RWAMREC organises a training on Get Moving Program Phase 2

Get Moving Phase Two, a training that provides a platform/space for self reflection and thinking on issues related to GBV was organized by RWAMREC with the support from the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative.

Get Moving Phase two with its general objective of supporting each other through creative sessions and readings for strengthening our analysis of GBV prevention brought together 7 RWAMREC Staff and 2 RWAMREC Members on 4^th September 2010.

The Chairman of RWAMREC who opened the training started by thanking the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative for their invaluable financial and technical support that made the Get Moving phase one and two possible. He went on reminding the staff the fundamental philosophy behind the creation of the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative.

He mentioned that the network was created with an aim of providing to GBV prevention activists a room for reflection, analysis and action that lead to a deep transformative change at individual, organizational and community levels.

In addition, in his opening remarks he called upon all staff present to openly and actively share views, explore and meditate on the various topics of the three sessions.

The training methodology used was participatory whereby each of the staff members led and facilitated a session or a subject of the session.

A group of two facilitators started by discussing the three objectives of the get moving which are:

-To encourage personal reflection and learning among members to understand and be committed to a rights-based, feminist approach to GBV prevention.

-To foster reflection at an organizational level on values that include power sharing, shared authority and decision making.

- To create strategies with member organizations for reaching out to others with a rights-based analysis of GBV prevention.

They went on facilitating the power beliefs and root causes of power imbalances session.

Another group of facilitators (two for each session) presented on Human Right Based Programming and Feminism and Women's rights approaches to GBV.

Based on the contents of the topics, it was revealed that most of the time we never do human rights-based programming but a need-based programming approach and we never mind power imbalance in our own personal and professional lives, especially at workplace. Owing to the negative effects of this power imbalance and our own contribution to this power imbalance that fuels GBV, RWAMREC Staff decided to change our power dynamics to empower each other and feel powerful together instead of using our powers to abuse others. The staff also resolved to change its attitudes and practices in our daily work to uphold rights-based attitudes and language. The various exchanges and discussions helped the participants to get a better understanding of some critical things we take foEnregistrer en mode Brouillonr granted and which were used in a wrong way with good faith. For example, feminism was seen as something that has got a negative connotation related to radicalism, selfish interests, exclusion and hatred geared at revenge against men. However, our understanding is that they fight for a just cause that we all aspire to, they deal with issues that all of us have a stake in, and the benefits of women empowerment is beneficial not only to men as well but also to the entire family and community, and the world at large. So, this justifies our decision to work with and support feminist movements and ensure that the rights of women are respected and promoted in our work. RWAMREC staff reiterated the importance of working in partnership with women in all steps of GBV prevention and promotion of positive masculinity in Rwanda. We are also glad that we managed to do away with the terms like victims, beneficiaries, and related attitudes, as they are not synonymous of human rights-based programming approach.

Through the evaluation of the day, all the staff mentioned that this training presented several opportunities for them to reflect and think of follow on actions that will be taken as a result of this better understanding. The staff is now committed to nurture and demonstrate this change in the personal and professional life at workplace and home, or everywhere in order to make a difference. In the context of the organization's work, all staff committed to apply the skills acquired as a stepping stone to foster community reflection on equal rights between men and women and the need to become GBV prevention activists.

In conclusion, the get moving phase two was a success for us as it helped us think twice on things we take for granted, our everyday language, our attitudes, our understanding, etc. And reflected on way forward in efforts of ending GBV in partnership with other actors and partners in Rwanda.