Themes

Gender(ed) knowledge: Gender training has been instrumental in popularizing gender concepts and, some would argue, forwarding the gender and development agenda. Ironically, it is also held as the main reason behind the depoliticization and instrumentalization of the agenda. This theme will explore the tensions between gender training and feminist epistemologies required for engendering attitudes and practice.

Gender training as metaphor: In the strict sense, gender training is about a bounded learning intervention, usually in a workshop setting.  It can be seen as one of many approaches to affect and develop skills, attitudes and knowledge. Many people recognize that processes and interventions other than training are also required: organizational, especially cultural, change; leadership and accountability; and resources such as tools and guidelines.  This theme explores gender training as a microcosm of the challenges faced with these other processes and interventions. 

Gender trainers and advocates: There is widespread recognition that gender trainers and advocates have different perspectives, approaches and motivations. But this is rarely scrutinized, often out of a concern for maintaining feminist solidarity. There is little reflection on gender trainers as gendered individuals operating within particular spatial, historical and institutional contexts who derive their livelihoods from gender inequity. This theme explores gender trainers as a diverse group of technicians, development professionals, advocates and/or feminists situated in different gendered, spatial and temporal contexts that gives rise to both strengths but also tensions and contradictions.

Future prospects: This theme explores the implications for gender training of recent new directions in women’s leadership and rights and asks if similar epistemological issues experienced with gender training are present.

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