GBV Risk Mitigation and Safeguarding in Humanitarian and Development Settings Training Course

Course Introduction

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risks escalate significantly in humanitarian crises and fragile development contexts, where displacement, poverty, insecurity, and weakened institutions expose vulnerable populations to exploitation, abuse, and harm. The GBV Risk Mitigation and Safeguarding in Humanitarian and Development Settings Training Course equips professionals with advanced tools to prevent, identify, and respond to GBV risks across program cycles while upholding the highest protection standards.

This course adopts a prevention-focused approach, emphasizing that all sectors not only protection actors have a responsibility to reduce GBV risks associated with their interventions. Participants will learn how infrastructure projects, food distribution, shelter design, education programs, and cash assistance can unintentionally create or exacerbate risks if safeguarding measures are not integrated from the outset.

Grounded in international humanitarian principles and safeguarding frameworks, the training explores policies, standards, and accountability mechanisms that organizations must implement to protect beneficiaries, staff, and partners. Participants will examine Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) requirements, survivor-centered principles, and ethical responsibilities in complex operational environments.

Special attention is given to risk assessment methodologies, including safety audits, participatory consultations, and data-informed decision making. Participants will gain practical skills to identify vulnerabilities among women, children, persons with disabilities, displaced populations, and marginalized groups, ensuring that interventions are inclusive and protective.

The course also addresses coordination challenges in multi-agency responses, highlighting the importance of partnerships among humanitarian clusters, government bodies, local organizations, and community leaders. Effective referral pathways, complaint mechanisms, and confidential reporting systems are emphasized to ensure timely assistance for survivors and accountability for perpetrators.

Through real-world case studies, simulations, and action planning exercises, participants will develop tailored GBV risk mitigation strategies applicable to both emergency response and long-term development programs. The course prepares leaders to institutionalize safeguarding practices, strengthen community trust, and deliver programs that prioritize safety, dignity, and human rights.

Duration

10 days

Who Should Attend

• Humanitarian program managers and coordinators
• Protection and safeguarding officers
• NGO and civil society organization staff
• Government officials involved in disaster response
• Field staff implementing development projects
• Social workers and community development practitioners
• Health and education sector professionals
• Donor agency representatives and grant managers
• Child protection and GBV specialists
• Camp management and refugee support personnel
• Monitoring and evaluation officers
• Security and risk management professionals

Course Objectives

• Develop advanced understanding of GBV risks in humanitarian and development contexts, including how crisis dynamics, displacement, and institutional breakdown increase vulnerability among specific population groups.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to conduct comprehensive GBV risk assessments across sectors, identifying programmatic activities that may unintentionally expose beneficiaries to harm and designing mitigation measures accordingly.
• Enhance capacity to integrate safeguarding and protection principles into all stages of the program cycle, from needs assessment and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Build competencies in establishing and managing Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) systems that ensure accountability of staff, partners, and contractors.
• Equip participants with practical tools for designing safe and accessible infrastructure, service delivery points, and distribution mechanisms that minimize exposure to violence and exploitation.
• Improve skills in developing confidential reporting channels, complaint mechanisms, and survivor referral pathways that prioritize safety, dignity, and informed consent.
• Strengthen knowledge of international standards, humanitarian guidelines, and legal frameworks governing GBV prevention and safeguarding obligations.
• Enhance capacity to engage communities in identifying risks, co-designing solutions, and promoting ownership of protection initiatives through participatory approaches.
• Develop leadership skills for coordinating multi-sectoral GBV risk mitigation efforts across humanitarian clusters and development partners.
• Improve monitoring and evaluation capabilities to track safeguarding performance, identify emerging risks, and ensure continuous improvement of protection measures.
• Provide strategies for addressing emerging threats such as online exploitation, trafficking, and abuse in displacement settings.
• Enable participants to institutionalize safeguarding policies, training, and accountability mechanisms within their organizations for long-term impact.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of GBV in Crises and Development

• Definitions, typologies, and prevalence of GBV in emergencies
• Drivers of violence in conflict, displacement, and poverty
• Vulnerable populations and intersectional risk factors
• Consequences for individuals, communities, and programs

Module 2: Humanitarian Principles and Protection Frameworks

• Core humanitarian principles guiding protection work
• International standards for GBV prevention and response
• Roles and responsibilities of humanitarian actors
• Accountability to affected populations

Module 3: GBV Risk Mitigation Across Sectors

• Integrating protection measures into non-GBV programs
• Sector-specific risks in shelter, WASH, food, and health
• Cross-cutting strategies for inclusive service delivery
• Case studies of successful mitigation approaches

Module 4: Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

• Organizational policies and codes of conduct requirements
• Reporting obligations and investigative procedures
• Community awareness of rights and complaint channels
• Preventing abuse by staff and contractors

Module 5: Risk Assessment Methodologies

• Safety audits and participatory risk mapping tools
• Collecting sensitive data ethically and securely
• Prioritizing risks and planning mitigation measures
• Monitoring evolving threats in dynamic environments

Module 6: Safe Infrastructure and Service Design

• Location planning to enhance accessibility and safety
• Lighting, privacy, and security considerations
• Designing gender-sensitive facilities and shelters
• Preventing overcrowding and unsafe conditions

Module 7: Community Engagement and Participation

• Building trust with affected populations
• Inclusive consultation with women, youth, and minorities
• Addressing cultural barriers to reporting violence
• Empowering communities to lead protection initiatives

Module 8: Survivor-Centered Response Principles

• Safety, confidentiality, and informed consent practices
• Psychological first aid and emotional support techniques
• Referral pathways for health, legal, and social services
• Avoiding re-traumatization during assistance

Module 9: Child Protection and Youth Safeguarding

• Risks of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking among children
• Safe spaces and child-friendly programming approaches
• Family tracing and reunification considerations
• Safeguarding in education and recreational activities

Module 10: Disability-Inclusive Protection

• Identifying barriers faced by persons with disabilities
• Ensuring accessibility of services and facilities
• Tailoring communication methods for diverse needs
• Preventing discrimination and neglect

Module 11: Cash and Voucher Assistance Risks

• Potential exploitation linked to financial aid programs
• Safe distribution mechanisms and monitoring systems
• Preventing fraud, coercion, and abuse
• Beneficiary feedback and grievance processes

Module 12: Camp and Settlement Management

• Safety planning in refugee camps and informal settlements
• Managing overcrowding and security concerns
• Coordination with local authorities and agencies
• Community watch systems and prevention measures

Module 13: Technology and Online Risk

• Digital exploitation and cyber harassment in crises
• Data protection and privacy safeguards
• Using technology for reporting and awareness
• Mitigating misinformation and harmful content

Module 14: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Developing indicators for GBV risk mitigation performance
• Conducting protection audits and reviews
• Using feedback to improve program safety
• Reporting outcomes to stakeholders

Module 15: Coordination and Partnerships

• Working with clusters, governments, and NGOs
• Sharing information while maintaining confidentiality
• Joint planning and resource mobilization
• Strengthening local capacity for protection

Module 16: Action Planning and Institutionalization

• Developing organizational safeguarding strategies
• Training staff and partners on protection standards
• Budgeting for GBV risk mitigation activities
• Ensuring sustainability and continuous improvement

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. . The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.