Course content Materials Minisite
Gender, Power & Consent Workshop
Part of our struggle as activists in creating a more equitable and just world is the need to rethink our ideas and practices around gender, power and consent. While the need for change in the world on these issues is overwhelming, the idea that we need to challenge our own practices in our movements and organisations is equally important. In an effort to contribute to this area of work, we at Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education have (in collaboration with Equal Education) created a set of materials for a workshop that can be run as presented here or adapted to your needs as required.
Key focus areas are:
- understanding how gender stereotypes are constructed;
- gender relations in organisational settings and social justice movements;
- types of sexual harassment and understanding consent.
We suggest facilitators start by having a discussion with participants about the necessity of being sensitive and respectful during the process, and how feelings of discomfort and vulnerability might arise but are part of the process of learning and change.
In addition to this facilitators working with organisations or other groups that will continue to work together in the future should conclude with the drawing up of a charter outlining a way forward that will foster a progressive and welcoming space for everyone participating in that space going forward.
Download the full Facilitator Guide
Session 1: Introduction
Activity 1: Some facts on global gender inequality
Objective:
This exercise is intended to highlight that the position of women is key to ANY struggle for social justice, whether it be health, housing, education, sexual harassment, or violence against women and girls.
Resources required:
Notes to facilitator:
Read the handout (there is a linked infographic that can be handed to participants to make the activity more visually engaging and accessible), and discuss responses with participants.
- What do these facts tell us about the world and the position of women in it?
- How do we feel about this?
Activity 2: What are the aims of this workshop?
Objective:
To give participants a sense of the day to come, and the direction in which the facilitators will be heading.
Resources required:
- N/A
- N/A
Notes to facilitator:
Outline the programme and the intended objectives:
- Understanding gender, gender stereotyping and discrimination, patriarchy and positionality;
- Understanding how these play out in our personal lives, and in our social and work spaces;
- Understanding consent, and which behaviours are unacceptable and harmful (such as sexual harassment);
- Developing a set of principles to foster an organisational culture that is a welcoming and safe space for all staff, in our day-to-day interactions and practices.
Session 1: Introduction
Activity 1: Some facts on global gender inequality
Objective:
This exercise is intended to highlight that the position of women is key to ANY struggle for social justice, whether it be health, housing, education, sexual harassment, or violence against women and girls.
Resources required:
Notes to facilitator:
Read the handout (there is a linked infographic that can be handed to participants to make the activity more visually engaging and accessible), and discuss responses with participants.
- What do these facts tell us about the world and the position of women in it?
- How do we feel about this?
Activity 2: What are the aims of this workshop?
Objective:
To give participants a sense of the day to come, and the direction in which the facilitators will be heading.
Resources required:
- N/A
- N/A
Notes to facilitator:
Outline the programme and the intended objectives:
- Understanding gender, gender stereotyping and discrimination, patriarchy and positionality;
- Understanding how these play out in our personal lives, and in our social and work spaces;
- Understanding consent, and which behaviours are unacceptable and harmful (such as sexual harassment);
- Developing a set of principles to foster an organisational culture that is a welcoming and safe space for all staff, in our day-to-day interactions and practices.
Activity 4: Sex, gender and sexuality
Session 2: Gender stereotyping & power relationships in society today
Activity 1: Addressing our own gender stereotypes. What does it mean to be told to “man-up” or “act like a lady”?Activity 2: Introduction to the social construction of gender
Activity 3: Gender stereotypes in our society and organisations
Session 3: The insidious nature of sexual harassment – creating a comfortable and welcoming environment
Activity 1: Sexual Harassment World Café
Session 4: Sexual harassment, consent and power
Activity 1: Introduction – Sexual harassment in organising spacesActivity 2: Sexual harassment myths and realitiesActivity 3: Envisioning a culture of consent
Session 5: A charter to foster a progressive and welcoming space
Activity 1: Creating a charter
Other resources & activities
Resource/Activity 1: Visual glossary Resource/Activity 2: Tea & Consent