Page 66 - CIWA AR25

Cross-Cutting Themes: Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

GENDER EQUALITY

& SOCIAL INCLUSION

In FY25, the Male Champions for Women’s Empowerment These training sessions deepened participants’ understanding of
(MCWE) initiative continued to advance its mission of gender concepts (e.g., gender equality within the transboundary
promoting gender equality within transboundary water water context, social inclusion, and male engagement) to equip
institutions across SSA. Building on the successes of the them with the tools to effectively integrate gender considerations
previous year, the program expanded its reach and deepened its throughout the project cycle.
impact through events and activities.
CIWA also provided technical assistance to Male Champions,
The initiative recruited 13 new Male Champions from all SSA including guidance and technical resources to LCBC and
regions, expanding the diversity and geographic representation ENTRO, responding to requests for support to enhance
within the program, which now includes 24 members. This efforts to address gender inequalities. To provide additional
expansion was part of CIWA’s strategic plan to ensure a broad and opportunities for Male Champions to learn about
inclusive approach to gender equality across different regions reducing inequalities, CIWA co-hosted an
and include civil society, youth organizations, academia, and Experience Exchange Seminar, “How can
government Ministries, thereby expanding the initiative’s reach. men support the challenges women
face in transboundary water
Throughout the year, the Male Champions participated in institutions?,” in partnership with
several broader capacity‑building workshops and consultation the Women in Water Diplomacy
sessions. CIWA provided a two-day GESI training session for Network, in September 2024.
ENTRO as part of its launch of the Eastern Nile Basin Gender Representatives from 43
Forum, along with an online training session for members of MCWE. countries learned from

66