Introduction

In times of crisis – whether natural disasters, armed conflicts, or public health emergencies – existing societal inequalities are profoundly exacerbated, with devastating and distinct impacts on women, girls, men, and gender-diverse individuals. Traditional crisis responses often adopt a gender-neutral approach, inadvertently overlooking the specific vulnerabilities, needs, and capacities of diverse groups, leading to ineffective aid, heightened protection risks, and the perpetuation of harm. A truly effective and ethical crisis response demands a gender-transformative lens, one that systematically analyzes how gender shapes experiences in emergencies, identifies differential risks (such as heightened gender-based violence), and ensures that all interventions are designed to be equitable, inclusive, and empowering for everyone affected. This essential training course focuses on Crisis Response with a Gender Lens, equipping participants to deliver aid that is both impactful and equitable.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip humanitarian actors, emergency responders, government officials, development practitioners, and civil society organizations with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to integrate a gender perspective across all phases of crisis response. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the gendered impacts of emergencies, learn to conduct rapid gender analyses in dynamic contexts, and explore strategies for designing and implementing gender-sensitive and gender-transformative interventions. The course will delve into topics such as gender-based violence prevention and response in emergencies, women's leadership in crisis, gender-inclusive needs assessments, dignified aid distribution, and accountability to affected populations with a gender lens. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Crisis Response with a Gender Lens, participants will be empowered to contribute to more effective, equitable, and dignified humanitarian responses that truly leave no one behind.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Humanitarian Aid Workers
• Emergency Response Personnel
• Disaster Management Officials
• Gender Equality Specialists in Humanitarian Contexts
• Protection Officers (GBV, Child Protection)
• Program Managers and Coordinators
• Civil Society Organizations involved in crisis response
• Government Officials responsible for emergency preparedness and response
• Donors and Funding Agencies
• Public Health in Emergencies Professionals

Course Objectives

• Understand the gendered impacts of various types of crises on diverse populations.
• Comprehend the ethical and accountability frameworks for gender in humanitarian action.
• Learn to conduct rapid gender analysis in fast-evolving emergency situations.
• Develop strategies for integrating gender considerations across all humanitarian sectors (WASH, Shelter, Food Security, Health, Protection).
• Acquire skills in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) in emergency settings.
• Explore approaches to promote women's leadership and meaningful participation in crisis response.
• Understand the importance of sex and age disaggregated data (SADD) and intersectional analysis for response planning.
• Identify challenges and best practices in ensuring dignified and equitable aid distribution.
• Examine case studies and real-world examples of gender-responsive crisis interventions.
• Develop a practical action plan for integrating a gender lens into their crisis response work.
• Enhance advocacy skills for gender-just humanitarian principles and practices.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Crisis and Gendered Impacts

• Defining crisis response: types of crises (natural disasters, conflict, epidemics).
• Understanding gender as a critical factor in emergency contexts.
• Why crises are not gender-neutral: differentiated vulnerabilities and capacities.
• The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus with a gender lens.
• Introduction to international humanitarian principles and standards (e.g., Sphere, IASC Guidelines).

Module 2: Rapid Gender Analysis in Emergencies

• Purpose and methodology of rapid gender analysis (RGA) in dynamic crisis settings.
• Tools and techniques for quickly gathering sex and age disaggregated data (SADD).
• Identifying gender roles, responsibilities, and decision-making power in crisis-affected communities.
• Understanding intersectional vulnerabilities in rapid assessments.
• Using RGA findings to inform immediate response planning.

Module 3: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response in Crises

• Understanding GBV as a life-saving issue in emergencies.
• Forms, drivers, and prevalence of GBV in humanitarian settings.
• Survivor-centered principles and minimum standards for GBV programming (e.g., IASC GBV Guidelines).
• Safe identification, referral, and support for GBV survivors.
• Multi-sectoral coordination for GBV response.

Module 4: Gender in Needs Assessment and Program Design

• Ensuring gender-inclusive participation in needs assessments.
• Identifying gender-specific needs across all sectors (e.g., menstrual hygiene, specific health needs, protection from exploitation).
• Designing gender-sensitive objectives and activities for crisis response programs.
• Budgeting for gender-specific interventions and gender mainstreaming.
• Developing gender-responsive logical frameworks for emergency projects.

Module 5: Equitable and Dignified Aid Distribution

• Addressing gendered barriers to accessing aid (e.g., physical safety, mobility constraints, social norms).
• Designing safe and accessible aid distribution points.
• Promoting women's participation in aid distribution and management committees.
• Ensuring gender-appropriate relief items (e.g., dignity kits, specific food items).
• Mitigating risks of exploitation and abuse during aid distribution.

Module 6: Women's Leadership and Participation in Crisis Response

• The importance of women's meaningful participation in all levels of crisis response.
• Empowering local women's organizations and networks as first responders.
• Addressing barriers to women's leadership and decision-making in emergency management.
• Integrating women's local knowledge and experiences into response planning.
• Case studies of women-led humanitarian initiatives.

Module 7: Gender Integration Across Humanitarian Sectors

• Health: Sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for all genders.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene): Safe and accessible facilities, menstrual hygiene management.
• Shelter and NFIs (Non-Food Items): Safe design, privacy, and equitable distribution.
• Food Security and Livelihoods: Gendered access to food, income generation, and market access.
• Education in Emergencies: Protection from SRGBV, continued learning for girls and boys.

Module 8: Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) with a Gender Lens

• Principles of AAP and how gender shapes feedback mechanisms.
• Designing gender-sensitive and accessible complaints and feedback mechanisms.
• Ensuring safe reporting channels for GBV and exploitation.
• Promoting diverse voices in community engagement and consultation.
• Building trust and transparency with all affected community members.

Module 9: Challenges, Innovations, and Future of Gender in Crisis Response

• Overcoming political, logistical, and cultural barriers to gender mainstreaming.
• The role of technology and innovation in gender-responsive crisis response (e.g., digital protection tools).
• Engaging men and boys as allies in gender equality in emergencies.
• Sustaining gender gains in the transition from relief to recovery.
• Advocacy for stronger commitments and resourcing for gender in humanitarian action.

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