Gender is fast becoming a recurrent theme in development work globally. It’s importance is evidenced by its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a roadmap for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind.  The fifth goal (SDG 5) aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. However, achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Hence, the importance of gender integration into all development projects cannot be underscored.

Recent donor trends have shown that gender diversity on boards of organizations, as well as ownership and implementation of gender policies and gender action plans are constituting critical requirements for successful grant applications and funding.  Aside from these requirements, it is important that staff members are trained on gender so they can successfully implement their project deliverables from with a gender lens view.

The goal of the Certificate Course in Gender for Development is to build the capacity of participants on gender and its multi-faceted application to development.