Deadline: 6 July 2025
The Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut and Politics4Her invites applications to participate in the 2025 Regional Action Workshop for Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA), a two-day convening that will bring together a diverse, cross-sectoral group of stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality in and through education.
Why Attend?
This workshop will build on regional declarations and the World We Want Call to Action, moving beyond dialogue to develop concrete, context-responsive strategies and tools that advance Gender Transformative Education (GTE) in SWANA.
By participating, you will:
- Contribute to the development of regional action plans, policy recommendations, and advocacy frameworks.
- Join feminist, youth-led, governmental, academic, and multilateral actors to collectively tackle intersectional barriers to education.
- Help shape and implement inclusive education systems that address key issues such as school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), education in emergencies (EiE), and curriculum reform.
- Be part of a long-term movement to influence the post-2030 global education and gender agenda.
What It’s About
The FemNet4GTE 2025 SWANA Regional Action Workshop is a strategic, feminist convening aimed at shaping the future of gender transformative education in the region. This is not just a meeting—it is a collaborative space for action, grounded in lived experiences and regional priorities.
Over two days, participants will:
- Analyze key challenges to achieving gender equality in education across SWANA, including school-related gender-based violence, education in emergencies, exclusion of marginalized groups, and harmful gender norms in curricula.
- Build on the 2024 regional declarations and the World We Want Call to Action, translating them into tangible, actionable plans for policy, practice, and advocacy.
- Co-develop regional strategies and impact frameworks that reflect intersectional realities and can be implemented at both national and regional levels.
- Engage in thematic working groups focused on priority areas like curriculum reform, inclusive education, accountability, and education system resilience in conflict settings.
- Forge cross-sectoral partnerships, connecting policymakers, civil society, academics, and activists to build a stronger, more coordinated movement for education justice.
- Shape a regional advocacy roadmap that reflects feminist principles and prepares the ground for influencing post-2030 education and gender equality agendas.
This is a workshop about solutions, solidarity, and strategy—a space to move from commitment to implementation, and to strengthen the feminist education movement across the SWANA region.
What to Expect
The workshop will be:
- Feminist and participatory, co-created with participants.
- Focused on collaborative knowledge-building, co-design of GTE strategies, and policy engagement.
- Supported by pre- and post-workshop consultations and surveys to ensure meaningful participation and accountability.
- Accessible, with reasonable accommodations and interpretation services based on participant needs.
- Participants will also be part of regional and global follow-up processes, including the UNGA convening and all-network virtual events in 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- Civil Society Organizations: Feminist and education-focused NGOs, grassroots advocates.
- Educators, Scholars, and Researchers: Experts in gender, education, policy, and curriculum reform.
- Government Representatives: From ministries of education and gender.
- Multilaterals and Development Partners: Supporting GTE initiatives.
- Young Feminist Activists and Student Leaders: Leading efforts in gender justice and education.
- Funders and Donors: Supporting feminist and education movements.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as LGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, and those from conflict-affected or marginalized communities, particularly in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.
Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected based on:
- Regional and sectoral balance, ensuring cross-country and cross-sector representation.
- Commitment to GTE demonstrated through prior experience, advocacy, or research.
- Intersectional perspectives, especially from those most impacted by gender inequality in education.
- Capacity to contribute to policy development, advocacy, and collective action.
How to Apply
If you are interested in shaping the future of gender-transformative education in SWANA, we encourage you to apply by July 06, 2025.
For More Information
For questions, please contact Carla Akil at ca103@aub.edu.lb or Amal Ouachhou at amal.o@politics4her.com
Join us in Cyprus and be part of a feminist, inclusive, and transformative movement for education justice in SWANA.