The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched a three-day regional workshop aimed at reviewing and validating its updated Gender Mainstreaming Toolkit, a vital step in strengthening gender equality efforts across the region.
The workshop brings together technical representatives from various IGAD divisions to refine the toolkit and ensure it aligns with the organization’s institutional goals and regional gender frameworks. According to an official statement, the initiative underscores IGAD’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).
“Despite progress, women and girls across the IGAD region continue to face systemic barriers to education, employment, credit, land ownership, and leadership,” IGAD noted. “Addressing these disparities is essential not only for the realization of human rights but also for sustainable development and effective governance.”
The new toolkit builds on IGAD’s earlier gender mainstreaming efforts, including the development of its first Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines between 2010 and 2017. However, a 2024 Institutional Gender Needs Assessment revealed critical gaps and inconsistencies in gender training across IGAD divisions, prompting a revision of the toolkit.
To address these gaps, IGAD commissioned a gender expert to update the toolkit in line with the IGAD Gender Equality Strategy (2023–2030). The revised version is tailored to the unique needs of each division and designed to foster greater consistency in gender integration.
Key objectives of the workshop include validating the revised toolkit, ensuring alignment with IGAD’s Gender Policy and Strategy, addressing division-specific gender priorities, and fostering institutional ownership. Once finalized, the toolkit will support uniform, customized gender training programs and serve as a practical resource for technical staff and program managers.
IGAD views this effort as crucial to promoting inclusive and transformative development throughout the region.
Written By Rodney Mbua
