The second year of Sheridan College’s international development project, Gender Equality Policies and Training through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Kenya, was recently celebrated as a success. Two trips to Kenya were made by a Sheridan team, made up of faculty and staff, to carry on the important work of promoting gender equality.
In order to advance gender equality and policy development in 2021, Sheridan’s team partnered with 26 Kenyan TVET institutions in collaboration with Niagara College to improve infrastructure, develop essential tools, and raise awareness among various stakeholders.
The second year of this project built on the success of the first year by providing gender equality training to administrators and awareness workshops for government officials, as well as establishing and strengthening policies and procedures that promote safe learning environments, particularly for female trainees.
“This project has been a very fulfilling experience, and I am extremely grateful for it. According to Dr. Sara Cumming, a professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sheridan College, “collaborating with colleagues from a variety of sectors, disciplines, and countries has resulted in productive brainstorming sessions and comprehensive outcomes.” This is a fantastic opportunity for me to use my expertise in gender, employment, and social policy to assist Kenyan TVET institutions in promoting female employment and education.
One of the Kenyan participants stated, “We believe that the institutions involved will see long-term benefits as a result of their participation.” The training sessions represent a significant investment in the future of gender equality.
The partnership, now in its third year, will continue to build capacity and provide individualized support for gender equality to administrators, gender advocates, government policymakers, and business leaders.
