ITP – Human Rights Towards Gender Equality, MENA region

The International Training Programme “Human Rights towards Gender Equality” MENA was designed to strengthen the capacity of decision-making bodies, institutions and CSO in the field of human rights and gender equality in the MENA region. The objective was to provide increased knowledge and build capacity within human rights and gender issues though scheduled training events and support to the participating organisations project for change. Each participant in the Training Programme implemented a project for change in her/his organisation during the Training Programme and through the programme and the participants received training and coaching on how to develop and implement their project for change. The programme served the threefold purpose of enabling the participants to:

1. Acquire an understanding and knowledge of human rights and gender equality issues.
2. Be able to implement a project for change in order to build capacity in regard to human rights and gender equality issues in their organisations (public agencies and CSOs) and home countries. For CSO participants, change projects and training is important to enhance their advocacy roles, and participation in policy dialogue.
3. Acquire a network for dialogue and interchange of experiences and support between the participants.

Each Training Programme (three in total) was implemented during 14-18 months and consisted of five phases including a four week training program in Sweden, a regional follow-up seminar and an in-country seminar for each participating country Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The target group was 25 participants from CSOs, national governments, local and regional authorities and the private sector.

The modules of the scheduled training covered 1) Basics on gender and sex: including the stereotypes of masculinity, sexual and reproductive rights, including sexual orientation, impact of HIV/AIDS and disabilities, domestic violence 2) Human Rights and Legal instruments, including international conventions, analysis and the practical implementation mechanisms 3) Methods of analysis including practical models of gender budgeting, application of gender statistics, and gender mainstreaming. Module 4) focus on change processes and project planning and a change strategy planned through improved project planning and communication strategy. The regional seminar followed up on the progress of improvement as well as supported the participants change projects. During the implementation the management and experts coached and advised the participant organizations in the process of institutionalising change.