From October 1 to 5, 2023, a broad group of stakeholders gathered at Holy Trinity Spa (Sogakope) for a critical Gender Capacity Assessment Validation and Training Workshop led by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The training focused on essential gender concerns, to strengthen the capacity of project officers and stakeholders in dealing with issues such as gender-based violence, child labour, leadership, and general wellness in project implementation.
Representatives from key institutions, including MESTI, DCS-MOFA, EPA, WD, FSD, COCOBOD, LUSPA, and WRC, participated in discussions revealing significant gender inequalities in their respective institutions.
The identified gaps ranged from a lack of gender policies and insufficient financial allocations for gender-related activities to noticeable gender imbalances in decision-making roles and delayed progress in incorporating gender equality across programmes.
To bridge these gaps and pave the road for a more inclusive future, participants made actionable suggestions. These included the implementation of written gender policies, frequent training sessions, specific budgets for gender activities, advocacy initiatives, extended parental leave for fathers, and the appointment of dedicated officers to address gender issues.
The implementation of these recommendations is expected to transform these institutions' approaches to gender issues, producing a fairer and more inclusive environment in their particular sectors.