Gender Equality in Politics - Specialised Course for Staff of Governmental Bodies for Gender Equality

Advancing gender equality in politics remains a low priority for many countries' governments. At the same time, governmental bodies for gender equality (so-called IMGEs) rarely have an opportunity to receive in-depth training on gender equality in politics.

This unique and specialised course aims to equip selected staff of IMGEs with knowledge, skills, and competences to understand, critically assess, and apply concepts, methods and tools of gender equality in politics. The aim is to contribute towards successful leadership, gender analysis, and IMGEs policy development and programming in this area.

Specifically, the course aims for the following learning outcomes:

• Good understanding of concepts, tools, and methods of advancing women’s political participation, gender equality in politics and gender-responsive governance
• Ability to integrate gender equality in politics as a policy issue in IMGE policy development and programming
• Demonstrate skills in presenting, communicating, and influencing on gender equality in politics

The course is structured in a hybrid format, comprising:

1. Approximately six hours of independent online learning in July or August 2025
2. In-person training in Stockholm from Tuesday to Friday, 9-12 September 2025
3. Approximately six hours of online learning and consultations in October, November, or December 2025

The course outline is available in the key resources section below.

Participation and fees

Governmental bodies responsible for gender equality policy are invited to participate.

There is no course fee, and the organisers will also cover the costs of coffee breaks and lunches. However, participants from nominating governments, governmental bodies, or institutional mechanisms will need to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and dinners in Stockholm.

Queries

If you have any questions, please contact Saša Gavrić, ODIHR’s Adviser on Gender Issues, at sasa.gavric@odihr.pl.

Further background

While the majority of states have adopted some form of multi-year national gender equality strategy, programme, or action plan aimed at addressing key policy issues, such as violence against women, women’s economic participation, or gender-based discrimination, many have not committed to comprehensive approaches to advance women’s political participation and gender equality in politics. Governmental bodies in charge of gender equality policy often refrain from engaging with political parties, considering them as non-state actors and in that way beyond the scope of work of the executive. At the same time, Europe is facing partial stagnation in women’s political representation. The 2024 General Recommendation No. 40 of the CEDAW Committee serves as a reminder and a call for action towards all actors, including governments, for a renewed commitment to gender parity (50/50).