Introduction

The Gender and Humanitarian Action Training Course explores how gender dynamics influence humanitarian crises and how effective humanitarian responses can be gender-sensitive and inclusive. Humanitarian organizations and actors must understand the different roles, needs, and vulnerabilities of men, women, boys, and girls in emergencies. This course provides in-depth knowledge on how to integrate gender equality principles into all phases of humanitarian action, from assessment to response and recovery.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Understand Gender in Humanitarian Contexts: Gain a comprehensive understanding of how gender shapes vulnerabilities and capacities during emergencies.
2. Analyze Gender-Sensitive Programming: Learn how to design and implement gender-sensitive humanitarian programs that are inclusive of all genders.
3. Apply Gender Analysis Tools: Use tools and methodologies to assess gender impacts in humanitarian settings.
4. Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Learn best practices in preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in crisis situations.
5. Ensure Gender Equality in Humanitarian Leadership: Explore strategies for promoting gender equality within humanitarian organizations and leadership roles.
6. Understand the Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equality: Develop strategies to engage men and boys in promoting gender equality and reducing violence.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Humanitarian practitioners and NGO staff working in conflict and disaster zones.
• Program managers and project officers in sectors such as health, education, protection, and livelihoods.
• Gender specialists and advocates working in humanitarian settings.
• UN and multilateral organizations focused on gender equality and humanitarian action.
• Government officials and policy makers working in disaster response and gender-related programs.
• Academics and students in gender studies, humanitarian assistance, or social development fields.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Gender in Humanitarian Action

• Morning Session: Understanding Gender in Humanitarian Contexts
  • What is gender? Key concepts and definitions: Gender, sex, gender equality, and gender equity.
  • The social construction of gender: How cultural, social, and political factors shape gender roles and expectations.
  • The impact of gender inequality in humanitarian crises: How conflicts and disasters exacerbate gender-based vulnerabilities.
  • Case study: Gender implications in the Syrian refugee crisis.
• Afternoon Session: Gender and Intersectionality in Humanitarian Settings
  • The concept of intersectionality: How gender intersects with other identities such as race, age, disability, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
  • Case studies: Intersectionality in various humanitarian settings (e.g., Hurricane Katrina, Rohingya crisis).
  • Group exercise: Conducting a gender analysis in a humanitarian context.

Day 2: Gender-Sensitive Humanitarian Programming

• Morning Session: Gender Analysis Tools and Methodologies
  • Introduction to tools for gender analysis: How to assess gender needs and impacts (e.g., Gender Analysis Framework, Gender Markers, Participatory Assessment).
  • Data collection and disaggregation by sex, age, and disability in humanitarian assessments.
  • Gender-responsive needs assessments: Techniques to gather gender-specific data during emergencies.
  • Group activity: Using gender analysis tools to conduct a field assessment.
• Afternoon Session: Designing Gender-Sensitive Programs
  • Integrating gender into humanitarian programming: How to design inclusive interventions in food security, education, health, and water sanitation (WASH).
  • Addressing gender-specific needs in nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and psychosocial support.
  • Examples of successful gender-sensitive programs: Ethiopia, Bangladesh (refugee camps), Philippines (typhoon response).
  • Group activity: Develop a gender-sensitive project proposal for a humanitarian response.

Day 3: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Humanitarian Crises

• Morning Session: Understanding GBV in Emergencies
  • Definition and types of Gender-Based Violence (GBV): sexual violence, domestic violence, trafficking, and child marriage.
  • Risk factors and drivers of GBV in conflict and disaster settings.
  • Impact of GBV on affected populations: mental health, community cohesion, and physical well-being.
  • Case study: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Addressing GBV in conflict zones.
• Afternoon Session: Preventing and Responding to GBV
  • GBV prevention strategies: Raising awareness, community engagement, and empowerment of women and girls.
  • Providing care for GBV survivors: Psychosocial support, legal assistance, and health services.
  • The role of community mobilization in GBV response: Empowering women’s groups and local leaders.
  • Group discussion: Creating GBV response protocols and safe spaces for survivors.

Day 4: Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality

• Morning Session: The Role of Men and Boys in Promoting Gender Equality
  • Understanding the role of men and boys in challenging traditional gender norms and reducing violence.
  • Strategies for engaging men and boys in gender equality programs and GBV prevention.
  • Case study: MenEngage Alliance – Successful engagement of men and boys in gender transformative approaches.
• Afternoon Session: Addressing Masculinities in Humanitarian Contexts
  • The concept of hegemonic masculinities and how it impacts humanitarian responses.
  • Challenges faced by men in crises: Mental health, unemployment, and violence.
  • Programming for positive masculinities: Workshops, peer education, and community outreach.
  • Group exercise: Designing a men’s engagement program to promote gender equality in a humanitarian setting.

Day 5: Gender Equality in Humanitarian Leadership and Organizational Practices

• Morning Session: Promoting Gender Equality in Humanitarian Leadership
  • Barriers to women’s leadership in humanitarian action: Structural challenges and strategies to promote gender balance in leadership roles.
  • Strategies for gender mainstreaming within humanitarian organizations: Building organizational capacity to address gender.
  • The role of humanitarian organizations in advocating for gender equality in the field and at the policy level.
  • Case study: Women’s leadership in humanitarian response in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake.
• Afternoon Session: Gender Accountability and Monitoring
  • Monitoring and evaluating gender equality in humanitarian interventions: Gender-sensitive indicators and evaluation frameworks.
  • Accountability mechanisms: How to ensure that humanitarian programs are achieving gender equality goals.
  • Case study: Gender equality audit in a large humanitarian organization.
  • Final group project: Develop a gender-responsive monitoring framework for a humanitarian program.