TOR – FORMATIVE FEMINIST RESEARCH ON SOCIAL NORMS AROUND PAID AND UNPAID CARE INFRASTRUCTURE

1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Oxfam is an international confederation of 21 organizations working in over 60 countries worldwide seeking to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice around the world. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the world, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partners, public and private sector institutions alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty and inequality.

Oxfam has been active in Kenya since 1963 and has worked with partners in long-term development and humanitarian programs and has actively engaged in advocacy and influencing. for better governance and equitable access to public services. Read more about Oxfam from https://kenya.oxfam.org/

Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) and Paid Domestic Work (PDW) form an essential part of societal well-being. Unpaid, informal, and domestic work is the backbone of many economies. Although excluded from formal GDP calculations, the ILO (2018) estimates the value of UCDW to be as much as 9% of global GDP (USD 11 trillion), Such work involves both direct care tasks, such as caring for children, the elderly, and people with physical or mental impairments, as well as domestic tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and other household duties (ILO, 2018; Oxfam, 2020). Yet, the profound importance of care work is frequently underestimated as it remains largely unseen and undervalued, and frequently dismissed by policymakers as a private family concern. In addition, Social and cultural norms, in particular, continue to reinforce gender- based assumptions about unpaid care work (Cantillon & Teasdale, 2021). As a result, women and girls often shoulder the majority of care work, frequently assuming these duties far more than men do. The narratives and mental models we embrace concerning UCDW and PDW partly explain why these essential activities frequently fall on women and why society often undervalues PDW. Although these narratives are rooted deeply in social and gender norms, making them challenging to dismantle, several communication approaches have proven effective at shifting societies’ knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of UCDW and PDW.

Oxfam In Kenya with the support of Oxfam Canada and with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), is implementing the Time To Care (TTC) project, a gender-transformative project with the Ultimate Outcome of improving gender equality and care infrastructure for women and girls (hereinafter referred to as the people we work with) in Kenya. The project which is being implemented in partnership with Youth Alive Kenya (YAK) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), recognizes that the people we work with experience the intersectional nature of barriers to improving gender equality and the care infrastructure. In addition to discrimination based on gender, the people we work with as part of this project may experience discrimination on the basis of any number of identities, including ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, or disability. As a result, TTC will take an intersectional approach to all activities, considering the varied realities of the people the project will work with.

The project has a two-pillar strategy representing two Intermediate Outcomes: –

1. Increased adoption of gender-equitable social norms in support of women and girls in

Kenya’s care Infrastructure.

1. Increased implementation of gender-transformative legislation, policies, and practices by duty bearers in support of care infrastructure in Kenya for women and girls.

2. To ensure evidence-based programming to influence both policy and practice related to Care Work, the project is seeking to undertake a formative feminist research on Social Norms around Paid And Unpaid Care work and infrastructure with a specific focus on under-age girls (below 18 years) elderly women (65 years and above) and the intersectionality of gender identity and paid care and domestic work.

   AUDIENCE AND USE

   The research findings will be used by Oxfam to inform strategies that will be used to deliver on the TTC project in relation to counter harmful and retrogressive narratives and practices towards the engagement of under 18-year-olds, elderly women and the LGBTQIA+ community workers in care work in order to shift the narratives. The findings will also be used to engage key stakeholders working within the care sector and the public to shift their retrogressive attitudes, perceptions, beliefs and practices on Care work, to more progressive and gender transformative ones.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the formative feminist research is to generate evidence that will be used to inform the delivery of the TTC project and the engagement of key stakeholders on Care work and the impact it has on under-age girls, elderly women and the domestic workers both migrant and those within the LGBTQI+community ; with the aim of influencing change in retrogressive care policies and practices, thereby contributing to the achievement of gender equality. The specific objectives are: –

1. Understanding the social norms of young girls (under 18) and the elderly (over 65 years) engaging in UCDW and the impacts on their needs and interests.
2. Understanding the intersectionality of LGBTQI+ community and domestic work and challenges faced by paid domestic care workers.
3. Understanding the impact of being a migrant worker within the care work sector and challenges faced by migrant domestic workers.
4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions identified below will provide the structure and ground the analysis of the final report of this research.

RQ.1

What are the factors that encourage the engagement of under-age girls and elderly women in paid and unpaid care and domestic work? In addressing this question, the research asks, whatstructural social, cultural and economic issuesfacilitate or make itacceptable to engage under-age girls and elderly women in paid and unpaid care and domestic work? What are the existing perceptions and attitudes towards the engagement of under-age girls and elderly women in Unpaid and Paid Care and Domestic Work? What is the position communicated in policies and legislation if any, on the engagement of underage girls and elderly women in paid and unpaid care and domestic work?

RQ.2

What is the prevalence of the practice of engaging underage girls and elderly women in paid and unpaid care and domestic work in Kenya? In addressing this question, the research will look at existing statistics and engage with institutions that work towards child protection and the elderly. The number of hours the elderly spend on care work and the type of care work. What initiatives (past and current) have been undertaken to?? Are girls from any particular racial/ethnic/religious communities/regions or with particular identities more vulnerable to domestic trafficking?

RQ.3

**What impact does engaging under-age girls and elderlywomen in paid and unpaid care work haveon their lives?**This includes examining both negative and positive social and economic development impacts and how these contribute to the perpetuation of the practice; how this affects the interests, choices and decisions that underage girls make on their lives and prevention, response and mitigation initiatives (past and current) that have been undertaken to address this.

RQ.4

What are the existing narratives towards domestic workers that identify as the LGBTQIA+.? This will include the examination of existing perceptions, attitudes and norms on care and domestic workers that identify as LGBTQI+ and what shapes these narratives.

RQ.5

What is the impact of identifying as LGBTQI+ as a domestic worker within the care sector? This will include the examination of social, economic and political threats and issues that affect care and domestic workers that identify as LGBTQI+,- first-hand account of their lived experiences-available data if any on the LGBTQIA+ community care and domestic workers and the how existing policies and legislation address the issue of gender identity and care work; and prevention, mitigation and response initiatives (both past and existing) undertaken to advocate for equality within the care sector with a gender lens. The question should also examine the policy horizon for LGBTQIA+ groups overall to enable the project to prepare for and build strong movements in the face of potential social and political resistance.

RQ.6

What are the existing narratives and practices towards migrant domestic workers? This will include the examination of existing perceptions, attitudes and norms on migrant domestic workers and what informs these narratives and practices. The impact of being a migrant worker within the care sector. The threats and opportunities that exist for the workers and the sector as whole.

FRAMEWORK AND APPROACH

This research is commissioned to address an existing information gap in the country that was realized at the time of the design of the Time to Care project, whose ultimate outcome is on improving gender equality and care infrastructure for women and girls in Kenya. Whereas Oxfam has invested in a lot of evidence on care work, there hasn’t been a specific focus on the impact of LGBTQIA+ dimensions of social norms on paid and unpaid care. In order to achieve the ultimate outcome, the project needs contextual information and evidence on this, to define strategies that will be used to influence both policy and practice on care work in relation to the target group. The Research will build on existing resources on care work by Oxfam and other stakeholders to contribute to the analysis of this research.

This research report will take a two-tiered approach in addressing the three objectives that focus on under-age girls, elderly women, migrant domestic workers and LGBTQI+ individuals within the care sector. First tier will take a systems perspective on unpacking practice and Policy. It will examine and outline the existing narratives in Kenya on engaging under-age girls, elderly women, migrant workers and LGBTQI+ individuals on both paid and unpaid care work, the perceptions, behaviours, beliefs, norms and practices that propagate these narratives and the impact this has on them To ground the narratives, the research will identify relevant policies, legislation and initiatives on care work and how enabling or disenabling they are in propagating the existing narratives and to what extent they contribute towards the realization of the rights of under-age girls, elderly women, migrant workers and domestic workers who identify as LGBTQI+. The analysis will draw on international and community level initiatives, civil society initiatives, private sector (i.e., large employers) demands or initiatives (when relevant) and the policies of sub-regional governments.

Second, the research will examine past and existing efforts that have or are being undertaken to address any emerging issues and how effective they have been/are; and what needs to be done to influence both policy and practice to ensure that under-age girls, elderly women and LGBTQI+ individuals enjoy their rights and achieve their full potential. The focus here is to find potential leverage points for TTC in order to be more strategic in its programming.

The research questions identified in this ToR will inform the research however this will be refined further jointly with the consultant (s) when the research is commissioned to ensure it responds to the needs and priorities of the country programme and donor in implementation of the Time to Care Project.

GENDER

Gender and intersectional feminist approaches are central to this research to understand inequality in the context of care given the unequal gendered distribution of care work with women, girls, and underserved groups doing the majority of unpaid and paid care work; and the discrimination that is meted on people wo are non-binary. These approaches aim to understand how multiple forces work together and interact to reinforce conditions of inequality and social exclusion.

It is important to note that Oxfam views and understands gender as a spectrum and not a binary. That being said, a focus on women and girls in relation to care and care infrastructure might be more predominant within the research given the central role women and girls currently play in care related work. The research will seek to incorporate the perspectives of existing social movements and initiatives that address care from a gender nonbinary perspective where possible.

We acknowledge the limitations of this approach and the limitations that the research has to contend with given that mainstream policymaking, investments and initiatives related to care work often assume a binary gender identity.
RESEARCH METHODS

The main methodological approach will be participatory and will include literature reviews, policy analysis and primary data collection based in qualitative research methods. It is important to note that Oxfam in Kenya has conducted and produced care related research that will serve as a reference and contribute to the research.

Sources of the literature and policy reviews may include, national and local government laws, policies, guidelines, Oxfam reports including, National Time Use Surveys, the We-Care Rapid Analysis, and the Household Survey, Care Policy Score Card, Shifting Narratives to value unpaid care and informal work research report, media and other reports.

In addition, where relevant, research will draw on secondary quantitative data on labour force indicators and Gender Based Violence prevalence data.

Qualitative primary data collection will include conducting Key Informant interviews and Focus Groups Discussions. Interviewees will include underage, migrant, elderly women paid and unpaid care workers with diverse identities and backgrounds, national and local government officials, community and civil society leaders, and private sector actors, Women Rights Organizations that work with the LGBTQI+ community and children, social movements and Human Rights Defenders.

Due to the sensitivity of the target group including children, the research will undertake a risk analysis and apply the “Do No Harm” approach to the aforementioned approaches for primary data collection to ensure the protection and safety of the respondents and to ensure that the research is not seen in any way to condone child labour. The research is expected to employ multi-pronged, multi-dimensional analyses that centres policy analyses on the lives of those marginalized.

RESEARCH PRODUCTS/DELIVERABLES

The primary research product will be a research report. Spin-off products from the research will include popular briefs, infographics and visual products that will facilitate the dissemination of the findings of the research.

TIMELINES

ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS

DATE DUE

Start research process – February 2025

First draft of Research Report – end of February 2025

Final Draft Submitted – 15th March 2025

All raw data (quantitative data file, transcripts from In-depth Interviews, FGDsetc) should be submitted to Oxfam in Kenya Offices in Nairobi for reference and future use – March 2025

Summary of Key findings in the form of Data Infographics format or in a format agreed upon by the consulting team to be used as a quick and engaging way of key findings – March 2025

DOCUMENTATION

The written report will be:

• Produced in English language and using accessible and concise language.

• The report format and text shall be in A4 paper size and a legible Arial 12 font size.

• The report should not exceed more than 40 pages. (excluding references and annexes).

  RESEARCH ETHICS

  The Secondary Data collection of the research should pose no ethical or security risks. The use of primary data s will always carry some risk. To mitigate these risks, consultants will be asked to comply to Oxfam’s non-staff code of conduct guidelines and protocols as well as safeguarding protocols. All interview subjects will be provided with informed consent forms and will have the right to stop the interview at any point. When relevant, research teams will assess and mitigate risks involving interviews with underserved, marginalized, or vulnerable populations.

  RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

  The overall supervisors of this assignment will be Oxfam’s Gender Justice and Women Rights programme team with support from the M.E.A.L Advisor

  TAX AND VAT ARRANGEMENTS

  Oxfam in Kenya will deduct withholding tax from the consultancy fees which will be in conformity with the prevailing government rates and submit the same to the Government of Kenya. The consultant will be entitled to a copy of the tax submission certificate on request.

  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

  All documents, data and information accessed will be treated as confidential and used solely to create visibility for the project and should follow the GDPR regulation on data control and storage. All the required documents and deliverables in their draft and final versions shall be submitted to Oxfam in Kenya within agreed timelines and shall remain the explicit property of the organisation.

  BID REQUIREMENTS

• Interested and qualified consultants are invited to submit their expressions of interest, which should include the following:

• A suitability statement, including commitment to availability for the entire assignment.

• Information demonstrating specific experience of the consultant relevant to the assignment including the scope and scale of similar assignments. Please provide details of similar assignment undertaken.

• A detailed financial proposal showing a clear breakdown of the costs including all the chargeable taxes.

• Sample similar works done in the recent past.

  PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANCY FIRM

• The consultancy can include different team members. Key competencies of the team include:

• Strong experience designing and leading research pieces particularly focusing on the Care Economy.

• Experience utilizing feminist MEAL principles and practices.

• Ability to facilitate and relate to stakeholders at multiple levels and in diverse contexts Including experience working with the LGBTQI+ community.

• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive policy analysis.

• Proven ability to engage in qualitative data analysis.

• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English

• Strong analytical, communication and report writing skills.

• Good spoken and written communication skills in Kiswahili and English.

• Proven experience of using participatory methods for data collection and analysis in programme evaluation.

• Sensitivity to cultural and historical contexts in the data collection and analysis process.

  ADHERENCE TO OXFAM PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

  Once hired, the consultant(s) shall operate under the principles governing Oxfam ways of working including adherence to policies and procedures of Oxfam with regards to such key issues as non-partisan, neutrality, gender sensitivity, impartiality and accountability, mainstreaming of Gender and safeguarding as well as other policies governing Oxfam operations on transport usage, security guidelines and confidentiality of information collected.

How to apply

Oxfam Kenya invites individuals who meet the criteria to submit Expression of Interest that clearly articulates the consultant(s} understanding of the terms of reference, methodology for executing the work including key deliverables and tentative budget should and clearly indicate,” a consultancy to undertake a Formative Feminist Research on Social Norms Around Paid and Unpaid Care Infrastructure in Kenya. Expression of Interest shall be sent to kpconsultancyservices@oxfam.org.uk, no later than close of business on 16th January 2 0 2 5. Only applicants who qualify will be contacted.