Changing Mindsets in the Early Years
Gender-based violence and the harmful effects of gender biases and stereotypes remain significant challenges in society. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, starting in the earliest years of a child’s development. Recognizing this, Ntataise developed an ECD Programme, Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence. This initiative seeks to foster gender equality and inclusivity by equipping those who work with and care for young children to guide their understanding of gender roles positively.
The programme incorporates:
- Training in Gender-Responsive Pedagogy: Equipping educators and caregivers with the tools to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.
- Activity-Based Materials for Children: Resources that challenge stereotypes and promote understanding of diverse roles and identities.
- Parent and Community Outreach: Engaging families and communities to reinforce positive messages and practices around gender equality.
Insights from the Programme: Lessons Learned
Ntataise has documented the journey and findings of this initiative in its learning brief, Breaking Barriers – Building Inclusive Communities for Gender Equality: An ECD Intervention: Lessons Learned. This comprehensive resource reflects on the pilot programme’s successes and challenges, highlighting how Ntataise Network members and partners have adapted the initiative to suit diverse contexts and needs.
The learning brief also includes:
- The Pilot Evaluation Report: An in-depth analysis of the programme’s impact and outcomes.
- A Programme Summary Infographic: A visually engaging overview of the initiative and its key takeaways.
Through these efforts, Ntataise remains committed to fostering gender equality from the ground up, creating a ripple effect that benefits individuals, families, and communities. By shaping young minds in the early years, the programme is helping to break cycles of violence and inequality, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.