IGAD rallies experts to finalize gender toolkit for fairer future

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — With gender inequality still casting a long shadow across the Horn of Africa, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has kicked off a three-day regional workshop aimed at closing the gap—starting within its own walls.

The event, which opened Monday, brings together technical representatives from IGAD’s eight member states. Their mission: to review and finalise a revised Gender Mainstreaming Toolkit designed to embed gender fairness in every aspect of the regional bloc’s work.

“This initiative is not just about ticking boxes,” said one IGAD official on the ground, speaking at the launch. “It’s about embedding equality where decisions are made and where policies take shape.”

A Regional Challenge, a Shared Responsibility

Despite years of international commitments and progress in some areas, women and girls in the IGAD region still face steep hurdles. Access to education, land, credit, and leadership roles remains patchy and unequal.

IGAD’s own 2024 Institutional Gender Needs Assessment highlighted the problem at home. It found uneven training across its divisions and called for a more practical and unified approach.

In response, IGAD brought in an expert consultant to overhaul its original toolkit, which was first rolled out over a decade ago. The new version draws from IGAD’s updated Gender Equality Strategy (2023–2030) and is designed to be more specific to each department’s needs.

“This toolkit is not a one-size-fits-all guide,” said the lead consultant. “Each division faces different challenges, and this update respects that.”

Aiming for Impact, Not Rhetoric

The revised toolkit will act as a hands-on guide for program managers and technical staff. It’s intended to help them weave gender considerations into the fabric of their work whether in climate programmes, peacebuilding, health, or trade.

“The goal is not just policy alignment,” the consultant added, “but real, meaningful change on the ground.”

That includes uniform, practical training tailored to each division and stronger institutional ownership, ensuring that gender equality isn’t seen as an add-on but a core part of IGAD’s mission.

The workshop also allows participants to weigh in on the draft, ensuring buy-in from those who will actually use the toolkit.

Looking Ahead

IGAD officials say the finalised toolkit is expected to be adopted later this year. Once in place, it will support long-term efforts to embed gender equality in all IGAD operations, aligning with global goals and local realities.

“This is about making sure gender isn’t an afterthought,” said one participant. “It’s about building fairer institutions ones that reflect and serve everyone.”

IGAD’s workshop continues through Wednesday. Whether it marks a turning point or just another paper promise remains to be seen. But inside the hall, there’s a sense that this time, the groundwork is being laid for change that sticks.

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