legal advice center). Gender mainstreaming has improved relations between the municipality and its citizens. Gender mainstreaming is very important because it has helped the population understand that girls and boys have the same opportunities to pursue and continue their education.

The center of excellence process changed the situation in the municipality because it enabled the inclusion of a social section for gender promotion in the municipal budget. A counseling structure, social section, was set up within the municipal building to provide guidance to survivors of gender-based violence. The effective participation of municipal officials in the center of excellence process has brought about many changes in the following areas: representation and participation of women in municipal administration: there has been an increase in the representation of women in the management of municipal affairs. 

Women's practical and strategic needs have been taken into account in the municipality's action plan (construction of street lighting, development of public markets, water fountains, latrine operation). The municipality has been able to develop certain programs to support and accompany the process of women's empowerment. The community has been able to mobilize and raise awareness among Fokontany members about the importance of women's participation and the gender approach. The community stands out from others thanks to the municipality's designation as a center of excellence, promoting the effective participation of women and men in the development process.

Despite the municipality's efforts to promote gender equality and combat violence, several factors continue to hinder the initiatives undertaken. Among the most important factors are social barriers and social gender norms, and the municipality does not have a system in place to sustain achievements such as infrastructure that meets the needs of women and men. It can also be said that women themselves are barriers: they are so vulnerable that they accept anything in order to have money. To improve the performance of this municipality, it is necessary to continue strengthening the community's capacity in gender issues.