Gender Based Violence Training Course

Introduction

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most widespread and persistent violations of human rights across the globe, affecting individuals regardless of age, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. Rooted in power imbalances and systemic gender inequalities, GBV takes many forms physical, sexual, psychological, and economic and is exacerbated by cultural, legal, and institutional gaps. This training course provides a comprehensive understanding of the causes, manifestations, and consequences of GBV in different contexts, including communities, workplaces, schools, and conflict or humanitarian settings.

The course equips participants with knowledge of international and national legal frameworks that address GBV, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and regional instruments. It also explores the roles of institutions, service providers, and civil society in preventing violence and supporting survivors. Special emphasis is placed on survivor-centered approaches, ethical considerations, and culturally appropriate interventions.

Participants will gain practical skills in identifying risk factors and indicators of GBV, designing prevention and response strategies, and conducting safe referrals. Through real-life case studies, participatory exercises, and group discussions, they will explore the intersections between GBV and issues such as poverty, conflict, displacement, disability, and sexual orientation. The course also examines the importance of community mobilization, awareness-raising, and male engagement in ending gender-based violence.

This training is essential for professionals involved in gender programming, social protection, human rights, health, education, justice, and humanitarian response. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to recognize, prevent, and respond to GBV within their respective roles, and to contribute to building safer, more inclusive, and gender-equitable communities and institutions.

Course Objective

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

·       Understand the fundamental concepts, types, and root causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including its social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions.

·       Identify the different forms of GBV physical, sexual, psychological, and economic and their impact on individuals, families, and communities.

·       Analyze the legal and policy frameworks (international, regional, and national) that guide GBV prevention, protection, and response.

·       Develop a survivor-centered understanding of GBV case management, including principles of safety, confidentiality, informed consent, and non-discrimination.

·       Apply practical tools for identifying GBV risk factors, mapping referral pathways, and implementing effective prevention and response strategies.

·       Integrate gender-sensitive approaches into programs and policies to reduce the risk of GBV and support survivor recovery and empowerment.

·       Strengthen coordination mechanisms between sectors (health, psychosocial, justice, protection, and education) for a multi-sectoral GBV response.

·       Explore the intersectionality of GBV with age, disability, displacement, sexual orientation, HIV status, and other vulnerabilities.

·       Build skills in advocacy, communication, and community engagement to challenge harmful gender norms and mobilize collective action against GBV.

·       Monitor and evaluate GBV interventions using appropriate indicators and ethical data collection methods.

·       Foster institutional accountability and develop workplace policies that prevent harassment, abuse, and exploitation.

·       Promote sustainable, rights-based strategies to eliminate GBV and contribute to gender equality and the realization of human rights for all.

Duration

5 days

Who should attend?

This course is suitable to:

·       Social workers, counselors, psychologists, and case managers involved in supporting survivors of GBV

·       Healthcare providers such as nurses, doctors, and public health practitioners working in clinical or community-based settings

·       Law enforcement officers, legal practitioners, and justice system actors dealing with GBV cases and victim protection

·       Staff of NGOs, community-based organizations, and humanitarian agencies engaged in gender programming, protection, or advocacy

·       Government officials and policymakers involved in social development, health, gender, justice, and education sectors

·       Teachers, educators, and school administrators interested in addressing and preventing school-related gender-based violence

·       Human resource professionals and workplace leaders developing gender-sensitive organizational policies and safeguarding systems

·       Development practitioners and program managers working in post-conflict, displacement, or refugee settings

·       Religious leaders, community elders, and youth mentors who influence social norms and community practices

·       Researchers, gender specialists, seeking to deepen their understanding of GBV and contribute to effective responses 

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Gender-Based Violence

• Understanding the Concept of GBV
• Forms and Manifestations of GBV (physical, sexual, psychological, economic)
• Root Causes and Contributing Factors
• The Gender Power Imbalance and Patriarchy
• Global and Regional Statistics and Trends

Module 2: Legal and Policy Frameworks

• International Human Rights Instruments (e.g., CEDAW, Istanbul Convention)
• Regional and National GBV Laws and Policies
• The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Enforcement
• Human Rights-Based Approach to GBV Prevention and Response

Module 3: Intersectionality and Vulnerability

• GBV in the Context of Age, Disability, and Sexual Orientation
• GBV in Conflict, Crisis, and Humanitarian Settings
• Gender, Culture, and Social Norms
• Marginalized and At-Risk Populations

Module 4: GBV Prevention Strategies

• Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention
• Community Mobilization and Awareness-Raising Campaigns
• Engaging Men and Boys as Allies
• Addressing Harmful Traditional Practices (e.g., FGM, early marriage)
• School and Workplace-Based Prevention Programs

Module 5: Survivor-Centered GBV Response

• Guiding Principles: Safety, Confidentiality, Respect, and Non-Discrimination
• Crisis Intervention and Psychological First Aid
• GBV Case Management and Referral Systems
• Coordinated Multi-sectoral Response (Health, Justice, Psychosocial, Shelter)

Module 6: Medical and Psychosocial Support for Survivors

• Clinical Management of Rape and Sexual Assault
• Trauma-Informed Counseling Approaches
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
• Supporting Children and Adolescents Experiencing GBV

Module 7: GBV Risk Mitigation in Humanitarian Settings

• Integrating GBV Risk Reduction in Emergency Response
• The IASC GBV Guidelines and Protection Clusters
• Safe Spaces and Services for Women and Girls in Displacement
• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Collection

• Ethical and Safe GBV Data Collection
• Using Sex- and Age-Disaggregated Data
• Designing GBV Indicators and Outcome Measures
• Reporting, Documentation, and Accountability

Module 9: Advocacy and Institutional Strengthening

• Building Gender-Sensitive Institutions and Workplaces
• Developing GBV Prevention and Response Policies
• Advocacy Strategies and Coalition Building
• Capacity Strengthening for Frontline Responders

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 requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, 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