What does it mean to become a member of the Endorsers’ Circle?
Members of the Endorsers’ Circle are organizations that have formally and publicly endorsed the Minimum Standards for Mainstreaming Gender Equality (referred to as the Gender Standards).
This means that your organization agrees that the Gender Standards are the minimum bar for gender equality mainstreaming in your organization widely and specifically in programs. Endorsing the Gender Standards means that your organization agrees to the value, approach, and level described in each standard individually and in total.
We recognize that many organizations do not currently meet the requirements of all eight standards. It is not required for an organization to achieve all the standards to become an endorser. Rather, joining the Endorsers’ Circle means that your organization commits to adopting and realizing the Gender Standards over time.
Organizations that become a member of the Endorsers’ Circle are joining a community of like-minded institutions that are committed to furthering gender equality as a core aspect of international development and humanitarian assistance.
What kinds of organizations can become a member of the Endorsers’ Circle?
The Gender Standards are intended to support all organizations working in the field of international development and humanitarian response. Any organizations, whether implementers, donors, or partners are welcome to endorse the Gender Standards if they are committed to promoting gender equality in their operations, culture, and programming.
How can my organization become a member of the Endorsers’ Circle?
We invite organizations to become an official member of the Endorsers’ Circle by following these steps:
1. Get approval and commitment from your organizational leadership
2. Establish a Point of Contact (POC) from your organization regarding the Gender Standards
3. Have the POC fill out the Gender Standards Endorsers’ Circle Request Form
4. Email info@genderstandards.org with “Gender Standards Endorser” in the subject line, and attach a high-res image of your organization’s logo
5. If the POC changes at any time, please notify info@genderstandards.org
All submissions will first be reviewed, and a confirmation will be sent once your organization is approved.
What are Endorsers’ Circle members required to do?
Your organization’s name and logo will be shared publicly on this website as an endorser of the Gender Standards. We will also announce new endorsers on the site.
We also ask that new endorsers write a blog post that we will share on the website to announce your endorsement.
There is no fee or other requirement to become an endorser.
What are the benefits of becoming a member of the Endorsers’ Circle?
As a member of the #GenderStandards Endorsers Circle, you:
- Show you are a leader in promoting gender equality in international development and humanitarian assistance
- Differentiate your organization and brand message from other organizations that have not yet committed to gender equality standards
- Build your credibility as an organization that not only commits to gender equality, but has a clear roadmap for gender mainstreaming
- Have aligned your organization and are able to use a recognizable logo and resource that is well-known to industry donors and leaders who value gender equality mainstreaming
As a member of the Endorsers’ Circle, we will provide your organization access to a high-quality logo that can be used on your organization’s website and communications materials to demonstrate endorsement of and commitment to the Gender Standards.
How can I stay updated on news and events related to the Gender Standards and other Endorsers?
We invite you to join the Gender Standards Listserv by clicking on the button below. You will receive periodic emails with updates and invitations to upcoming discussions and events.
As a member of the Endorsers’ Circle, what are ways to get involved?
In addition to sharing the Gender Standards themselves, our goal is to promote learning and sharing among organizations for how to implement and achieve the standards. We encourage members of the Endorsers’ Circle to take an active role in fostering a supportive learning community. We encourage participation through:
Sharing learning through blog posts – reflections, lessons learned, and helpful resources for working toward achieving one or more of the standards. We would be delighted to share learning from your organization on the blog.
Hosting (or co-hosting) an Endorser Café – design and host an event that brings together members of the development community to share and discuss lessons learned, practical guidance, and resources for helping organizations and programs implement or achieve one or more of the standards. To learn more, check out this list of Past Endorser Cafés. If you are interested in hosting an Endorser Café, please fill out this form.
Presenting at a conference or public form – it’s important to spread the word about the Gender Standards as well as how you are adapting, applying and working towards them where other practitioners are gathering to discuss best practices and innovative approaches. We encourage the submission of proposals and participation in conferences to share your learning about the Gender Standards. For example, Room to Read presented at the 2020 Women in Global Development Leadership Forum (WILD) about how they used the Gender Standards to make the case to organizational leaders and support Room to Read down the path towards gender transformational programming and internal operations.
Host a public dialogue, such as through a Twitter chat – there are lots of creative ways to connect, and some organizations may host Twitter chats, relays, or dialogues on special days (like International Women’s Day or during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence) or related to big events (like CSW or another conference).
Joining the social media conversation – follow us on Twitter (@GenderPC and #GenderStandards) and join the online conversation! Help us grow the discussion about what we should be addressing to promote gender equality and help highlight the learning and resources that will help us get there. Please share your social media information so we can tag you!
Propose an idea – is there something you would suggest? Let us know! Send a message to info@genderstandards.org to propose your idea. We’re delighted to hear from you.
Please note that the culture of the Gender Practitioners Collaborative (GPC) and the Endorsers’ Circle is to promote solidarity across participating organizations with the higher goal of achieving gender equality through our development and humanitarian work. Therefore, we strive not to promote individual organizations but to demonstrate collaboration, cooperation, and shared learning across organizations as we work together in the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Therefore, when designing and proposing activities, the emphasis is on fostering opportunities to learn from each other. This view informs all aspects of our approach, including our communications and event marketing.