Gender Action Learning System (GALS)

What are GALS?

• GALS is a structured community-led empowerment methodology, aiming at sustainable improvements in livelihoods, gender justice, and constructive influence in decision making, programming, and economic planning.
• It uses simple diagramming tools (trees, circle maps, road journeys), in a system of individual and collective life and livelihood planning and gender advocacy for change, institutional awareness-raising, and changing power relationships.
• Participatory methodology to change unequal power relations that disadvantage women in economic inclusion
• Action to be taken on individual, household, and community levels – changes in power relations in household, community, market/economic system

GALS for Whom?

• For women and men to develop their visions to change and identify strengths, achievements, and collective work to address the gender inequality at the family and community levels
• GALS works with poor, uneducated, and non-organized income women and men
• GALS tools can be adapted to generalize gender mainstreaming in any sector for example economic development, life-enhancing planning, livelihoods, value chain improvement, environmental management, health, etc

The Process of Change:

• collectively identifying issues that harm women`s participation in the economy (e.g. using a problem tree on causes and consequences)
• Discussing strategies for change, setting milestones for change
• Monitoring progress towards achieving the vision
   

Number of beneficiaries: 1000 individuals, 500 women, 500 men

Targeted areas: 6 areas: Kubba, Sherikhan Alui, Sherikhan Sufli, Hawi al-Kanisa, Abbasiya, and Yarmja.

Number of sessions: 5 sessions

1. Dreams:

• What does it mean to be happy?
• What does it mean to live in a happy family and society?
• What are the challenges you face to realize this dream?

2-Different Lives

• How does the life of women differ from that of men?
• How do women's and men's life chances differ?

3-Power and conflict

• Common sources of conflict and the difference in the balance of power in the family and in society
• What are the causes and negative consequences of this conflict?
• Think about change and find appropriate solutions to this conflict?

4-Women’s Economic Participation and Empowerment

• What are the obstacles that women face without obtaining income?
• Think about change and find solutions to these problems?

5-Commitment to Change

• Pledge for change and see a happy future for family and society