ADAMA – September 09, 2023 (NIPN/EPHI) – A three-day interactive training on practical approaches to integrating gender in NIPN and Nutrition was given to partners and stakeholders of NIPN-Ethiopia here from 5 to 8 September 2023.
The training that was wound up on 08 September 2023 had its objectives in intensifying awareness and knowledge of the various gender-related concepts. Leading the Gender Training that was sponsored by GIZ, Tatiana Gil (Dr.), an expert in public health, nutrition, and gender, said that the purpose of the training is to equip participants with ideas on gender sensitivity for their daily work.
Tatiana said that the Gender Training would raise awareness among the participants on how they should integrate gender in data collection, analysis, and communication of their products in more efficient and accurate ways. “Currently, there is a lot of gap in gender data. This lack of data can lead to the inefficient completion of nutrition programs,” Tatiana said, adding that the training had the intention of filling this gap.
Dr. Tatiana expressed hope that participants would get knowledge from the training and implement it in their daily work and lives.
Speaking of her observation at the beginning of the training, Tatiana said that as the gender topic might be controversial, she thought some participants could be resistant and might be confused why the training was given. “But very quickly, all participants were involved in all activities. They participated, making comments and asking questions. So, I have a positive feeling about the interactive participants,” she said.
Archana Sarkar (PhD) from GIZ is responsible for managing NIPN in Ethiopia and working closely with EPHI and IFPRI for effective NIPN-Ethiopia outcomes. She said that the Gender Training was given with the objective of boosting the integration of gender into nutrition data management and programming. She said that “Gender-related concepts, methodologies to integrate gender into NIPN activities, and links between nutrition and gender were shared in an interactive and participatory manner, mixing group working sessions and theory presentations”.
Archana said that attempts were made to raise awareness through the practical application of group activities on the “meaning of Gender Transformative Approaches in Nutrition and how it can be integrated in day to day programming work”.
She further said that Gender is included by default in GIZ and EU supported interventions and aims at opportunities for an active change in gender norms, promote the inclusion of women in social and political positions of influence, and address gender inequities.
Aregash Samuel (PhD), Coordinator with NIPN-Ethiopia said closing the three-day Gender training that all participants were believed to gain a lot from the participatory and invaluable Gender Training. She said that earlier she was surprised to think of keeping her staff members for three days for Gender Training out of office. “But now I have realised that indeed the training was very interesting and useful for us all. It was made in such a way that it could be participatory,” she said.
Participants also said that they got a lot form the Gender Training. Many of them were heard saying that similar training is needed to be organized occasionally for all professionals who have been engaged in various walks of lives.
Some 20 researchers, university instructors, communication personnel, leaders of gender directorates in different sectors drawn from higher learning institutions, ministry offices, EPHI, IFPRI and NIPN-Ethiopia were involved in the three-day Gender Training. (NIPN/EPHI)
