Training on Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health: Facilitation Manual

The manual is designed to provide facilitators with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead workshops on gender and sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on promoting gender equity and addressing issues related to violence and coercion. The manual emphasizes the importance of reflective practice, which involves leading participants through a process of learning and personal introspection, rather than simply delivering information in a didactic manner. This approach acknowledges that participants are also experts by virtue of their various personal experiences and recognizes that everyone has a piece of the truth. The manual provides guidelines for facilitators on how to create a safe and inclusive learning environment, including seating participants in a large circle and avoiding the use of laptops. The facilitator's role is to help participants feel welcomed, valued, and safe, while also encouraging respectful listening and dialogue. Facilitators are not expected to be experts on all of the issues that may arise in the workshop, but rather to provide gentle guidance and support to individuals and the group as a whole. The manual also emphasizes the importance of modeling gender equality and being mindful of power dynamics within the group. The manual provides a detailed outline of the workshop, including the objectives, agenda, and expectations for each day. The workshop is designed to be a participatory and interactive process, with activities and discussions that are intended to promote learning and personal growth. The manual includes a range of exercises and activities, including role-playing, group discussions, and reflective practices, that are designed to help participants explore issues related to gender and sexual and reproductive health. The manual also emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment, including being mindful of power dynamics and cultural sensitivities. Facilitators are encouraged to be flexible and adaptable, and to be willing to adjust the workshop to meet the specific needs of the group. The manual provides a range of resources and references, including other curricula and training materials, that can be used to support the workshop. Overall, the facilitation manual for training on gender and sexual and reproductive health is a comprehensive and practical guide for facilitators who are working to promote gender equity and address issues related to violence and coercion. The manual provides a range of tools and resources that can be used to support the workshop, and emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. The manual was developed with funding from the Agir pour la Planification Familiale (AgirPF) project, which is supported by the American People through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The manual was written by Maimouna Toliver, with considerable contributions from Fabio Verani, and has been adapted from a range of other curricula and training materials. The manual includes a range of acknowledgments and credits, including recognition of the contributions of Rouguiatou Diallo and André Koalaga of AgirPF, and the copy editing and publishing support provided by Michael Klitsch.