Several individuals from Dominica are currently immersed in a transformative three-day EnGender Behavioural Change Communication Gender Training, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with the goal of “doubling down on the mistakes from the past.”
Marium Alleyne, the project manager overseeing this endeavour, noted its forward-looking approach during the opening ceremony on September 25. She stated that the EnGender [Enabling Gender Responsive Disaster Recovery Climate and Environmental Resilience] project seeks to avoid repeating past gender-related mistakes by investing in gender-responsive policy initiatives and inclusive solutions that pave the way for a more just future.
Alleyne stressed that gender responsiveness is an ongoing commitment, as the persistence of gender inequalities highlights the project’s importance. She underscored that the knowledge gained from this training will extend beyond the EnGender project, contributing to synergistic efforts in the Caribbean region and ultimately ensuring a future free from the errors of the past.
Melissa Morgan, Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, outlined three key objectives for the training. First, it aims to enhance participants’ skills in accessing financing from donor agencies. Second, it provides a refresher for experienced professionals, equipping them to support new and emerging NGOs. Lastly, it encourages programming against gender-based violence, as she stressed “ one death because of domestic violence is too much.”
Morgan emphasised the importance of integrating gender-based violence prevention and response into one’s work, highlighting that the existing network of NGOs working with various demographics offers critical entry points for addressing this issue.
This three-day workshop falls under the EnGender project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. The initiative is led by UNDP in partnership with beneficiary donors, and gratitude was expressed by Morgan to all involved parties.
During the first day of the workshop, participants delved into “Gender Analysis & Mainstreaming.”
They received an introduction to gender concepts and analysis frameworks, with a focus on effective versus ineffective gender analysis. Today, participants explored integrating gender and gender-based violence into project work and project proposal writing. This involved sessions on integrating gender into the project/program cycle, understanding and confronting gender-based violence, and integrating prevention and responses to gender-based violence in diverse development projects and programming.
Tomorrow’s sessions will revolve around “Gender Responsive Grant Proposal Writing.” Participants will learn about selling proposals, matching needs with funders’ overall mandates, reasons why proposals may get rejected – What do donors look for? and putting together a solid justification. The day will also cover proposal planning and development, monitoring and evaluation, and financial management, concluding with the presentation of certificates to participants.
The workshop is being held in five countries namely, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia
