The Beijing Project Office hosted a three-day Gender Equality Training and Workshop from February 22-24, 2006. Participants included BPO staff from SFAGM, SADP, and LHESP, County Coordinators from SFAGM and their local GE focal points, Long-term Technical Advisors and Project Officers from SADP field offices, and CCADP Gender advisors. The training and workshop was facilitated by Lucie McNeill, Gender Specialist for CCADP.

The one-day participatory training for CCADP staff familiarized trainees on CIDA’s and CCADP’s gender equality policy and strategies, increased their level of gender awareness, and introduced practical ways to integrate the gender dimension in their daily work. Participants were given a series of tools that they can use in their GE work, including the “4 Don’t Forgets”, advocacy tips, and management checklists. One highlight of the event was the role plays that saw participants acting out scenarios that they might encounter while working on gender equality issues in the projects.

During the two-day workshop, participants further determined broad GE goals to be pursued by CCADP, and contributed to the GE-specific workplans for the 2006/07 project year.

Participants left the event with a better understanding of gender equality and what it means to their work. One participant noted, “I have learned a lot from the GE training and I will integrate GE into my future work.”