ECOM Conducts Training for Trainers on Advocacy for Trans People's Rights

ECOM continues to develop the capacity and expertise of the LGBT community in the field of human rights advocacy. Participants of the training “Education as a component of advocacy activities” completed a two-day crash course on the main forms and methods of conducting educational events that can be used in advocacy activities of trans NGOs and initiative groups in the countries of the EECA region. 10 activists from Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Georgia received 2-day training.

“We at ECOM set ourselves ambitious goals to promote access to health services for trans people. This training enhances the professionalism and expertise of trans people as trainers so that they can effectively do advocacy work in their countries: with doctors, members of country coordinating committees, journalists, bloggers,” comments Elena German, ToT trainer, Capacity Building Coordinator at ECOM.

Over these two days, the participants studied the theory of conducting educational events for various target groups, formed the skills of managing group dynamics, gained skills in working with difficult participants and put these skills into practice, practiced conducting training courses and other information events and using them in advocacy activities.

 

“This is the second such training in my practice, and I can say that it strengthened my theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This is important in the context of future work, as we are advocating to ensure that our national legislation is non-discriminatory and has a trans competent system of health care and service delivery. To do this, we need to train people who make decisions and provide services, first of all, in the field of health care,” comments Anastasia Eva Domani, training participant, NGO “Kohorta”, Ukraine. “Now, because of the Russian war in Ukraine, we have losses among friendly doctors. That's why one of our priorities will be training more doctors on how to work with trans people.”

The representative from Ukraine noted that it is also important to work with a wider target audience of officials, journalists, to tell them about the needs and ethical aspects regarding trans people. This helps reduce stigma and discrimination in everyday life against trans people.

The training was held as part of the Trans* Map in EECA project.