Introduction

Achieving true gender equity in the workplace is no longer just a matter of compliance or corporate social responsibility; it is a strategic imperative for innovation, talent retention, and sustained organizational success. Despite increasing awareness, many workplaces continue to grapple with persistent challenges such as gender pay gaps, underrepresentation of women in leadership, unconscious bias in hiring and promotion, and insufficient support for work-life balance. Moving beyond mere equality, which treats everyone the same, gender equity recognizes that different individuals may require different support and opportunities to achieve truly fair outcomes. By actively dismantling systemic barriers and fostering inclusive cultures, organizations can unlock the full potential of their diverse workforce and create environments where every employee can thrive. This essential training course focuses on Gender Equity in the Workplace, equipping participants to champion fairness and drive organizational transformation.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip HR professionals, managers, diversity and inclusion specialists, and organizational leaders with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to implement and sustain gender equity in the workplace. Participants will delve into the root causes of workplace gender disparities, learn to identify and address unconscious biases, and explore strategies for creating policies and practices that promote fairness and inclusion. The course will cover topics such as equitable recruitment and promotion, gender-inclusive leadership, work-life integration, combating harassment and discrimination, and measuring progress towards gender equity. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Gender Equity in the Workplace, participants will be empowered to lead cultural change, attract and retain top talent, and build high-performing, equitable organizations.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Human Resources Professionals
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practitioners
• Managers and Team Leaders
• Senior Executives and Organizational Leaders
• Organizational Development Specialists
• Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Specialists
• Employee Relations Professionals
• Legal Counsel and Compliance Officers
• Union Representatives
• Consultants focused on Workplace Culture and Gender

Course Objectives

• Understand the core concepts of gender equality, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Identify common gender disparities and biases prevalent in organizational settings.
• Learn to conduct a gender audit of workplace policies and practices.
• Develop strategies for equitable recruitment, hiring, and promotion processes.
• Acquire skills in fostering gender-inclusive leadership and management styles.
• Comprehend the importance of work-life integration and flexible work arrangements.
• Explore effective approaches to preventing and responding to workplace harassment and discrimination.
• Understand how to measure and report on gender equity progress.
• Examine global best practices and successful case studies of gender-equitable workplaces.
• Develop a practical action plan for advancing gender equity within their organization.
• Enhance advocacy and communication skills for cultural change and inclusion.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Gender Equity in the Workplace

• Defining gender equality, gender equity, and workplace inclusion.
• The business case for gender equity: innovation, productivity, talent retention.
• Current global and industry trends in workplace gender disparities.
• Understanding systemic vs. individual discrimination.
• The role of organizational culture in promoting or hindering gender equity.

Module 2: Unconscious Bias and its Impact on Workplace Equity

• What is unconscious bias? Types of biases affecting gender (e.g., affinity bias, performance bias).
• How unconscious bias impacts recruitment, performance reviews, promotions, and pay.
• Tools and strategies for recognizing and mitigating unconscious bias.
• Bias training effectiveness and best practices.
• Creating awareness and fostering self-correction.

Module 3: Equitable Recruitment, Hiring, and Promotion

• Reviewing job descriptions for gender-neutral language.
• Structured interviewing techniques and diverse interview panels.
• Blind resume reviews and objective assessment methods.
• Strategies for attracting diverse candidate pools.
• Ensuring transparency and fairness in promotion processes.

Module 4: Gender-Inclusive Leadership and Management

• Characteristics of gender-inclusive leadership.
• Empowering women and diverse gender identities in leadership roles.
• Mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching for women's career progression.
• Fostering psychological safety and inclusive team dynamics.
• Challenging traditional leadership stereotypes.

Module 5: Addressing Gender Pay Gaps and Compensation Equity

• Understanding the causes of the gender pay gap (e.g., occupational segregation, negotiation gaps).
• Conducting pay equity audits and analyses.
• Implementing transparent compensation policies and structures.
• Strategies for fair salary negotiations for all genders.
• Legal frameworks and regulations on equal pay.

Module 6: Work-Life Integration and Flexible Work Arrangements

• The importance of work-life balance for all employees.
• Implementing effective flexible work policies (e.g., remote work, flextime, compressed workweeks).
• Supporting parental leave and re-entry programs.
• Addressing the "maternal wall" and "daddy penalty."
• Creating a culture that values flexibility and well-being.

Module 7: Preventing and Responding to Workplace Harassment and Discrimination

• Defining harassment (sexual, gender-based, bullying) and discrimination.
• Legal frameworks and organizational policies for prevention.
• Effective reporting mechanisms and investigation procedures.
• Creating a culture of respect and zero tolerance.
• Support systems for survivors and restorative justice approaches.

Module 8: Measuring and Reporting on Gender Equity Progress

• Identifying key gender equity metrics and indicators.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on gender-disaggregated data.
• Conducting regular gender equity audits and assessments.
• Benchmarking against industry standards and best practices.
• Communicating progress and challenges transparently.

Module 9: Sustaining Gender Equity and Driving Cultural Change

• Developing a comprehensive gender equity strategy and action plan.
• Engaging male allies and senior leadership as champions.
• Fostering an inclusive culture through training, communication, and recognition.
• Addressing resistance to change and managing difficult conversations.
• Continuous learning and adaptation for long-term gender equity success.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training