May 20, 2025 (Machakos, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Gender Department, has launched a three-day Review and Validation Workshop for the Customised Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Tools tailored for IGAD Pillars / Programme Areas.
The workshop brings together technical representatives from across IGAD to refine the toolkit and ensure alignment with institutional goals and regional gender equality frameworks. This initiative reinforces IGAD’s commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) across the region.
Despite notable progress, gender disparities remain a pressing challenge in the IGAD region. Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers to education, employment, credit, land, and leadership opportunities. IGAD underscores that tackling these inequalities is not only a matter of rights but also vital for achieving sustainable development and effective governance.
The revised toolkit builds on IGAD’s earlier efforts to institutionalise gender mainstreaming, including the development of its first Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Tools between 2010 and 2017. These were designed to implement the IGAD Gender Policy and Strategy, supporting the integration of gender considerations across sectoral programs.
However, a 2024 Institutional Gender Needs Assessment identified inconsistencies and gaps in training across divisions, highlighting the need for a more tailored and cohesive approach. In response, IGAD commissioned an expert consultant to update the toolkit, aligning it with the IGAD Gender Equality Strategy (2023–2030) and addressing the specific needs of each division.
Workshop Objectives:
- Validate the revised Gender Mainstreaming Toolkit.
- Ensure alignment with IGAD’s Gender Equality Strategy, Gender Policy, and regional frameworks.
- Address division-specific gender priorities and technical requirements.
- Foster institutional ownership and endorsement of the toolkit.
- Support uniform, customized gender training programs across IGAD.
Once finalised, the toolkit will serve as a practical resource for technical staff and program managers, equipping them to mainstream gender more effectively and foster inclusive, transformative development across the region.
