Azam Welfare Foundation focuses on providing free education, health services, nutrition, and support for elderly citizens. A gender policy aims to ensure equality and non-discrimination across all services and activities. The policy reflects the commitment to addressing gender disparities and fostering an inclusive environment for all genders. Here’s a gender policy framework that AWF follows:

Gender Policy Framework

1. Purpose and Commitment: AWF is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering all genders across its programs, including education, health services, nutrition, and elderly care. This policy aims to ensure that no individual is discriminated against or excluded based on their gender. We are committed to creating an environment that is equitable, respectful, and responsive to the needs of people of all genders while addressing historical imbalances.
2. Objectives:
• Ensure equal access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and elderly care for all genders.
• Prevent and address gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination.
• Promote gender-sensitive programming that considers the diverse needs of people based on their gender.
• Empower women, girls, and other marginalized genders through specific initiatives and advocacy.
• Advocate for the equal participation of all genders in decision-making processes, particularly in program design and implementation.
• Ensure gender-responsive data collection, monitoring, and evaluation.
3. Gender-Sensitive Education:
• Ensure that all educational programs are inclusive and do not perpetuate gender stereotypes.
• Provide equal opportunities for girls, boys, and non-binary individuals in all educational activities and materials.
• Implement policies to address the specific challenges that girls, women, and marginalized genders face in accessing education, such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and lack of sanitary facilities.
• Promote gender awareness and empowerment programs within schools and community outreach.
4. Gender Equality in Health Services:
• Provide gender-responsive healthcare services that address the specific needs of all genders, including reproductive health, mental health, and general wellness.
• Ensure women, men, and marginalized genders have equal access to healthcare services.
• Address healthcare barriers specific to women and girls, such as maternal health and gender-based violence-related health services.
• Incorporate gender-sensitive training for healthcare providers to improve care for all genders.
5. Gender-Responsive Nutrition:
• Promote nutrition programs that meet the specific dietary needs of women, men, girls, boys, and elderly people, considering differences in gender roles and responsibilities.
• Address gender disparities in nutrition, particularly for pregnant and lactating women, children, and elderly individuals.
• Advocate for community-based solutions that provide equitable access to food and nutrition education for all genders.
6. Gender and Elderly Care:
• Ensure that elderly citizens, regardless of gender, have access to services that promote their well-being, including healthcare, nutrition, and social support.
• Recognize and address the specific needs of elderly women and men, such as age-related diseases and social isolation.
• Ensure that elderly women are not excluded from decision-making in family and community settings.
7. Gender Equality in Organizational Culture:
• Ensure equal opportunities for all genders in employment, leadership, and decision-making within the organization.
• Implement anti-harassment policies and establish grievance mechanisms to address gender-based discrimination or violence within the workplace.
• Provide training for staff at all levels on gender sensitivity, gender equality, and how to integrate gender considerations into all programs.
• Promote leadership and capacity-building programs specifically for women and marginalized genders.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Regularly assess the impact of the organization’s programs on different genders to ensure they do not inadvertently exacerbate gender inequalities.
• Collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data to better understand the needs of different genders and to improve program outcomes.
• Use feedback from the community to refine and improve the gender policy and related initiatives.
9. Advocacy and Community Engagement:
• Advocate for policies at local, national, and international levels that promote gender equality in education, health, nutrition, and elderly care.
• Encourage community engagement and discussions around gender equality to challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes.
10. Accountability:
• AWF has established clear mechanisms for accountability within the organization to ensure that gender equality principles are upheld.
• Provide avenues for individuals (staff, beneficiaries, and community members) to report grievances related to gender discrimination and ensure swift resolution.