ATYAF

Empowering Yemeni NGOs: Advocacy , Influencing,Gender & Human/Women Rights Capacity Building Trainings

ATYAF
Feb 28, 2025By ATYAF

Introduction


In a concerted effort to empower local civil society, ATYAF for Studies and Consultations, in partnership with Oxfam Yemen and with funding from the European Union, conducted a comprehensive capacity-building program. This initiative, part of the "Empowering Women's Rights Organizations and Civil Society Organizations" project, aimed to strengthen the capabilities of 10 civil society organizations (CSOs)—including seven women's rights organizations (WROs)—across the governorates of Aden, Hadramout, Shabwa, Marib, and Taiz.


The program was designed based on a detailed capacity assessment that identified key gaps in monitoring human and women's rights violations, advocacy, risk management, and public awareness. This assessment helped tailor a customized training plan for 50 participants, including human rights defenders (HRDs), who were selected for their previous experience, neutrality, and commitment to local community work. The goal was to equip them with the skills to address gender, human rights, and protection issues effectively.
Capacity Development Approach Needs Assessment & Planning.A thorough needs assessment was conducted for the 10 CSOs to pinpoint their specific capacity gaps. The findings revealed that all thematic areas were critical, with advocacy and influencing strategies and risk management being identified as the most crucial areas for development by 80% of the organizations. Following this assessment, ATYAF developed tailored capacity development plans for each organization, outlining targeted interventions, timelines, and resource allocation. These plans were created in collaboration with the organizations themselves and reviewed by Oxfam to ensure alignment with project goals.


Training Methodology


Conducted over 20 days in February 2025, the training program utilized highly interactive methods such as group exercises and case studies to ensure practical skill development. ATYAF selected expert trainers with over eight years of experience who were well-versed in the local context. The training focused on:

  • Gender analysis and gender-based violence (GBV) response.
  • Advocacy, influencing, and risk management strategies.
  • Human and women's rights monitoring and referral skills.
  • Digital safety and protection strategies.


Educational materials, including training guides and brochures, were provided to support ongoing learning.


Training Results & Achievements

The training program successfully enhanced the knowledge and skills of all participants, demonstrating significant progress in each thematic area. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated through pre- and post-evaluations, which showed a clear improvement in knowledge and behavior.


1. Advocacy, Influencing, & Risk Management

This training successfully developed participants' practical and theoretical skills in advocacy and influence strategies, contributing to social justice and equality in their communities.

  •  Understanding and Applying Advocacy Principles: 85% of participants demonstrated the ability to apply key advocacy principles, exceeding the 80% target:
  • Developing Strategic Plans: 95% of participants successfully designed actionable strategic plans, surpassing the 90% target.
  • Analyzing Local Context: 90% of participants acquired the skills to prepare a comprehensive analytical report on local dynamics, exceeding the 85% target.
  •  Managing Risks: 88% of participants developed and articulated a three-step risk management strategy, surpassing the 85% target.
  • Building Alliances & Networks: 95% of participants successfully formed a network of more than five effective alliances, exceeding the 90% target.


2. Gender and Social Inclusion and Feminist Approach:


This training enhanced participants' understanding of gender issues and social inclusion, providing them with the necessary tools to promote equality and support women's leadership:

  • Enhanced Understanding of Gender: 100% of the participants showed a deep understanding of basic gender concepts and demonstrated the ability to apply them.
  • Gender Analysis Skills: All participants were equipped with and successfully utilized at least two reliable gender analysis measurement tools.
  • Developed Women’s Leadership Skills: Participants successfully enhanced their leadership skills, with a focus on communication and negotiation, and demonstrated the ability to influence their communities effectively.
  • Awareness of GBV & International Agreements: Participants' awareness of gender-based violence and international agreements like UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW was significantly increased, with participants demonstrating knowledge of how to implement these locally.


3. Human / Women's Rights Violations Monitoring & Referral Pathways


This training enabled participants to effectively monitor, document, and refer cases of violations while adhering to ethical and safe practices:

  •  Understanding Human & Women's Rights: Participants successfully grasped the basic concepts of human and women's rights and were able to analyze local and international contexts of violations.
  • Skills in Monitoring & Documenting: Participants were equipped with the necessary methods and tools to document violations professionally and objectively, including the use of photos, videos, and testimonies.
  • Application of Protection & Referral Mechanisms: Participants gained knowledge on how to protect victims and refer cases to competent authorities, including medical, legal, and psychological support. They were also introduced to the case management system.
  • Ethical & Safe Practices: Participants demonstrated the ability to apply ethical practices during documentation, emphasizing the importance of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of victims.


Conclusion and Future Outlook


The capacity-building program successfully enhanced the skills and knowledge of participants, with evaluation results showing a clear improvement in both knowledge and behavior. This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening local civil society in Yemen, empowering organizations to apply their new knowledge in their local contexts to promote social justice and human rights. The program’s success provides a solid foundation for future capacity development initiatives and highlights the importance of sustained support for gender , human/women Rights and protection issues.