"Communicating Gender for Development": Dimitra's New Training Module

This three-page article documents a "Communicating Gender" training initiative implemented by FAO/Dimitra in Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Niger. The goal of the training course is to contribute to development efforts for gender equality by promoting information and communication that take gender issues into account. According to the report, one of the keys to reducing and removing persistent inequalities between men and women is access to information. Such access enables men and women to understand the issues at stake and seize opportunities for changes in behaviour at the social, economic, technical, and political levels. However, such change can only take place if both men and women are involved in the transformation process.

In general, the course was designed to build capacity of government, NGOs, and international organisation's personnel to include gender issues in agricultural and rural development policies and measure their differentiated impact on men and women in communication activities. It also intended to ensure equal access for men and women to resources, goods, services, and decision-making in rural areas, as well as help governments formulate agricultural and development policies that take gender equality into account, exclude no one, and are participatory.

The article briefly summarises the three pilot workshops in each of the three countries. For the first workshop in Senegal, organisers say anchoring gender training in practical and concrete experience linked to communication proved to be important, as well as using examples drawn from participants' everyday lives. Drawing on participants' experiences ensured that all were able to participate actively. The programme was adapted for the second workshop in DRC so that participants could acquire skills through the step-by-step creation of a communication activity, such as a video forum or series of radio announcements. During the last workshop, organisers say the group was particularly diverse, but that the development of a communication activity as a group still proved to be the appropriate approach. Positive feedback from the participants confirmed the fine-tuning of the teaching materials were in line with the needs identified during previous workshops. As far as content is concerned, the use of examples and case studies proved extremely useful.

The article includes a number of lessons learned from the pilot workshops. According to the article, the effectiveness of the selected teaching approach was demonstrated. The approach was based on the principles of participatory communication, and integrating gender concept acquisition into communication activities that most participants experience/have experienced in their professional lives. This makes it easier to understand the direct link between gender issues and communication. As far as content is concerned, the use of examples and case studies proved very useful. Also, the composition of the groups has a significant influence on the synergies, and therefore the content, of the training courses. Concerning logistics and organisation, the report states that it is important to have two trainers (a man and a woman) to fully take into account the sensitivities and viewpoints of both men and women attending the training course.

According to the report, to communicate gender it is crucial to know and understand the context and take several viewpoints, opinions, and statements into account during communication action. Gender equality can only be sought when social, economic, and political dimensions are taken into account. This also means that taking the gender dimension into account in a communication activity requires that the interests, problems, experiences, and priorities of both women and men be considered and discussed. It is also important to find the people who are "missing" from the communication activity; be aware of stereotypes and prejudices that everyone holds; demonstrate the effects of gender relations; and conduct research with experts and above all with field workers to better understand their specific needs.

The article reports that there has been interest from authorities and development actors for the course, and Dimitra is already considering cooperation with several ministries so that the training can be replicated on a larger scale. Dimitra will also be developing a guide to be used as a reference on the subject of gender and communication in rural areas. The content will include the key components of the training courses so that others can use them.

Note: The Training Guide will be published towards the middle of 2011.