Capacity building for officials working on gender equality

In addition to the work of propagating, disseminating and educating policies and laws on gender equality (GEA), Can Tho City focuses on improving the capacity of the staff in charge of GEA work. Through the organization of training courses, refresher courses, and coaching sessions, etc., the staff in charge of GEA work will have more professional knowledge and skills, thereby effectively implementing models to support women, contributing to stabilizing life, developing the economy - society and promoting GEA in the city.

Officials participated in a training course on gender mainstreaming skills in policy and law making organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the Department of Home Affairs of Can Tho City.

Having just completed a training course on gender mainstreaming skills in policy and law making, Mr. Ly Van Long, an expert from the Department of Culture and Society , in charge of gender mainstreaming work in Lich Hoi Thuong commune, said: “I have just taken on the task of gender mainstreaming, so I really need a solid foundation of knowledge. Attending the training course helped me identify gender barriers, know how to develop appropriate plans and coordinate with units, especially the Women's Union, to implement activities. At the same time, professional training also helps officers in charge of gender mainstreaming to better identify long-standing problems, thereby building communication messages suitable for each target group.”

The training course on gender mainstreaming skills in policy and law making, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the Department of Home Affairs of Can Tho City, attracted more than 100 commune, ward and professional department officials to attend. The training content analyzed in-depth real-life situations, such as: division of labor in the family, livelihood opportunities, identifying prejudices in handling administrative procedures... These are issues that grassroots officials often encounter in their work and social life.

Ms. Tran Xuan Thuy, an expert from the Department of Culture and Society, in charge of gender equality work in Hiep Hung commune, said: "Many years of experience working with women has helped me understand the barriers that rural women often face, such as lack of skills, lack of opportunities and sometimes lack of voice." According to Ms. Thuy, to promote gender equality, it is necessary to create a space for women to speak up about their own problems. Participating in training courses and professional training helps her clearly see the roots of inequality and choose a suitable model for each group of women. Currently, Ms. Thuy is surveying and preparing to build a model "Listening to women speak", targeting vulnerable groups of women. Thereby, creating a forum for women to express their needs, contribute solutions and participate in community activities.

In communes and wards, officers in charge of gender equality focus on disseminating knowledge from training courses into activities of self-governing groups and branches, integrating propaganda about new rural areas, building civilized urban areas, social security, and preventing domestic violence. Many small group dialogue activities and situation exchanges between men and women are organized instead of one-way propaganda methods.

Ms. Vo Thi Thuy Doan, President of the Women's Union of O Mon Ward, shared: "We have increased propaganda with many diverse and rich forms; in which, we prioritize taking advantage of social networking platforms to spread good and effective ways to mobilize men to share housework, take care of children, and accompany women in economic development... ". This change in behavior shows that gender equality work is not a short-term movement but a transformation process in each family.

Mr. Tieu Minh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Can Tho City, emphasized: “Gender mainstreaming is only truly meaningful when implemented with specific and practical actions at the grassroots level. We continue to advise and coordinate the organization of training courses on gender mainstreaming in socio-economic development plans; at the same time, support localities in building models and perfecting gender information and statistics systems.”

Article and photos: CAO OANH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/tang-cuong-nang-luc-cho-can-bo-lam-cong-tac-binh-dang-gioi-a194432.html