Regional Workshop on Gender and Qualitative Tools of Research
Beirut, October 2000

For a second time in two consecutive months, the MACHREQ/MAGHREB Gender Linking and Information Project (MAC/MAG GLIP) organized a "Regional Workshop on Gender and Qualitative Tools of Research." Once again, representatives of local development organizations from the Arab region, including Yemen, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Sudan and Lebanon arrived to Beirut in October 2000 to actively participate in the four-days workshop.

The fundamental aim of the workshop was to introduce gender as an important category of analysis, to point out the different needs and interests of women and men, to increase gender awareness and to reduce the existing gender bias that underline the assumptions and behavior of patriarchal institutions. Another generic aim of the workshop was to equip the participants with qualitative tools of research that serve as effective means for gender mainstreaming, program development, empowerment and advocacy at the level of grassroots NGOs. 

As participatory methods were adopted, including group work, simulation, role plays, and other active forms of input, the participants gradually delved into the objectives of the workshop which included:

• Exploring the issue of women and gender subordination, and their impact on women and developing a critique of gender and gender stereotypes
• Exploring Feminism and Patriarchy across the spectrum of time
• Strengthening skills in qualitative research in gender studies and integrating these skills in program assessment, analysis, planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Strengthening the practical skills and conceptual knowledge of gender and women's issues
• Exchanging experiences, successes, and challenges ahead

Participants field tested the new tools and skills with the support and collaboration of local development organisations in Lebanon.
On the last day of the workshop, participants put forth their own initiatives for organizational change by formulating draft strategies and workplans that would induce positive alteration in institutions where gender equity has been forever absent. Recommendations were also made regarding further collaboration with GLIP, and emphasis was placed on establishing an electronic information network linking the concerned parties in order to facilitate interaction that would lead to anticipated progress. Finally, participant NGOs will be formulating proposals for action oriented qualitative research which will be studies and recommended for support by a regional selection committee.