The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) recently organized a face-to-face training on “Gender-sensitive economic policy management in the context of post-Covid-19 recovery” in Dakar, Senegal. The training, which took place from May 8 to 12, 2023, was held in collaboration with the Regional Service Center for Africa of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP-RSCA) and received financial support from the Government of Canada.
A total of 23 participants, including ten women, from various sub-regions of Africa attended the training. The sub-regions represented were West Africa (Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Senegal, Sierra-Leone), East Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda), Southern Africa (Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe), North Africa (Sudan, Tunisia), and Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad).
The face-to-face training followed an online training that took place from January 23 to February 17, 2023, and was attended by 318 participants. The online training covered critical policy issues such as Gender and Macroeconomics, Gender-Aware Analysis, Gender and Trade, and gender-responsive budgeting.
Mrs. Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of IDEP, emphasized the importance of analyzing the impact of multiple crises and Covid-19 on women, men, and young people. She highlighted the need for developing appropriate gender-related policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Njoya Tikum, Regional Coordinator of the UNDP Subregional Office for West and Central Africa, stressed the significance of gender-sensitive economic policies. She stated that well-designed macroeconomic, structural, and financial policies can benefit women, girls, and society at large. As the world focuses on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial to design gender-responsive policies and strategies for faster recovery and resilient economies.
Tsitsi Fungurani, Representative of the Government of Canada, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in designing and implementing gender-responsive solutions to address the gendered impacts of the pandemic. She highlighted the need for political alignment to ensure a strong, resilient, inclusive, and green recovery.
The training was conducted within the framework of the Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative (GEPMI), launched by UNDP in 2010 in cooperation with IDEP and other international organizations. The training aims to accelerate economic growth and reduce poverty by investing in gender equality and addressing persistent gender inequalities.
Despite the evidence supporting the benefits of gender equality, attention to gender equality is still lacking in the formulation and implementation of economic policies. This is often due to a lack of essential skills in designing, implementing, and monitoring gender-sensitive policies.
The training modules were revised by UNDP and IDEP to reflect current development challenges and integrate the SDGs, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Union Agenda 2063, the Covid-19 pandemic, the care economy, and priority issues identified by the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
The current GEPMI training aims to enhance the capacity of the RECs and their respective Member States in mainstreaming gender into economic policies and national development plans. It also aims to create an enabling environment for inclusive economic development.
All 23 participants received certificates of completion and were encouraged to actively participate in a platform for peer learning and knowledge sharing among policymakers on emerging gender issues.
How did the training session organized by IDEP address the gender-related impact of the Covid-19 pandemic?
The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) recently organized a training session on “Gender-sensitive economic policy management in the context of post-Covid-19 recovery” in Dakar, Senegal. The training, held in collaboration with the Regional Service Center for Africa of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP-RSCA) and with financial support from the Government of Canada, took place from May 8 to 12, 2023.
The training was attended by a total of 23 participants, including ten women, from various sub-regions of Africa. Represented sub-regions included West Africa (Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Senegal, Sierra-Leone), East Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda), Southern Africa (Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe), North Africa (Sudan, Tunisia), and Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad).
This face-to-face training followed an online training session that took place from January 23 to February 17, 2023, with a total of 318 participants. The online training covered key policy issues such as Gender and Macroeconomics, Gender-Aware Analysis, Gender and Trade, and gender-responsive budgeting.
During the training session, Mrs. Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of IDEP, highlighted the importance of analyzing the impact of multiple crises and Covid-19 on women, men, and young people. She emphasized the need for the development and implementation of appropriate gender-related policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Njoya Tikum, Regional Coordinator of the UNDP Subregional Office for West and Central Africa, also emphasized the significance of gender-sensitive economic policies. She stated that well-designed macroeconomic, structural, and financial policies can benefit women, girls, and society as a whole. As the world continues to focus on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial to consider the specific needs and challenges faced by different segments of the population.
This article highlights the crucial need for capacity building on gender responsive economic policies to foster inclusive development in Africa. Addressing and promoting gender equality in economic policies will not only lead to greater social and economic progress but also create a fair and equal society for all.
Very informative article! Capacity building on gender responsive economic policies is crucial for inclusive development in Africa. It is heartening to see efforts being made to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all.