Gender and Diversity Training
Representation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth. — Simone de Beauvoir
Why Gender Training?
It is not just men, who perceive the world based on their own experiences. Everybody does that, and unless we are aware of it, will continue to do so. That is why so many well-intentioned projects are not delivering what they were intended to do. We anticipate what the target groups want and need, instead of directly asking them!
Gender is a cross-cutting issue relevant to all aspects of life. It is vital to consider in security assessments and training, as different people face different risks.
It is also an important aspect of understanding armed conflict and finding solutions for inclusive and lasting peace.
Gender training will improve your situational awareness, and thereby your decision-making, no matter whether you work in a civilian or military context, in a business or a civil society organization.
Human beings are incredibly prone to unconscious biases, cognitive patterns relating to their own identities. Unconscious biases may be based on various factors of diversity such as ethnicity, religious background, age, sexual orientation, or diverse abilities. You don’t believe you have them? Test yourself.
I can help you to become aware of these biases and support you in making not just fairer, but also better professional decisions.
What happens during Gender Training?
As with all other training, gender training starts with yourself. Which gender do you identify with? What does it mean for you and in your society to be a man, a woman or to identify as a third gender?
Depending on your area of work and your training needs, I will design an individual training curriculum.
The training will be a lively mix of trainer input, exercises, case studies, group work, and enough room for exchange and discussion.
Topics might include:
Clarifying key terms and concepts
Policy development, for example, “Women, Peace, and Security”
Tools for a gender analysis
Applying a gender perspective to a specific context, such as a project, program, or mission
Gender and culture
Dealing with resistance
Sexual and gender-based violence
Examples of Training and Lectures
Introductory training on “Gender Mainstreaming” for local and international staff of EUAM Iraq
“Gender Mainstreaming” workshop for the Directorate S of the German Federal Foreign Office
Workshop for “Gender Focal Points” of GIZ in Germany
Regular talks on “Gender in UN Missions” during the United Nations Staff Officer Course (UNSOC) at the General Staff College in Hamburg
Workshops on “Gender in Missions” for the General Staff Officer Course (LGAN) and subject matter expert during exercises
Input for the courses “Gender Perspectives”, organized by the Center for Operative Communication, and “Women, Peace and Security” offered by the Police Academy Baden-Wuerttemberg.
How do I work?
I have some basic principles, which apply to all the work I am doing.
Start by understanding your customer. I will ask a lot of questions, and most importantly: listen!
No one-size-fits-all. All training is tailor-made and adapted to your needs.
I am 100% reliable. If I commit myself to a project, I deliver - in time.
Know your limits. If I do not have an answer to your problem, I will let you know. I do not like bullshit and I will not offer anything, I am not convinced of.
Each job is a learning opportunity. The feedback of my customers and participants will be taken seriously and fed into the next project.
This training can also be delivered online, using Zoom or other digital tools.