Annual observances such as Women’s History Month [16] and International Women’s Day [17] are useful tools for highlighting some of the many accomplishments of women as well as drawing much-needed attention to gender-based disparities around the globe.
But the work for gender equity—and its accompanying successes and struggles—is ongoing. That’s why last year IREX launched its Gender Community of Practice to share and deepen our organization’s knowledge and expertise around gender in international development.
This is part of a larger ongoing effort in which IREX staff self-identify their experience and interest in gender [18], conflict resolution [19], youth [20], and/or technology [21]. Each Community of Practice has its own priorities, but all of them are sharing best practices across IREX programs and engaging in discussions with outside experts and organizations on the latest thinking in their respective fields. We anticipate that these efforts will make our programs even more effective through a combination of thoughtful reflection and concrete enhancements. For example, leaving behind the view that “women’s programs,” as important as they are, are the full extent of gender programming, IREX is working to examine how women and men experience all of our activities and approaches differently. I hope you’ll take the time to read a few of the inspiring stories we’ve featured over the past few weeks in celebration of women and their achievements and promoting gender awareness.
• International Women’s Day: Views from A Kenyan Teacher [22]
• Somali Woman Leverages Media for Peace [23]
• Bride-napping Drama Engages Boys in Gender Discussion [24]
• From Nebraska to Pakistan, Fellow Brings Home New Inspiration [25]
• Women of the World: History in the Making [26]
W. Robert Pearson [27] is the President of IREX