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Man with microphone in training

Men's Engagement Training

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A group of employees from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company attend a Men's Engagement training.

Advancing girls and women in lucrative industries requires the leadership, participation, commitment, and allyship of men. Through change management coaching, coursework, and men's engagement trainings, Engendering Industries engages men to be workplace gender equality champions. 

Working closely with our partners, USAID’s Engendering Industries program identifies male gender equality champions within partner organizations and empowers them with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to advance gender equality across the workforce. Through workshops and trainings, delivered in partnership with Equimundo, men commit to concrete actions that advance gender equality at home, in communities, and the workplace. 

In 2022 Engendering Industries launched its men’s engagement training, developed in partnership with Equimundo. The training catalyzes workforce reflection and dialogue, and highlights the ways gender norms and inequalities lead to disparities in rights, workforce opportunities, and access to resources for men and women. 

Through group activity and individual reflection, the training promotes changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices to build equitable, respectful, and collaborative corporate cultures. 

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A group of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company employees participate in a Men's Engagement training.

Engaging Men as Change Agents and Allies

Engaging both men and women on gender equality within partner organizations is a necessity. It helps organizations more effectively address inequalities in employment outcomes and disparities in the way they run their businesses.

Some best practices include those that:

  • Recognizes male employees as critical stakeholders in achieving gender equality in the workplace.
  • Raises awareness among men on the ways gender equality benefits men. 
  • Encourages male employees to become mentors, allies, change agents, ambassadors, and sponsors, with active roles and responsibilities.
  • Supports men to become active participants and vocal supporters of gender equality, and publicly speak out against gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.
  • Fosters company dialogue between men and women to identify the goals of the corporate culture and how to achieve them.
  • Supports male leaders to model male allyship and encourage other male employees to participate.
  • Creates a safe space for men to talk about the negative impacts of patriarchy and toxic masculinity on men, while identifying opportunities to step out of traditional roles and patterns that don’t serve them.  
     

Read More in Our Engaging Men Training Manual

Resources