InSPIRE Staff Participated in the Capacity Building Training on Gender and Project Cycle Management

The concept of “Gender” is a widely spoken phenomenon by many, yet remain unduly addressed. The discourse on gender equality quite often leads to controversial and intimidating outcomes in different socio-political and cultural contexts. The lack of awareness on the very notion of gender and insensitivity to humanity regardless of their physical, psychological and emotional being were recognized as the ultimate reasons for this outgrowth.

In order create wider awareness and in realizing the importance of utilizing a gender lens in the project cycle management, HELVETAS organized a two-day sensitization work shop for both their project staff and partner organizations, on October 5 & 6, 2020 at Renuka City Hotel, Colombo 03. The InSPIRE staff of Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) also participated in the training.

Day 1 started with understanding “Gender and Sex” through a participatory session carried out by Ms. Sriyani Perera, the Gender Consultant to the European Union in Sri Lanka and Maldives. In her session she also made us aware, that gender relations, gender impartiality, gender equity and equality and gender mainstreaming bear equal importance in the project cycle management. She added that Gender is a cross cutting area in the development sector, therefore identifying specific gender issues and addressing the situations of those individuals/groups should be executed in a manner that best interest them.

The participants also learned the vitality of considering the gaps pertaining to culture, attitudes, education, safety and security measures etc., of both men and women alike in mainstreaming gender in to their respective field of work. Further, an in- detail, interactive discussion on project cycle management was carried out highlighting on the key aspects; analysis, design, implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation, Learning (MEL).

The second session was focused on Gender and Media, where the participants engaged in a practical exercise in identifying negative/positive and harmful portrayal of gender in newspaper reporting. The session was facilitated by Ms. Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Head of Media Research at Verite Research.

The participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity provided to be a part of a very useful, productive and insightful training, and requested to continue the training after the Covid19 situation.

The organizers pointed out that it is essential that the discussion continues on effectively mainstreaming gender in the implementation of projects, considering the proactive role played by the participants and their respective organizations in the development sector.

The training program came to a halt on day 1 due the current Covid situation in the country. 

Written by- Marlene Perera