By Raphael Kioko
A gender-sensitive eye is necessary for all impact organizations. Organizations that lack gender sensitivity in their operations, programs, or projects perpetuate existing gender inequalities.
Studies have shown that, women continue to suffer discrimination and unequal rights and opportunities worldwide.
In Kenya, the problem of gender inequality still sprevails in most spheres of life despite the many efforts by interest bodies and the government to drive gender parity. That is why a gender-sensitive eye is necessary for all impact organizations. Organizations that lack gender sensitivity in their operations, programs, or projects perpetuate existing gender inequalities. These organizations may cause more harm to the society they intend to serve.
While gender bias may sometimes occur either deliberately or blindly, organizational policies should be in place to ensure a gender accommodative working environment. On going interventions now include education and awareness of gender equality and its importance, which are critical to eliminating stereotypes and discrimination. But are the interventions reducing biases and providing guidelines on handling gender equality issues?
Recently, Invest In Africa partnered with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in a drive to overcome inequality and exclusion. The partnership mainly focused on gender inclusion. Under this initiative, some of the organization’s staff members were enrolled in a gender equality programming training to further enrich the championing of gender equality through deliberate strategic planning and creation of the necessary policies.
“The training was an eye-opener in understanding gender mainstreaming and the importance for organizations to actively consider gender equality programming and implementation, especially within workplaces and impact programs,” said Jeanne Njeri, a beneficiary of the training.
Invest in Africa have continued to bolster its capacity to implement gender equality strategies and applying gender-sensitive lenses in their programs. Under the partnership with WUSC, the organization received expert human resource support, under their volunteer program in a bid to help it review its policy framework to embed a gender accommodative culture.
What this means to companis and oganization is that the commitment to reduce gender bias must be clearly stated and widely communicated within enterprises, organizations, government agencies, and social groups. Applying a gender-sensitive lens in social interventions, support programs, and workplaces, is key in building a more equal society and a sustainable existence.
