Introduction

In contexts marked by conflict, disaster, systemic discrimination, or widespread gender-based violence (GBV), individuals often carry the profound and multifaceted impacts of trauma. Traditional gender equality programs, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently re-traumatize participants or overlook the deeply ingrained effects of past experiences if they are not explicitly trauma-informed. A trauma-informed approach recognizes the widespread impact of trauma, understands potential paths for recovery, and integrates this knowledge into policies, procedures, and practices. By prioritizing safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity, gender programs can create environments that foster healing and resilience, ensuring that interventions are not only effective in addressing gender inequalities but also sensitive to the lived experiences of those they aim to serve. This essential training course focuses on Trauma-Informed Gender Programming, equipping participants to design and implement truly healing and empowering interventions.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip humanitarian and development practitioners, gender specialists, social workers, mental health professionals, policymakers, and civil society actors with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to integrate a trauma-informed lens into gender programming. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the nature and impact of trauma, particularly its gendered dimensions, and learn how to apply trauma-informed principles across all stages of program design, implementation, and evaluation. The course will delve into topics such as the neurobiology of trauma, creating safe spaces, promoting resilience, preventing re-traumatization, ethical considerations in working with survivors, and organizational self-care. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Trauma-Informed Gender Programming, participants will be empowered to design interventions that are not only effective in achieving gender equality but also deeply compassionate, fostering healing and sustainable well-being for all individuals.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Humanitarian and Development Professionals
• Gender Equality Specialists
• Protection Specialists (GBV, Child Protection)
• Social Workers and Case Managers
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Practitioners
• Program Managers and Coordinators
• Civil Society Organizations working in conflict-affected or crisis contexts
• Policy Makers in Social Welfare and Health
• Community Leaders and Facilitators
• Researchers in Trauma and Gender Studies

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of trauma and its impact on individuals and communities.
• Comprehend the gendered dimensions of trauma and how it disproportionately affects different genders.
• Learn the core principles of trauma-informed approaches (safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, cultural sensitivity).
• Develop strategies for integrating trauma-informed principles across all phases of gender programming.
• Acquire skills in creating safe and non-re-traumatizing environments for program participants.
• Explore approaches for promoting resilience and healing within gender equality initiatives.
• Understand the importance of organizational self-care and staff well-being in trauma-informed work.
• Identify ethical considerations and best practices in working with survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Examine successful case studies of trauma-informed gender programming.
• Develop a practical action plan for applying trauma-informed principles in their specific program context.
• Enhance communication and interpersonal skills for sensitive and supportive engagement.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

• Defining trauma: types of trauma (acute, chronic, complex, collective).
• The neurobiology of trauma: fight, flight, freeze, fawn responses.
• Psychological, emotional, social, and physical impacts of trauma.
• Understanding vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, and burnout for practitioners.
• The concept of resilience and post-traumatic growth.

Module 2: The Gendered Nature of Trauma

• How gender norms and power dynamics shape experiences of trauma.
• Specific forms of trauma disproportionately affecting women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals (e.g., GBV, trafficking).
• Trauma experienced by men and boys (e.g., conflict-related sexual violence, forced recruitment).
• The intersection of gender, age, disability, and other identities in trauma experiences.
• Societal responses to trauma and their gendered implications.

Module 3: Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches

• Principle 1: Safety (physical and psychological).
• Principle 2: Trustworthiness and Transparency.
• Principle 3: Peer Support.
• Principle 4: Collaboration and Mutuality.
• Principle 5: Empowerment, Voice, and Choice.
• Principle 6: Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues.

Module 4: Applying Trauma-Informed Principles in Program Design

• Conducting gender-sensitive and trauma-aware needs assessments.
• Designing program objectives and activities with a trauma-informed lens.
• Integrating safety and predictability into program environments.
• Developing flexible and adaptable program models.
• Budgeting for trauma-informed elements and staff well-being.

Module 5: Trauma-Informed Implementation and Facilitation

• Creating emotionally safe spaces for participation and discussion.
• Communication techniques: active listening, empathetic responding, validation.
• Managing disclosures of trauma in group settings.
• Facilitating activities that promote choice, control, and empowerment.
• Addressing potential triggers and de-escalation techniques.

Module 6: Ethical Considerations in Trauma-Informed Gender Work

• Informed consent processes for sensitive topics and personal stories.
• Confidentiality and data protection when working with trauma survivors.
• Do No Harm principles and preventing re-traumatization.
• Boundaries and self-disclosure for practitioners.
• Referral pathways to specialized mental health and protection services.

Module 7: Organizational Self-Care and Staff Well-being

• Recognizing signs of vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue in self and colleagues.
• Developing individual self-care strategies for practitioners.
• Organizational policies and practices that support staff well-being.
• Creating a culture of support, supervision, and peer debriefing.
• Building resilience within humanitarian and development teams.

Module 8: Trauma-Informed Approaches to GBV Prevention and Response

• Applying trauma-informed principles to GBV case management and psychosocial support.
• Designing safe spaces and discreet services for GBV survivors.
• Integrating mental health and SRHR services with a trauma-informed lens.
• Engaging communities in GBV prevention using trauma-sensitive approaches.
• Ethical data collection and reporting on GBV in trauma-affected contexts.

Module 9: Advanced Topics, Challenges, and Future Directions

• Addressing collective and historical trauma in communities.
• Integrating trauma-informed care into broader health systems and policy.
• Challenges in implementing trauma-informed approaches in resource-constrained settings.
• The role of cultural practices and traditional healing in trauma recovery.
• Research and evidence base for trauma-informed gender programming.

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