Introduction

Sustainable and meaningful progress towards gender equity cannot be imposed from the top down; it must be driven by and deeply rooted in the aspirations, knowledge, and agency of the communities themselves. Community-led approaches recognize that local women, men, and gender-diverse individuals are not just beneficiaries but active agents of change, possessing invaluable insights into their unique contexts, social norms, and challenges. By fostering local ownership, building on existing community strengths, and empowering diverse voices, these approaches ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate, relevant, and ultimately more effective and sustainable than external directives. This shift in power dynamics from prescriptive programming to participatory action is fundamental for dismantling systemic gender inequalities and fostering lasting social transformation. This essential training course focuses on Community-Led Approaches to Gender Equity, equipping participants to facilitate genuine, grassroots-driven change.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip development practitioners, community organizers, civil society organizations, local government officials, gender equality advocates, and social workers with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to design and implement community-led initiatives for gender equity. Participants will gain a deep understanding of participatory methodologies, learn how to facilitate inclusive community dialogues, and explore strategies for mobilizing local resources and leadership for gender equality. The course will delve into topics such as power analysis in communities, fostering local ownership, participatory gender analysis, engaging men and boys as allies, addressing resistance to change, and strengthening community-based accountability mechanisms. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Community-Led Approaches to Gender Equity, participants will be empowered to build sustainable change from within, ensuring that gender equality initiatives are truly responsive to local needs and driven by local wisdom.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Community Development Workers and Organizers
• Program Managers and Staff of Local and International NGOs
• Gender Equality Advocates and Activists
• Local Government Officials and Community Liaisons
• Social Workers and Counselors working with communities
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in grassroots initiatives
• Researchers and M&E Specialists involved in participatory research
• Humanitarian Practitioners working in community engagement
• Public Health and Education Professionals at the community level
• Youth Leaders and Peer Educators

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts and principles of community-led development for gender equity.
• Analyze power dynamics and social norms within communities that influence gender relations.
• Learn to conduct participatory gender analysis and needs assessments at the community level.
• Acquire skills in facilitating inclusive community dialogues and decision-making processes.
• Explore strategies for mobilizing local resources and leadership for gender equality initiatives.
• Comprehend the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in community-led gender transformation.
• Identify methods for addressing resistance and promoting social norm change from within communities.
• Understand approaches to strengthening community-based accountability and monitoring.
• Examine global best practices and successful case studies of community-led gender equity initiatives.
• Develop a practical action plan for designing a community-led gender equity intervention.
• Enhance facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills for community engagement.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Community-Led Approaches and Gender Equity

• Defining community-led development and its core principles (ownership, participation, sustainability).
• Why community leadership is crucial for achieving lasting gender equity.
• Understanding gender norms, roles, and power relations at the community level.
• The link between local knowledge, cultural context, and effective gender programming.
• Shifting from "doing for" to "facilitating with" communities.

Module 2: Power Analysis in Communities and Gender Dynamics

• Identifying different forms of power (visible, hidden, invisible) within communities.
• Analyzing how power dynamics shape gender relations and decision-making.
• Tools for participatory power mapping and stakeholder analysis.
• Understanding barriers to women's and marginalized genders' participation and leadership.
• Case studies of power shifts in community-led gender initiatives.

Module 3: Participatory Gender Analysis at the Grassroots

• Methodologies for conducting community-level gender analysis (e.g., gender mapping, daily activity clocks, resource access diagrams).
• Facilitating inclusive discussions that bring out diverse gender perspectives.
• Identifying gender-specific needs, priorities, and opportunities through participatory methods.
• Ensuring the voices of marginalized groups (e.g., youth, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals) are heard.
• Translating community insights into action plans.

Module 4: Facilitating Inclusive Community Dialogues and Decision-Making

• Principles of effective facilitation for sensitive discussions on gender issues.
• Creating safe and respectful spaces for open dialogue.
• Techniques for managing conflict and diverse opinions in group settings.
• Empowering community members to lead discussions and make decisions.
• Tools for consensus building and collective action planning.

Module 5: Mobilizing Local Resources and Leadership for Gender Equity

• Identifying existing community assets, strengths, and local leaders.
• Strategies for strengthening community-based women's groups and networks.
• Supporting indigenous and traditional governance structures to address gender issues.
• Leveraging local knowledge and resources for sustainable gender initiatives.
• Mentorship and capacity building for local gender champions.

Module 6: Engaging Men and Boys as Allies for Gender Equity

• Understanding the role of masculinities and their impact on gender norms.
• Strategies for engaging men and boys in challenging harmful gender stereotypes.
• Promoting positive masculinities and shared responsibilities (e.g., caregiving, violence prevention).
• Facilitating dialogues that encourage men's active participation in gender equity efforts.
• Case studies of successful male engagement programs led by communities.

Module 7: Addressing Resistance and Fostering Social Norm Change

• Identifying sources of resistance to gender equality within communities.
• Strategies for navigating cultural sensitivities and traditional practices.
• Promoting gradual, incremental change through dialogue and education.
• The role of local champions and positive deviants in norm transformation.
• Monitoring shifts in attitudes and behaviors over time.

Module 8: Community-Based Accountability and Monitoring

• Establishing participatory monitoring and evaluation systems for gender equity initiatives.
• Developing community-led indicators of change.
• Tools for collecting feedback and ensuring accountability to affected populations.
• Empowering communities to track progress and make adjustments to programs.
• Celebrating successes and sharing lessons learned locally.

Module 9: Challenges, Best Practices, and Scaling Community-Led Approaches

• Overcoming challenges: power imbalances, resource limitations, external interference.
• Documenting and sharing successful community-led gender equity models.
• Strategies for scaling up community-led initiatives while maintaining local ownership.
• The role of external actors in supporting vs. directing community processes.
• Building a network of practitioners committed to community-led gender transformation.

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