Gender, Peace, and Security Leadership Training Course

Introduction

Peace and security challenges today are increasingly complex, shaped by conflict, displacement, violent extremism, climate shocks, and political instability. Gender dynamics profoundly influence how these crises unfold and how communities experience their consequences. This course provides an in-depth exploration of the gendered dimensions of peace and security, equipping participants with the skills and leadership competencies needed to influence policy, strengthen institutions, and support resilient communities.

Participants examine global frameworks including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda that guide the integration of gender perspectives in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and security governance. Through case studies from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, learners gain insight into diverse conflict realities and the critical role of women in advancing sustainable peace.

The training goes beyond theory to focus on practical leadership, negotiation, and peacebuilding tools. Participants learn how to design and lead inclusive peace processes, mediate conflicts, and strengthen community security initiatives. The course emphasizes survivor-centered approaches, human rights principles, and ethical leadership, ensuring interventions are guided by dignity, accountability, and protection.

Recognizing the importance of prevention, the course equips participants to analyze conflict drivers, early warning indicators, and risk factors linked to gender inequality, extremist recruitment, and political exclusion. Learners examine how gender-sensitive security strategies can reduce violence, improve community resilience, and promote national stability.

As the global security landscape evolves, the course integrates emerging issues such as climate-driven conflicts, cyber threats, digital activism, economic insecurity, and the evolving role of women in security institutions. It prepares participants to navigate these trends with agility, strategic thinking, and evidence-based decision-making.

By the end of the program, participants walk away with strengthened leadership capacity, a deeper understanding of gender-responsive peace and security approaches, and practical tools to influence institutions, empower communities, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable peacebuilding at local, national, and regional levels.

Who Should Attend

• Peacebuilding practitioners and conflict analysts
• Security sector personnel, law enforcement officers, and defense officials
• Women leaders in governance, parliaments, or political parties
• Staff from NGOs, CSOs, and INGOs working in peace, security, or protection programs
• UN agency personnel supporting peacebuilding or conflict-sensitive programming
• Gender specialists, WPS focal points, and human rights advocates
• Humanitarian workers involved in conflict response
• Researchers, academics, and policy advisors in peace and security fields

Duration

10 Days

Course Objectives

• Strengthen understanding of the gendered dimensions of peace, conflict, and security governance.
• Equip participants with skills to implement the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
• Build capacity to conduct gender-responsive conflict analysis and peacebuilding assessments.
• Enhance abilities to design inclusive peace processes and mediation strategies.
• Improve skills for preventing and responding to gender-based violence in conflict settings.
• Strengthen knowledge of security sector reform (SSR) and community security programming.
• Develop competencies in early warning, conflict prevention, and risk assessment.
• Equip learners to implement protection and human rights principles in peacebuilding.
• Strengthen digital peacebuilding skills, including online engagement and conflict-sensitive messaging.
• Enhance capacity to address emerging threats such as climate-induced conflict and violent extremism.
• Foster ethical leadership, accountability, and good governance in peace and security work.
• Build collaborative networks for sustained implementation of gender-responsive peace initiatives.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Gender, Peace, and Security

• The evolution of the WPS agenda
• Global frameworks, treaties, and commitments
• Gendered experiences of conflict and insecurity
• Case studies from conflict-affected regions

Module 2: Gender-Responsive Conflict Analysis

• Tools for conflict and gender analysis
• Drivers, triggers, and patterns of violence
• Intersectionality in conflict contexts
• Integrating findings into program design

Module 3: Peacebuilding Theory and Practice

• Peacebuilding approaches and methodologies
• Local vs. international peacebuilding dynamics
• Community-based peace structures
• Role of women in peacebuilding

Module 4: Mediation and Negotiation Skills

• Principles of inclusive mediation
• Negotiation techniques and conflict communication
• Power dynamics and gender-sensitive mediation
• Managing difficult stakeholders

Module 5: Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda

• UNC Resolution 1325 and related resolutions
• National Action Plans (NAPs) formulation and monitoring
• Institutionalizing WPS commitments
• Lessons from successful WPS implementers

Module 6: Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Gender

• Gender-responsive SSR frameworks
• Integrating women into police, military, and security forces
• Community policing and trust-building
• Oversight, accountability, and governance

Module 7: Protection and Human Rights in Conflict Settings

• Human rights principles and humanitarian law
• Protection mainstreaming and safeguarding
• GBV prevention and response in crises
• Supporting survivors of conflict-related violence

Module 8: Early Warning and Conflict Prevention

• Conflict early warning indicators
• Community-based monitoring systems
• Designing prevention strategies
• Linking early warning to early action

Module 9: Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE)

• Gender roles in radicalization and resilience
• Community strategies for P/CVE
• Reintegration of returnees and affected groups
• Case studies of women’s roles in P/CVE

Module 10: Climate Security and Environmental Peacebuilding

• Climate-related risks and conflict links
• Natural resource governance and peacebuilding
• Gender roles in climate resilience
• Environmental diplomacy

Module 11: Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus

• Coordination across sectors for lasting peace
• Integrating gender into triple nexus programming
• Supporting resilience and recovery pathways
• Localizing peace and security leadership

Module 12: Peace Operations and International Diplomacy

• Women in peacekeeping operations
• International diplomacy and multilateral engagement
• Civil-military coordination environments
• Mission planning and leadership

Module 13: Digital Peacebuilding and Security

• Cybersecurity and online conflict dynamics
• Digital activism and peace messaging
• Tech tools for peacebuilding and monitoring
• Countering misinformation and digital harms

Module 14: Leadership, Governance, and Institutional Influence

• Strategic leadership in peace and security sectors
• Influencing national and regional institutions
• Accountability, transparency, and ethics
• Leading reforms for gender equality

Module 15: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Designing gender-responsive M&E systems
• Indicators for peace and security outcomes
• Data collection in fragile contexts
• Reporting and adaptive learning

Module 16: Simulation, Strategy Development, and Action Planning

• Real-world scenario exercises and crisis simulations
• Designing gender-responsive peace and security strategies
• Peer review and collaborative reflection
• Development of personal or organizational action plans

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.