The 2nd Training Workshop on Gender Equality for the Eastern Nile Countries was held from April 22 to 23, 2025.

The training workshop on Gender Equality has been conducted in Nairobi Kenya with the primary goal of providing participants with a foundational understanding of gender equality concepts, particularly in relation to transboundary water issues. Additionally, the workshop aims to equip participants with practical skills to effectively incorporate gender considerations into their planned activities, projects, and programs.

The training workshop commences with welcoming remarks from ENTRO Acting Executive Director, Eng. Teshome Atnafie. Engineer Teshome provides a warm welcome to all participants and consultants attending the Gender Mainstreaming training. Acting ED emphasized that gender roles can influence vulnerability to climate change, highlighting the importance of gender equality in all development decisions. This includes the composition of participants, procedures, and cultures within development organizations, as well as the responsibility of both men and women. 

Acting ED underscores the crucial role of women as key actors in driving positive change. The meeting is expected to serve as a platform for exchanging insights into the current situation, potential future directions, and mechanisms for promoting gender-sensitive programs, projects, policies, strategies, and actions. 

Eng. Teshome expresses his hope for fruitful deliberations throughout the workshop. Accordingly Acting ED invites ENSAPT Member Eng. Thomas Jank to make his remarks. 

ENTRO Acting Executive Director, Eng.Teshome Atnafie.

Thus, Eng. Thomas expressed his gratitude to ENTRO for the efforts put into organizing the workshop and emphasized the importance of enhancing gender engagement within institutions.

 He highlighted the need for both men and women to contribute to the water sector, noting the low representation of women in attendance. Despite government mandates for female representation, progress has been slow, especially in countries like South Sudan. Eng. Thomas also thanks the World Bank, and CIWA. 

                             ENSAPT Member Eng. Thomas Jank  

Dr. Zebene Lakew, Chair of ENSAPT, warmly welcomed participants to the 2nd Training Workshop on Gender Equality for the Eastern Nile Countries. He stressed the significance of the training, stating that it would foster a more inclusive and fairer environment for policymaking, decision-making, and project implementation.

Dr. Zebene underscored the necessity of gender equality in all projects, from the grassroots level to high-level decision-making processes. Dr. Zebene Lakew, Chair of ENSAPT, officially opened the meeting. 

Dr. Zebene Lakew, Chair of ENSAPT

 The meeting included presentations by consultants Ellen Hagerman, specializing in Gender and Social Inclusion, and Fekahmed Negash Nuru, an expert in Water Resources Management, Transboundary Waters, and hydro diplomacy. Following the presentations, participants from Ethiopia, Egypt, South Sudan, and Sudan engaged in group discussions and reflections.