The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has taken a significant step towards enhancing gender equity and social inclusion by launching a revised gender policy. This initiative, unveiled as part of the Centre’s new strategic objectives for 2024-2028, aims to empower women and youth, fostering peace, stability, and development within the KAIPTC community.
The policy’s launch, following a two-week sensitisation workshop for staff, marks a decade of KAIPTC’s commitment to gender mainstreaming. A key component of the revised policy is the appointment of 20 Gender Focal Persons (GFPs) across various units and departments. These GFPs will monitor and drive the implementation of gender mainstreaming efforts, ensuring the Centre’s objectives are met.
The Commandant of the KAIPTC, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, emphasised that the policy signifies a crucial milestone in their dedication to gender equality, positioning KAIPTC as a leader in the peace and security sector. He stressed that the policy’s success relies on the collective engagement and active contribution of all staff, fostering a more inclusive and gender-responsive work environment.
The acting Director of the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI), Horname Noagbesenu, outlined the policy’s terms of reference, which include integrating gender perspectives into all institutional policies, procedures, training, research, and administrative processes.
The GFPs will play a vital role in establishing gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, advocating for policy implementation, and preventing gender-based discrimination. Furthermore, the GFPs are tasked with developing partnerships with external stakeholders, promoting gender-responsive budgeting, and advocating for gender-friendly facilities. They will also regularly assess the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming efforts within their respective departments. The initiative, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), underscores KAIPTC’s commitment to creating a model institution for gender inclusion and equality.