Addressing gender stereotypes and raising awareness about their negative impact is vital to building an equal and inclusive society. Master Trainers who work with vulnerable families and Family Empowerment consultants were trained on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to bring positive change among diverse communities.

The training was conducted in November 2024 and covered:

• Core concepts of gender equality and social inclusion
• Strategies for integrating these principles into family work and advocacy
• How to identify and address gender-related challenges, including inequality, stereotypes, and gender-based violence
• Understanding power dynamics and their impact on human rights, social inclusion, and gender-related issues. 

The comprehensive training will help Master trainers deliver educational sessions themselves on gender equality and social inclusion and work closely with both Family Empowerment Consultants and project families to foster awareness and help them navigate various challenges. 

”It is essential to understand gender stereotypes and perceptions that hinder equality. Following the sessions, participants have been equipped with the necessary knowledge, which they will apply in their work with families and consultants. Specifically, they will assist families in rethinking entrenched perceptions to promote women's empowerment at the family level and encourage the equal distribution of responsibilities.We discussed the multitude of responsibilities women often manage simultaneously, including household labor, and how this hinders their employment and career advancement. It is crucial to better represent women’s participation in communities and society, including workplaces where gender-sensitive policies should be implemented, and state services should become more oriented toward women and their needs.
Participants also recognised the significant role they, as specialists, can play in this important process. Achieving real change in the country requires coordination and the involvement of multiple sectors and services. After the sessions, trainers gained an understanding of how to provide support to families in specific cases and how to advocate for critical issues when faced with systemic challenges,” states Tamar Ivaniadze, Social Work Expert. 

This initiative is part of a collaborative programme “ERTAD – Empowerment, Resilience, Transformation, and Development” implemented by World Vision Germany, World Vision in Georgia, and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in partnership with the Social Service Agency (SSA) and funding from Swedish Development Agency (SIDA).