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Ideal Workplace Solutions
NITA AccreditedAdvancedPhysical + Virtual10 daysTOWI801

Training on Women in Leadership and International Development

You will learn to navigate unconscious bias, gendered expectations, and cultural barriers to build your authority and influence effectively in a global context.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

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Duration

10 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Advanced

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

Women are increasingly taking leadership roles in shaping policies, organizations, and communities worldwide. However, challenges such as gender bias, cultural barriers, and limited access to decision-making platforms remain. This ten-day training course equips participants with the skills, strategies, and confidence to lead effectively in diverse organizational and international development contexts.

The course integrates leadership development, gender perspectives, cross-cultural management, and international development frameworks. Through interactive discussions, simulations, and case studies, participants will strengthen their leadership capabilities, improve communication and negotiation skills, and learn to drive inclusive development initiatives on the global stage.

Duration 

10 Days

Who Should Attend

  • Women leaders and aspiring leaders in government, NGOs, and international organizations

  • Female professionals working in international development, humanitarian, and advocacy sectors

  • Managers and executives aiming to strengthen gender-inclusive leadership practices

  • Academics, researchers, and consultants in gender and development studies

  • Male allies supporting women’s leadership in development contexts

Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the dynamics of leadership from a gender and cultural perspective

  • Apply international development frameworks with a focus on inclusivity

  • Strengthen strategic thinking, decision-making, and advocacy skills

  • Navigate challenges related to gender, power, and culture in leadership roles

  • Build resilience, confidence, and presence as women leaders in global contexts

  • Design and implement gender-responsive policies and development initiatives

Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Foundations of Leadership and Gender

  • Understanding leadership in the 21st century

  • Gender and leadership: barriers and opportunities

  • Global perspectives on women in leadership

  • Case study: Breaking barriers Women leaders in politics and development

Module 2: Emotional Intelligence and Self-Leadership

  • Self-awareness and self-regulation in leadership

  • Building resilience and confidence as women leaders

  • Emotional intelligence in multicultural environments

  • Activity: Self-assessment and personal leadership plan

Module 3: Communication, Influence, and Negotiation

  • Effective communication styles for women leaders

  • Assertiveness and overcoming stereotypes

  • Negotiation strategies for leadership and advocacy

  • Simulation: Negotiating for resources in an international NGO

Module 4: Gender, Power, and Development

  • Power dynamics in leadership and organizations

  • Gender mainstreaming in development policies

  • Addressing systemic barriers to women’s advancement

  • Case study: Gender equity in UN Sustainable Development Goals

Module 5: Strategic Leadership in International Development

  • International development frameworks and governance structures

  • Aligning leadership strategies with global development goals

  • Leading cross-border and cross-cultural teams

  • Activity: Designing a strategy for a global development project

Module 6: Policy Design and Gender-Responsive Leadership

  • Crafting policies that promote gender equality

  • Monitoring and evaluating gender-sensitive programs

  • Mainstreaming gender into organizational structures

  • Case study: Gender-responsive budgeting in development programs

Module 7: Leading Change and Advocacy

  • Change management and overcoming resistance

  • Building coalitions for gender equity

  • Advocacy strategies in international development

  • Simulation: Campaigning for women’s rights in a regional context

Module 8: Networking, Partnerships, and Collaboration

  • Building alliances in international organizations

  • Networking across borders and sectors

  • Collaboration and partnership-building skills

  • Activity: Developing a cross-sector partnership plan

Module 9: Ethics, Governance, and Accountability

  • Ethical leadership in development contexts

  • Transparency and accountability in leadership roles

  • Balancing cultural contexts with ethical standards

  • Case study: Women leaders tackling corruption in development projects

Module 10: Capstone Project and Action Planning

  • Integrating leadership and development skills into practice

  • Group project: Designing a gender-responsive international development initiative

  • Presentations and peer feedback

  • Personal leadership roadmap for post-training implementation

Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Stronger representation of women leaders in decision-making roles

  • More inclusive leadership practices within organizations and teams

  • Enhanced ability to design and implement gender-sensitive policies and programs

  • Strengthened organizational reputation in advancing gender equality in development

Individual Impact

  • Increased confidence and visibility as a leader in international settings

  • Improved communication, negotiation, and influence skills

  • Enhanced ability to design and lead gender-responsive initiatives

  • Broader networks and exposure to global development frameworks and practices

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

To empower women to take on leadership roles in international development, providing a strategic toolkit to overcome challenges and drive impactful, sustainable change.

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Course finder

Find the right course for you

Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.

For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Women in Leadership and International Development in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.

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