International organizations and national governments are increasingly recognizing that in order to ensure long term stability, reconciliation and peace processes need to be inclusive of all peoples within a society. This course will answer the question, “why gender matters.” Gender is a socio-cultural construction that defines the roles and expectations that a given society ascribes to men and women, boys and girls, and sexual and gender minorities. Gender identities are therefore learned, highly malleable and particularly affected during times of violent conflict, violent extremism or natural disaster. Through a series of mixed media presentations, case scenarios and exercises, participants will explore how conflict impacts gender identities, and also how gender expectations can influence violence and create opportunities for peaceful resolution.

Course Overview

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the diversity of gender identities, and that gender is not a simple binary between the biological sex of female and male men and women.
• Learn how gender roles are affected by unexpected or prolonged violence in society, and learn central concepts and basic frameworks of gender and peacebuilding.
• Explore the varying approaches and current practices toward ensuring gender inclusivity in peacebuilding activities. Examine international frameworks and national policies that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Examine international frameworks and national policies that promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Overview Video

Click on the video below for an overview of the course.

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