“Male involvement into prevention of gender-based violence and discrimination”, the educational workshop in Odessa, 20-23 September 2009

05-10-2009, 17:51

The educational workshop “Male involvement into prevention of gender-based violence and discrimination” was held in Odessa during 20-23 September 2009. The workshop was organized by UNFPA CO in Ukraine within the framework of the project “Developing national capacity to reduce discrimination and GBV”. The main purpose of the workshop was to improve knowledge and skills of NGOs members and to develop and implement projects on male involvement into combating GBV and discrimination. A total of 23 representatives of NGOs which work at such areas as human rights, gender equality, women empowerment, prevention of gender-based violence and discrimination, male involvement etc. were invited to the workshop.

In accordance with the agenda, workshop has included three sessions: the theoretical session (20-21 September), the presentational/ knowledge sharing session (21-22 September) and practical session (23 September). During the first session the following was presented: basic definitions of gender, gender roles, 3”I” concept by M.Kimmel (‘Identity”, “Interaction”, “Institution”), compounds of gender-based violence definition, review of international and national legislation which regulates equal rights and opportunities for men and women as well as combating GBV and discrimination, analysis of CEDAW and OP CEDAW and implementation of their statements by Ukraine, the analytical report on mechanisms for monitoring and reducing GBV and discrimination. The second session was devoted to successes and challenges in implementation of different projects on male involvement into prevention GBV by invited NGOs. During this session invited representatives of NGOs had a possibility to present their own experience in male involvement approach. During the practical session participants were instructed on preparing, improving and implementing projects on male involvement into prevention of GBV and discrimination. Two groups of participants have developed pilot projects. These projects were widely discussed between the participants and trainers proposed some corrections for improving them.

At the last day of the workshop, trainers/ facilitators made conclusions for each session. Also, the plans of follow-up activities for development of male involvement approach into prevention of GBV and discrimination in Ukraine were discussed and presented.