Gender centre for research and training

Background

The Gender Centre for Research and Training (GCRT) was established in 1997 to work towards raising awareness on gender concepts and to seek means and ways to ensure gender mainstreaming in development work and in government policies that are believed to be vital towards attaining and maintaining gender balance. The GCRT supports the advancement of Sudanese women through bridging the gender gap and enhancing the empowerment of women and equipping them with the needed skills to enjoy more equity in opportunities, choices and decision-making structures. The GCRT as a civil society organization is playing an imperative role among other women organizations to urge and lobby for the Sudanese women cause and the improvement of their situation. The GCRT contributes towards creating solidarity among women organizations through networking with active organizations in for instance the Sudanese Women Society Network for Peace, WILDAF, and the network for the elimination of FGM in Sudan (SUNAF) or the Human Rights and Legal Aid Network (HRLAN). The GCRT is founding member of the Sudanese Women Solidarity Network. 

In its structure the GCRT is led by the founders and board of associates who formulate policies, approve strategies and oversee the overall performance of the centre. Direct management is delegated to the executive director who runs the day-to-day business and ensures the implementation of the strategic plan. As for its programs the centre is divided into four units; the human rights, the network, the research and the training unit. The GCRT is registered under a business name. This was dictated by the restrictions of registering an NGO back in the 1990s. Transferring the centre to an NGO is an option at this time and has some advantages as for instance tax exemption and relative freedom to work in areas of political nature. On the other hand, due to the latest humanitarian work act the ability to solicit funds from external donors as an NGO is restrained. The centre needs to continuously monitor the situation to assess the pros and cons of its legal status.

Mission
Strongly affiliated with the civil society movement the GCRT is working towards the attainment of civic rights and gender equality in Sudan.
Vision
GCRT has developed capacities to mainstream rights in thinking, policies, and programs and has initiated powerful alliances through viable innovative approaches.

Strategic Aim
To instigate and support initiatives intended to realize gender equality within a politically conducive environment.

Strategic Objectives