Human Rights Campus

Gender mainstreaming is a strategy to achieve gender equality. It is shorthand for saying that the impact of all policies and programmes on women and men should be considered at every stage of the policy or programme cycle — from planning to implementation and evaluation. This advanced e-learning course aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge of and skills in gender mainstreaming and gender analysis. It draws on best practice and case studies from around the world. The course also provides the opportunity to focus on a specific sectors or policy areas (such as, education, sexual exploitation and abuse, organisational development, or human resources) and for participants to employ this knowledge in their own workplace through an action research topic.

The first half of the course will focus on lessons learned in gender mainstreaming in various UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations, governments and programmes. In the second half participants will be introduced to specific gender mainstreaming tools, including the use of gender planning frameworks, and several topical areas based on the interest of the participants. Critical analysis of current theory and practice is encouraged throughout the course.

Course objectives

This e-learning course provides you with an introduction to the international standards, organisational approaches, methods and tools of gender mainstreaming and critical concepts as a means to reflect on and deepen your own work. You will:

acquire knowledge about:

• existing gender analysis frameworks;
• practical gender mainstreaming tools and their application;
• challenges organisations face in mainstreaming gender internally;
• how gender mainstreaming has an impact on and benefits international development and humanitarian programming.

Gain skills in:

• defining main gender concepts, gender analysis and gender mainstreaming;
• determining what gender mainstreaming tools are most useful;
• determining whether a programme is gender-sensitive in international development and humanitarian response;
• monitoring gender equality programming using checklists and tools;
• encouraging full participation of women, men, girls and boys.

Course format

This certificate course involves approximately 50 hours of reading, discussion, weekly 90-minute live classroom sessions (on Tuesday's from 14h00-15h30 UTC/GMT) with the course instructor and/or guests experts, assignments (both individual and in small groups) and quizzes, and is offered over a 11-week period. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. Participants will do the required readings, prepare interim and final assignments and participate in group discussions. Case studies will be used to enable interactive learning and activities. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to audit the course.

Week 1: Gender and defining gender mainstreaming
Week 2: Gender integration framework
Week 3: Gender analysis
Week 4: Applying gender mainstreaming (group work)
Week 5: Tools for gender mainstreaming and analysis: gender audits
Week 6: Tools for gender mainstreaming and analysis: gender budgeting and the gender with age marker
Week 7: Tools for gender mainstreaming and analysis: gender in humanitarian action (individual work)
Week 8: Engaging men and boys
Week 9: Overcoming resistance
Week 10: Benefits of gender mainstreaming
Week 11: Wrap up & the way forward

Course instructor(s): Frank Elbers

Who should apply

The course is intended for staff of government and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, humanitarian and development practitioners, gender focal points, or academic institutions interested in gender equality. Participants should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computing devices and Internet use.

Upcoming session(s): 18 September-3 December 2024.

Costs: Tuition fee for participants: € 655 (after 1 July 2024: € 775). Tuition for auditors: € 275 (after 1 July 2024: € 305). Payments can be made online with major credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa), PayPal and bank transfer. Bulk rates are available.

Registration: You can enrol in this course if you have an account. If you don't already have an account, please create one. Once we have received your enrolment you will be sent an invoice with instructions on how to make the tuition payment. For queries, please contact training@humanrightscampus.org.

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