How to build career expertise in gender equality and social inclusion

As the world continues to grapple with the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, the urgency of achieving gender equality — Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 has never been more evident. Women, who have been nearly twice as likely to lose their jobs compared to men in the wake of the pandemic, face an alarming lack of policy measures addressing their economic insecurity. In addition, according to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, or UNDP, men and other groups are also facing increasing challenges, as “rigid gender norms can result in risky behavior resulting in violence, poor health, and lower life expectancy.” Amid this complex landscape, the transformative power of gender equality and social inclusion, or GESI, echoes louder than ever. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, the potential benefits are compelling. Reducing gender-based discrimination through the right policy measures could spur a significant annual increase in the world's GDP growth rate, from the projected 0.03 to 0.6 percentage points by 2030. In the realm of global development, the path to building expertise in GESI is far from linear. From supporting a restorative justice organization in South Africa to working with deaf young adults through the U.S. Peace Corps Philippines, Shauna Aron Caria’s journey has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, each contributing to her deep-rooted passion for gender equality and social inclusion. As the GESI global practice lead at Chemonics International, she told Devex that every work opportunity has helped her develop solid practical skills to translate theory to practice. This is why she reminds aspiring professionals that “no path is linear, but if you trust your choices and give 100 percent to everything you do, you will learn so much and you will succeed, one task, one assignment at a time,” she said. So, how can aspiring GESI professionals find their own path? From facilitating dialogue to analyzing complex intersections, three experts shared their thoughts on the skills needed to drive meaningful change in the social inclusion and gender equity space. Lead with an intersectional approach Individuals do not exist within a single identity category. Intersectionality moves beyond simplistic categorizations and acknowledges that people’s experiences are shaped by the complex interplay of multiple identities and systems of oppression. Understanding this is important to develop effective inclusivity strategies. “This can help us to think about the diversity within groups like ‘women’, and analyze the intersectional factors that lead to different experiences and opportunities within particular gender or social groups,” said Angie Dazé, director of GESI resilience at the International Institute for Sustainable Development. For instance, a black woman may face both gender and racial discrimination, which can create unique barriers to equality and social inclusion. For those just getting started with intersectional analysis, Dazé advised avoiding generalizations. To do this, Caria encourages aspiring professionals to go beyond numbers and statistics, instead complementing data with qualitative information and narratives about individual experiences. Dazé also recommended challenging assumptions by asking “why?” Rather than viewing vulnerability as an inherent trait of a particular group, she believes that it’s helpful to shift the focus toward understanding the structural and systemic factors that make some people more vulnerable than others — for example, why are women categorized as being at higher risk to the effects of climate change. Intersectionality can also be overwhelming at times. To navigate this, Mariana Vazquez del Mercado, a GESI integration manager at Tetra Tech, suggested narrowing down the intersections to contextually relevant identities that align with the specific program or action being implemented. Facilitation and analytical skills Facilitation skills are crucial in this field given that much of the work involves training, dialogue, and co-development of knowledge, Dazé said. She also highlighted how collaborating on GESI issues can be delicate, as it often involves dealing with sensitive topics that may challenge people’s social and cultural beliefs, so being able to navigate tricky conversations is helpful. Likewise, GESI teams often work with other international development professionals that are not GESI experts, Caria pointed out. In this context, she said that people skills and fostering trust-based relationships are important for building successful interventions. Working in this space also involves interpreting data and learning about different sectors, said Caria, which is then translated into inclusivity strategies. In light of this, Caria and Dazé both agreed that strong analytical skills are indispensable. There are many courses to improve upon such skills. Dazé recommended taking the Government of Canada’s free course on Gender-Based Analysis Plus. Vazquez del Mercado encouraged aspiring development practitioners to consider the Georgetown Certificate on Gender Peace and Security or one of Cynara’s courses. Empathy-driven listening “GESI issues are dynamic and our understanding is always evolving”, said Dazé. This is why she believes that commitment to listening and learning is possibly the most important quality aspiring professionals need to foster. Congruently, Caria stressed to “never assume you know what someone needs — instead, ask.” Highlighting how this is particularly important for development programs because solutions are most effective when co-created with the diverse communities they serve. In a similar style, Vazquez del Mercado encouraged honesty when it comes to assessing what you know and what you do not know, and embracing what you don’t with confidence. “This is a field where many questions are being raised and will continue to be raised so that we all grow, so ask away,” Vazquez del Mercado said. Empathy can also play an important role in effectively listening and learning from others, according to Caria. “Recognizing the individual experiences of others helps you understand, support, and respond to both individual needs and complex global challenges that impact people and communities,” she said. Build supportive networks GESI challenges require collective efforts to bring about meaningful change. Dazé recommended attending events, both virtual and in-person, as well as finding people who share similar interests and potential mentors. “The GESI community is by its nature a supportive network full of people who are committed to mentoring the next generation,” Dazé said. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to people and don’t be discouraged if you don’t get an immediate response, Dazé emphasized. “Keep trying — when you connect with the right person to act as a mentor, you will both know it,” she said. Also remember that as a field, GESI can be demanding and emotionally challenging. Connecting with others who share similar passions can help foster resilience. Caria recommended joining GESI industry membership groups such as the SID-US Inclusive Development Workgroup. Ultimately, for networking to be effective, “it has to feel genuine and from the heart,” Caria said. One should aim to celebrate successes, share knowledge, and strive to lift each other up. Likewise, if you want to build community, Vazquez del Mercado advised being generous with your knowledge and compassionate with others’ learning paths. At the end of the day, “if one succeeds — we all do,” Caria concluded.