For the first time Doctors of the World (DoW) delegations from all over the world get together in Madrid to give shape to a common definition of gender
Having a common understanding of what we mean by gender should not be given for granted. This is one of the reasons why 14 DoW delegations from Europe, Africa and Central America are gathering in Madrid for the first time for a 3-day seminar on 7th-9th March with the aim to showcase best practices on gender, empowerment and partnership and reach a common agreement. All delegations will also participate in the International Women’s Day demonstration on 8th March.
The 3-day event has been organised under the framework of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, a European programme dedicated to increasing the impact of volunteering by fostering a greater connection and sharing knowledge among organizations in Europe and those outside.
The structure of the seminar is horizontal, meaning that no organization is leading the others to a specific meaning of gender, but it is rather a knowledge-transfer where all partners share their views and speak up at the many workshops planned.
On the first day, Raúl Torres, the head of International Programmes, will be opening the event. A workshop on the meaning of gender led by the expert members from the Spanish delegation will follow. On the second day the main focus will be empowerment: everyone will have the chance to share their thoughts on what empowerment means to them as well as the results of previously conducted research and questionnaires. Good practices in both domestic and international programmes will also be discussed.
The day will conclude with everyone attending International Women’s Day march in central Madrid. On the third day, the seminar will shine a spotlight on the advantages and disadvantages of working in partnership.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, 8th March, falls on the second day of the seminar, and all participants have been asked to actively join the movement by not only attending the demonstration, but also designing themselves the banners they will hold during its course. The banners will represent strong women who made an impact in history and who also belong to the regions from where Doctors of the World partners are based. The heroines are:
- Gilda Rivera, Honduras;
- María Teresa Blandón, Nicaragua;
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigeria;
- Anna Gutsol, Ukraine.