Knowledge Hub
Evidence-based learning, evaluations, research, guidance, manuals, tools and programme updates.
Gender equality
Why gender equality? Gender equality is globally the most common form of inequality and remains a major obstacle to the eradication of poverty. We specifically focus on gender equality as a means to significantly reduce inequalities and empower people living in extreme poverty to improve their lives.
Across the world, so many women and girls still do not have access to or control over resources and services. They live in fear of gender-based violence (GBV), are denied education and have no say over decisions in their homes. Gender equality forms a major pillar of Concern’s Strategic Plan (2021-2025) and is a key area of focus for all programmes in livelihoods, health and education.
And we are seeing an impact.
"Before these lessons [from Concern], we did not know that girls have an important part in society; we thought that girls were meant to stay at home and not go to school. We thought that it was enough for them to learn how to read and write and not more. But now we know that a girl can be educated more than that. That's the most important thing I learned with Concern."
Latest achievements
Achievements
- In 2021, Concern produced an issue of the magazine ‘Knowledge Matters’ focusing on lessons learned from our Gender Equality programming.
- In Niger, 43% of households reported that women are now at least consulted in key areas of household decision-making, an important improvement from last year (18.5%).
- Every programme that Concern implements is 'gender sensitive' - meaning it identifies and takes into account the different needs, abilities, and opportunities of girls, boys, women and men.
Eliza Manjolo in her shop in Nsanje, Malawi. Eliza took part in Umodzi training. Photo: Chris Gagnon/Concern Worldwide
Commemoration for 16 days Activism at Hanano school. Photo: Hassan Isgowe/Concern Worldwide
George Mukaly Ngoyi & Natalie Ngoyi. George has undergone gender equality training supported by Concern.
Mariatu Tholley and Abdulai Kabia Macorner Community SLM Project. Photo: Charlotte Woellwarth/Concern Worldwide
Gender equality programmes and workshops aim to change attitudes from the bottom up, teaching values of respect and shared work, creating a safer and more equitable place in Congo for women.
An integrated programme funded by Irish Aid, our project aims to realise sustainable improvements in children’s literacy, well-being and gender equality
A closer look at our approach to gender equality
Here are just some of the ways our gender equality programming is helping to change the lives of women, men and children around the world.
Gender sensitive to gender transformative
Every programme that Concern implements is 'gender sensitive' – meaning it identifies and takes into account the different needs, abilities, and opportunities of girls, boys, women and men. Our ultimate aim, however, is to move from 'gender-sensitive' to 'gender-transformative' on all programmes. This means working with communities to develop programmes that transform the root causes of gender inequality at many layers of society – from the individual to the institutional and national.
Engaging men
Conflict and gender equality
"When Concern came, we were living poorly, the men disregarded us and took everything from us. But since Concern arrived, things have changed especially with the trainings. And I could finally go back home and share what I had learned, like how to raise my children, how to communicate with my husband."
Positive results
Engaging with men doesn’t mean that women lose out. Based on Concern’s positive results using the approach in Tanzania and Sierra Leone, we believe that engaging men is an essential element of women’s empowerment so that benefits are brought to children, women and men themselves.
Publications on the theme of gender equality
Research and insights from our gender-sensitive programmes in action.
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