Introduction

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• Who is this Guide for
• Purpose and thinking behind the Guide
• Design of this Guide
• How to use this Guide

Who is this Guide for

This Guide has been developed for Gendernet and is intended, in particular, for gender focal points (GFPs) and other staff in the Gendernet member organizations with a responsibility to train others on gender.

This Guide draws from basic and advanced gender training courses provided in 2008 by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) to staff from Gendernet organizations.

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Purpose and thinking behind the Guide

This Facilitators Guide for Gender Training has been developed to support the design and delivery of gender training by GFPs. It is not a training of trainers manual but rather a resource to support GFPs. It is comprised of instructions, notes and “tips” specifically for the training modules and sessions included in this Guide, but does not include more generalized and comprehensive guidance on gender training.

The Guide is based on a number of assumptions about the intended users. Namely, that GFPs

• are well versed in gender and development theory and practice. Moreover, they have experience in applying and effectively communicating gender and development analytical concepts and are able to draw upon this experience when delivering training sessions and interpreting case studies provided in this Guide.
• have experience in designing and delivering gender training and facilitating adult learning processes.
• are versed in development practice.
• have undergone gender training themselves.

As a resource, this Guide provides “building blocks” which facilitators can use to design customized training workshops. It is not assumed that all the modules and session included in this Guide will be used in one training course or workshop. As training objectives, learning needs and learners’ experience are diverse, it does not provide a set training plan. Rather, we assume that based on the specific needs of learners, facilitators will choose which modules and sessions are most appropriate and revise them accordingly.

Still, with the “building block” approach, the overall structure of the Guide has been designed with the assumption that potential learners have little or basic understanding of gender and development concepts, despite having perhaps attended gender training previously. The module, Introduction to Gender and Development, covers these concepts. In cases where learners have demonstrated experience, facilitators will need to revise the Module, use the “refresher” session and/or start with the other Modules as appropriate.

Also, while this Guide assumes potential users are experienced trainers, step-by-step instructions for facilitators are nevertheless provided to allow for continuity, consistency and clarity of instruction.

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Design of this Guide

There are three sections following this introduction: (i) Overview of gender training, (ii) Training modules, sessions and suggested workshop plans and (iii) Resources:

Overview of gender training
This section provides a “cautionary tale”, discussing some of the current thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of this method to strengthen staff capacities to contribute to gender-equitable development. It also provides brief overviews of different stages of gender training (such as training needs assessments, training design, etc) as well as an overview of the key training and facilitation methods used in the Guide. The section ends with a set of minimum standards for gender training.

Training modules, sessions and sample workshop outlines
The core of this Guide, this section is divided into four modules, each of which includes a number of sessions, as well as a description of suggested other exercises including ice breaker and energizer activities:

Module: Introduction to Gender and Development
• Social relations of gender
• Gender inequity and poverty
• Institutional production and reproduction of gender

Module: Gender Analysis and Planning
• Gender analysis: key concepts
• Review of Gender Analysis Concepts
• Gender and the program cycle
• Gender aware design and planning
• Gender aware monitoring and evaluation

Module: Gender Mainstreaming and Organizational Change
• Policy approaches to addressing gender and equality in development
• Gender mainstreaming
• Gender and Organizational change

Module: Advocacy and Change
• Advocacy and Change
• Power and Change
• Developing advocacy strategies

Introductions/ice breakers
• Introducing a partner
• Name game
• Take a stand
• What I like-What I don’t like...

Energizers
• Fruit salad
• Gender relay
• Gender quiz
• Numbers game

Suggested workshop plans provide ideas for how this Guide can be used to design workshop outlines.

Resources
Included in this section are general key resources, a glossary of terms, as well as those included in the session outlines.

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How to use this Guide

As mentioned previously, while session outlines provide detailed instructions, it is assumed that both modules and sessions will be adapted according to the objectives of the training, the needs and experience of the learners (their experiences and knowledge of international development in general and gender and development, in particular) and the strengths and resources of the facilitators., Moreover, session outlines will need to be revised according to numbers of learners.

In light of these variables, users of this Guide will need to review, revise and adapt

• selection of module and sessions as well as their content
• types, timing and sequencing of session activities to ensure a diversity of training methods are used and appropriate allocation of time (note 1)
• content of the powerpoint presentations as well as case studies

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