Essential Concepts and
Definitions
1
TRAINER’S GUIDE
MODULE ONE
Table of Contents
2
• Introduction
• Learning Outcomes
• General Information
• Introductory Activities
- Getting to know each other through
expectations
- Group introductions
- Setting ground rules
• Training Sessions
• Course Conclusion
• Appendices
- Evaluation Form 1 and 2
- Sample Schedule
Introduction
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This manual is composed of seven modules, each
with their own comprehensive reader and
trainers’ guide (ppt).
The “Foreword” to the manual is reproduced in
each reader to contextualize each module in a
larger framework of women, peace and security
issues.
Module One: Essential Concepts and Definitions
can be used as a stand-alone module as well as a
useful companion tool to the remaining modules.
Cross-references are inserted throughout the
readers to refer to additional information that is
available is the other modules.
Introduction
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The terms ‘Gender’ and ‘Multidimensional Peace
Support Operations’ connote different things to
different people.
Gender, in particular, is a highly contentious concept
that is usually misconstrued as a “women’s-only issue.”
Multidimensional peace support operations, which
evolved from the concept and practice of peacekeeping,
involves a multiplicity of activities and actors, such that
its meaning and scope can also perceived differently.
Therefore, defining the meaning and scope of these
essential concepts is crucial to appreciating and
understanding the myriad of issues articulated in this
manual.
Introduction
5
Aims/Objectives for Module One:
To provide a shared understanding of gender,
multidimensional peace support operations
and its associated concepts and issues
To reduce the myths and address
misconceptions associated with gender and
multidimensional peace support operations
To serve as an introduction to gender issues
as well as to serve as an accompaniment to
the other modules in this manual
Learning Outcomes
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Participants and users will:
1. Increase their understanding of the meaning
of gender and multidimensional peace support
operations (MDPSO)
2. Recognise the different components and scope
of activities relating to gender and MDPSO
3. Acquire basic understanding of mainstreaming
gender and women’s issues in responses to
conflict, including peacebuilding and MDPSO
General Information for Trainers
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Pre-workshop:
i) questions for trainers [comment about
organizers, context of training, targets, ask
about level of knowledge on subject area,
refer to number of participants, working with
co-trainers, skills for the trainer(s)]
ii) content
iii) materials required to deliver session(s)
iv) duration
v) evaluation
General Information for Trainers
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Recommended methodology (a participatory
learning model)
- mini lectures
- brainstorming
- group exercises
- role plays/simulations
- plenary discussions
- quiz
Introductory Activities
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Getting to know each other
• Duration: 15-30 minutes (*depending on number of
participants)
• Materials: Flipchart, markers
• Procedure: This activity is intended to provide participants
with an opportunity to get to know one another by discussing
their expectations.
1. Ask each participants to write their name on a blank card
and to state, at least two expectations on this card (as
below).
2. Collect cards from the participants and write the
expectations on a flipchart to be displayed throughout
training. Refer back to participants’ expectations as the
course addresses their issues.
• Exercise 1:
NAME: ………………….
My Expectations for the Workshop: ……………..
Introductory Activities
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Group presentations
Duration: 15-30 minutes (*depending on number of
participants)
Materials: Flipchart, markers,
Procedure: The exercise opens lines of communications among
participants as they introduce one another. It is also useful in
terms of finding out more about participants’ background
and/or occupation in terms of addressing their training needs.
1. Ask participants to choose a partner and interview each other
to obtain information including their name, occupation,
hobbies, etc.
2. Ask each participant to introduce his/her partner to the larger
group, after which each participant will write his/her first
name on a card (Participant’s Card).
3. This card will be placed on the participant’s desk and used
throughout the training period.
General Information for Trainers
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Setting Ground Rules
• Materials: Flipchart, markers
• Duration: 15 Minutes
• Procedure: This activity is intended to allow participants to adopt
their own rules for the training so as to ensure an uninterrupted
training programme, as well as a positive flow of communications.
1. Ask participants to develop a number of ground rules for working
together as a group. These rules may include the following
helpful examples: Listen to what is being said, Avoid put-downs of
yourself or others, Refrain from speaking too often or too long
and give everyone a chance to speak, Switch off mobile phones
(or put them on silent mode), etc.
2. Write these on flipchart and make it visible in the workshop area
for duration of the programme. It is important that all
participants and trainers feel comfortable with the rules and
commit to respecting them.
Training Sessions
for Module One
Session One: Introduction
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Review the table of contents in the reader for
Module One to provide the outline/schedule for
training sessions:
1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Sex and Gender Construction
3. Understanding Conflict
4. Gender and Conflict
5. Responses to Armed Conflict: Focus on
Peacekeeping
6. Multidimensional Peace Support Operations
7. Gender Mainstreaming
8. References and Additional Reading
* Outlining the sessions will help trainer(s) gauge where
Session Two: Understanding the Sex
and Gender Construction
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Understanding the Sex and Gender
Construction
Objectives: To clarify the distinction between
sex and gender; To highlight how gender and sex
roles are constructed, applied and inter-linked;
To explain key concepts and terminologies
relating to gender
Materials: flip chart, markers, tape, reader for
Module One
Duration: Min. 90 mins
Methodology: brainstorming, mini lecture
Session Two: Understanding the Sex
and Gender Construction
15
Process:
Using tape exercise, ask participants to state what
they understand by the term ‘gender’
Write the responses on a flip chart
Ask leading questions on the differences between
gender and sex, as well as the correlation between
these terms
Use responses to deliver a mini lecture on gender
and its associated concepts.
illustrations and drawings can also be used to
increase understanding, depending on target
audience.
Session Two: Understanding the Sex
and Gender Construction
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Additional exercises:
Gender identity: In groups have participants
identify and list the identities associated with
men and women
Gender-based violence: brainstorming
session to ‘unpack’ the word ‘violence’. Have
participants list out the various types of
violence, especially those related to men and
women in the environments within which
MDPSO takes place.
Session Three: Understanding Conflict
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Objectives: To increase understanding on the
concept of ‘conflict’ ; To assess men and women’s
experiences of conflict and its correlation to the
gender problematic; To provide participants tools
for analysing conflict (and determine if they are
gender sensitive?)
Materials: flip chart, markers, Unit 3 of Module
Duration: Min. 150 mins
Methodology: mini lecture, group exercises,
plenary discussion, scenario building
Session Three: Understanding Conflict
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Process
1. Ask for volunteers to demonstrate the
concept of ‘conflict’. Have other participants
watch and state in one word what they saw
as conflict.
2. Write out responses on flip chart
3. Use responses to teach ‘conflict’ mini-lecture
4. Have participants discuss men and women’s
responses to conflict. Are there linkages
between these responses and gender?
Session Three: Understanding Conflict
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Additional Exercise/Lead discussion on conflict analysis:
1. Ask participants to state why this is important
2. Have participants discuss their experiences in
analysing conflict. Did this process incorporate
a gender lens? What gender-specific tools are
used?
3. Ask a participant to volunteer an example of a
conflict situation. Ensure the case study is
clearly understood.
4. Split participants into groups and have them
analyse the case study using conflict analytical
tools presented in the reader
Session Four: Gender and Conflict
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Purpose: To provide understanding on the interrelations
between gender and conflict; To assess the impact of conflict
on men and women; To identify the roles of women and men
in conflict resolution, management, etc
Materials: reader in Module One, flip chart
Duration: 90 mins
Methodology: use testimonials, case studies, group exercises
and mini lecture
Process:
1. Ask participants to describe experiences of conflict. Ask
them to focus on the roles of men and women in conflict and
the impact of conflict.
2. Write responses on a flip chart to highlight the different
impacts on men and women.
Session Five: Responses to Armed Conflict:
Focus on Peacekeeping
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Purpose: To outline the emergence of peacekeeping
looking at the international system (UN) as well as sub-
regional efforts to support peacekeeping initiatives.
Materials: reader in Module One, flip chart
Duration: 60 mins
Methodology: mini lecture
Process:
1. Using reader, review peacekeeping at UN and sub-
regional levels
2. Ask participants to ask questions or share their
experiences working with UN or sub-regional missions
Session Six: Multidimensional
Peace Support Operations
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Purpose: To describe the activities of a
multidimensional peace support operation, focusing
on its efforts towards conflict prevention; To inform
participants about other elements (relief,
peacebuilding, etc.).
Materials: reader in Module One, flip chart
Duration: 60 mins
Methodology: mini lecture
Process:
1. Ask participants to name elements of MDPSO
2. Using their responses, provide mini-lecture referring
to the reader for Module One.
Session Seven: Gender Mainstreaming
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Gender Mainstreaming
Purpose: To explain the concept and rationale of
gender mainstreaming; To illustrate the importance
of applying a gender perspective in all of the
components (conflict prevention, peacekeeping,
peacebuilding, etc.) noted in previous sessions.
Materials: reader in Module One, flip chart
Duration: 120 min
Methodology: mini lecture
Process:
1. Use reader to give mini lecture and use the Gender
Mainstreaming Framework diagram to illustrate the
process
2. Allow plenty of time for questions and examples
Conclusion
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The trainer should distribute evaluation forms
for participants to provide their comments on
the course, teaching methods and content.
This feed-back should be considered in future
training sessions.
Appendices: Evaluation Form 1
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POST-TRAINING EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name :………………( Optional)
2. Sex:
Male Female
3. What did you expect from this Training?
Expectations
1
2
3
Appendices: Evaluation Form 2
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Comment on your own capacity/knowledge and indicate where you
would have liked more information/training.
Session Very Good Good Fair No comments
Gender and Sex Construction
Conflict
Gender and Conflict
Responses to Armed Conflict
MDPSO
Gender Mainstreaming
Sample Schedule
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Time Day 1 Day 2
08:30-09:00 Introduction to the course Review
09:00-10:30 Understanding the Sex and Gender Responses to Armed Conflict
Construction
10:30-11:00 Tea Break Tea Break
11:00-11:30 Understanding Conflict Multidimensional Peace Support Operations
13:00-14:00 Lunch Lunch
14:00-15:00 Understanding Conflict Gender Mainstreaming
15:00-15:30 Tea Break Tea Break
15:30- 16:30 Gender and Conflict Using Gender Mainstreaming in components of
all sessions
16:30- 17:00 Daily Evaluation Final Evaluation
17:00 Close Close
