Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations Member States, provide a universal blueprint for peace and prosperity, yet their successful achievement hinges critically on the realization of gender equality. While SDG 5 specifically targets gender equality and women's empowerment, it is increasingly recognized that gender is not a standalone issue but a cross-cutting theme essential to the progress of all 17 Goals. From eradicating poverty (SDG 1) and ensuring good health (SDG 3) to combating climate change (SDG 13) and fostering peaceful societies (SDG 16), gender dynamics influence who benefits, who is left behind, and ultimately, whether the ambitious 2030 Agenda can truly transform our world for the better. This essential training course focuses on Gender and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equipping participants to integrate gender across all development efforts.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip development professionals, policymakers, and civil society actors with the knowledge and practical tools to integrate a gender perspective across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants will gain a deep understanding of how gender inequalities impede progress on various SDGs and learn strategies for developing gender-responsive policies, programs, and monitoring frameworks. The course will delve into topics such as gender-disaggregated data, gender-responsive budgeting for the SDGs, women's leadership in SDG implementation, and interlinkages between different gender-related targets across the Agenda. By mastering the principles and methodologies of gender and the SDGs, participants will be empowered to contribute to truly inclusive and transformative development outcomes, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Development Practitioners and Program Managers
• Government Officials (National and Local)
• UN Agency Staff
• Civil Society Organizations and NGOs
• Researchers and Academics in Development Studies
• M&E Specialists
• Policy Analysts
• Social Development Consultants
• Funders and Donors

Course Objectives

• Understand the foundational concepts of gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Analyze the cross-cutting nature of gender across all 17 SDGs.
• Develop skills in conducting gender analysis within the SDG framework.
• Learn to integrate gender considerations into SDG planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Master the use of gender-disaggregated data for SDG monitoring and evaluation.
• Explore strategies for gender-responsive budgeting aligned with SDG targets.
• Understand the role of women's leadership and participation in achieving the SDGs.
• Identify challenges and opportunities for accelerating gender-related SDG progress.
• Examine global best practices and innovative approaches to gender and the SDGs.
• Develop a practical action plan for integrating gender into their SDG-related work.
• Enhance advocacy and communication for gender-transformative SDG implementation.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Gender Equality and the SDGs

• Overview of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs.
• Defining gender equality and women's empowerment in the context of the SDGs.
• SDG 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls – targets and indicators.
• The transformative promise of "leaving no one behind."
• The rationale for integrating gender across all SDGs.

Module 2: The Cross-Cutting Nature of Gender Across SDGs (Part 1)

• SDG 1: No Poverty – gendered dimensions of poverty and social protection.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – gender and food security, nutrition, and agricultural production.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – gender and health access, sexual and reproductive health.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – gender disparities in access, completion, and learning outcomes.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – gendered access, roles in WASH, and hygiene.

Module 3: The Cross-Cutting Nature of Gender Across SDGs (Part 2)

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – gendered energy poverty and access to modern energy.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – gender gaps in labor markets, unpaid care work.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – gender and technology, infrastructure access.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – intersectional inequalities beyond gender.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – gender-inclusive urban planning, safety.

Module 4: The Cross-Cutting Nature of Gender Across SDGs (Part 3)

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – gendered consumption patterns and waste management.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – gender-differentiated impacts and women's leadership in climate.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – gender and marine resource management, coastal communities.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – gender roles in land management, deforestation, biodiversity.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – gender in governance, access to justice, GBV.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – gender in global partnerships and resource mobilization.

Module 5: Gender Analysis for SDG Implementation

• Tools and frameworks for conducting gender analysis within an SDG context.
• Collecting, analyzing, and utilizing gender-disaggregated data for SDG indicators.
• Identifying gender gaps and opportunities for intervention across various SDGs.
• Participatory gender analysis methods involving diverse stakeholders.
• Mapping interlinkages between gender-related targets across different SDGs.

Module 6: Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting for SDGs

• Integrating gender into national and sub-national SDG planning frameworks.
• Principles of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) for SDG financing.
• Tracking gender-responsive expenditures related to SDG targets.
• Mobilizing resources for gender equality within SDG implementation plans.
• Developing gender-sensitive logical frameworks and theories of change for SDG programs.

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting on Gender and SDGs

• Developing gender-sensitive indicators for SDG targets beyond SDG 5.
• Challenges and best practices in collecting reliable gender data for SDGs.
• Using SDG data for evidence-based policymaking on gender equality.
• Strengthening national statistical systems for gender-disaggregated data.
• Reporting mechanisms for gender progress under the SDGs (e.g., VNRs).

Module 8: Women's Leadership, Participation, and Accountability for SDGs

• The crucial role of women's leadership in driving SDG implementation.
• Ensuring meaningful participation of women and gender-diverse groups in SDG processes.
• Strengthening accountability mechanisms for gender equality commitments within the SDGs.
• Role of civil society and feminist movements in holding governments accountable.
• Engaging men and boys as allies for gender-transformative SDG achievement.

Module 9: Accelerating Progress: Challenges and Opportunities

• Addressing persistent barriers to gender equality within the SDG framework.
• Harnessing innovation and technology for gender-responsive SDG acceleration.
• Responding to global crises (e.g., pandemics, conflicts) with a gender and SDG lens.
• Sharing best practices and south-south cooperation for gender-responsive SDGs.
• Crafting a personal/organizational action plan for sustained engagement with Gender and SDGs.

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