May 20–22, 2025 (Machakos, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Gender Department, concluded a three-day workshop aimed at finalising its revised Customised Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Tools for implementation across its Pillars and Programme Areas.
The workshop brought together technical representatives from various IGAD Divisions to review the updated document, ensuring it reflects institutional priorities and aligns with regional gender equality frameworks. This effort reinforces IGAD’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in the Horn of Africa.
Participants were organised into thematic groups reflecting IGAD’s core pillars:
- Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environment
- Economic Cooperation & Regional Integration
- Peace & Security
- Health & Social Development
- Corporate Development Services
These groups conducted a detailed assessment of the guidelines, focusing on practical application and relevance to sectoral priorities.
Speaking at the opening session on behalf of IGAD Executive Secretary H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Amb. Mohamed Ali Guyo (PhD), Special Envoy for the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Somalia, underscored the strategic significance of the initiative: “This toolkit is more than just a technical manual—it is a strategic blueprint for weaving gender equality into every layer of IGAD’s work. With tools tailored to each division and targeted training, we are taking deliberate steps to ensure no team and no community is left behind.”
The revision of the guidelines follows the 2024 Institutional Gender Needs Assessment, which identified gaps and inconsistencies in gender mainstreaming practices. In response, IGAD engaged a consultant to review and validate the guidelines in line with the Gender Equality Strategy (2023–2030) and to respond to the specific programmatic and operational needs.
Ms. Amina Fara, IGAD Gender Programme Manager, highlighted the significance of the exercise: “The revised toolkit represents a vital step in advancing inclusive and gender-responsive service delivery across the IGAD region. It directly aligns with our Gender Equality Strategy and addresses the real, often overlooked gender gaps within our divisions.”
The revised document builds on IGAD’s earlier efforts to institutionalise gender mainstreaming, including the Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Tools developed between 2010 and 2017. These tools supported the implementation of IGAD’s Gender Policy and laid the groundwork for integrating gender into sectoral programmes.
The revised guidelines now serves as a practical resource, empowering IGAD teams to integrate gender more effectively into their work and contribute to inclusive, transformative development across the region.
Key Outputs of the Workshop:
- Validated Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Tools.
- Knowledge and experiences shared on Gender Mainstreaming in line with regional, national and continental frameworks
