Arab Regional Training of Trainers for Women, Peace, and Security

***Update: The date for the Training of Trainers has moved to early September.  Notifications of decisions on applications will be sent the week of June 16.

Leveraging the Engagement of Arab Women’s Rights Activists and Leaders with Relevant UN Security Council Resolutions to Advance Women’s Political Participation

1-4 July 2013

Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel—Cairo, Egypt

Call for Applications – Deadline May 31, 2013

In partnership with UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality and UNDP, Karama calls for applicants to a four-day training of trainers (ToT) focused on leveraging the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1880, and 1889 specifically to increase women’s political representation and roles in decision-making in the Arab states.

The training will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 1-4 July 2013, and is open to 40 participants from the following countries: Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. With funds from UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, Karama will cover the travel and accommodations of up to 24 participants. The training will be held in Arabic and English with simultaneous translation. Applications are due by May 31, 2013.

Overview

Since 2011, the Arab region has been in political and social flux, with the emergence of various factions competing for power, and in some cases emphasizing a discourse that is alarming in its exclusion of women’s interests and concerns and its obliviousness of women’s rights under the various international conventions and human rights treaties.

At the same time, the ongoing transitions in these countries are providing women with an unprecedented opportunity to reaffirm the legitimacy of their painstakingly achieved gains and to expand their presence in the public sphere, through increased political participation and representation in legislative and decision making bodies.

Responding to the diverse challenges increasingly faced by women, and seizing the momentum for change in these transitional phases, Karama will hold a training of trainers focused on the achievement of the following outcomes: (1) building the capacity of women’s rights activists and leaders to advocate for women’s political representation, by invoking international human rights conventions, especially UNSCRs 1325, 1820, 1889, and 1890; and (2) increasing social support toward the achievement of gender equality in political representation and public participation by mobilizing campaigns and other national activities targeting public policy and public opinion.

1. A.    Building the capacity of women’s rights activists and leaders to engage with UNSCRs

The first goal of the training of trainers program is to empower Arab women’s rights activists and leaders by strengthening their knowledge and awareness of the different means of engagement with UN Security Council Resolutions—especially 1325, 1820, 1889, and 1890—to leverage their exercise of leadership, authority, and advocacy for women’s political representation. To this end, the ToT will provide substantive knowledge on:

(1) the relevance of international conventions to strengthening women’s political participation;

(2) women’s comprehensive participation in the public spheres especially during transitional political phases;  

(3) gender perspectives in conflict, post-conflict, non-armed conflict, and political transition situations;

(4) the responsibilities of the different stakeholders, namely governments, political parties, armed forces and peacekeeping missions, civil society organizations, and the UN System.

1. B.    Increasing social support toward the achievement of gender equality in political representation and political participation

Linking theory with practice is essential to ensure that UNSCRs’ provisions and governments’ commitments are translated into improved practice, concrete results, and effective impacts. In addition, one of the main requirements for successful change toward gender equality is the reinforcement of the social base and support backing such practices.

To this end, the training of trainers will provide participants with the opportunity to directly practice the different skills required in advocacy, with a special focus on negotiation, mediation, lobbying, and campaigning. Moreover, the training program will dedicate a number of sessions to the analysis and evaluation of specific case studies from the region in order to develop practical and effective strategies to improve women’s political representation and public participation. National action plans will also be developed to ensure that strategies are tailored to the specific national context of each country represented in the training program.

These sessions aim at strengthening the impact of the work of women’s rights activists by engaging social groups and gaining their support through the development of different activities and campaigns.

Participants and Selection Criteria

The training program will admit 40 participants from the following countries: Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. With funds from UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, Karama will cover the travel and accommodations of up to 24 participants.

The training is primarily designed for individuals with a record of engagement in human rights and women’s rights, whether as educators, trainers, or activists. Women, men, applicants under age 30 as well as more experienced individuals are all encouraged to apply. To ensure the sustainability of the program, candidates will be evaluated based on their capacity to act as “multipliers” in the sense that they should demonstrate their ability to spread the knowledge, skills, and message of the ToT by providing training and awareness-raising activities in their own countries within their own fields of work. Applicants will be chosen based on their fulfillment of certain of the following criteria:

• Minimum two years of work in civil society organizations in the field of women human rights
• Experience in gender equality and women’s rights policy issues
• Involvement in national, regional, and/or international campaigns on human rights in general or women’s human rights
• Leadership and interactive skills and capacity to act/become an advocate and trainer
• Strong interest and commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights
• Good command of English (preferred but not required)

Application Process

Applicants to the regional training program should fill the application form attached to this announcement and provide your C.V. or resume with the application form. The deadline for application is 31 May 2013. Selected participants will be asked to prepare a national case study either on the opportunities or challenges facing women’s political representation or public participation.

Applicants to the training program must demonstrate their commitment to the entire duration of the program. Successful applicants will be notified of their selection by June 6, 2013. Once accepted, applicants should confirm their participation within a period of 4 days.

Please complete the attached application form and return it to mayada@el-karama.org by May 31, 2013.

Arab Regional ToT Application Form EN

Arab Regional TOT Application Form AR