Gender mainstreaming is not just another task; it’s a fresh lens to ask, ‘How can I approach my work differently?’ This thought-provoking perspective, shared by Ms Pintip Iamnirath, Deputy Director for Administration and Communication of the SEAMEO Secretariat, set the tone for the 5^th SEAMEO Knowledge Management (KM) Online Learning and Sharing Forum on 2 July 2026.

Rather than being an abstract concept, gender mainstreaming thrives in the everyday decisions in the workplace. For programme implementation, it means designing training content and activities that ensure equitable access and address the diverse needs and perspectives of all participants.

This year, the SEAMEO KM Forum has committed to a series of learning sessions aimed at advancing the integration of gender concepts into organisational practices and programme design. The forum is a space for collaboration—a bridge connecting the intensive experiences and tools developed across SEAMEO Centres into a shared reservoir of wisdom. Participants have the opportunity to learn from one another, exchange insights, and explore ways to adapt and implement best practices in their unique contexts.

Since the launch of the Gender Mainstreaming series in October 2025, invited speakers from the SEAMEO Secretariat, the SEAMEO Gender Working Group, and SEAMEO Centres have orchestrated how integrating gender considerations can strengthen programme implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), human resource practices, communication strategies, and organisational culture.

In July 2026, the KM Forum continued its exploration of gender mainstreaming with a session titled From Awareness to Action: Integrating Gender into Projects, Training, and Workshops. Two representatives from SEAMEO RECSAM, Dr Shamimah Parveen Abd Rahim, Education Specialist (Science Education) and Dr Warabhorn Preechaporn, Mathematics Education Senior Specialist, shared practical insights into embedding gender within the project management cycle. They highlighted the use of a gender event management checklist as a foundational tool, coupled with consultant reviews and participant feedback to ensure relevance and adaptability. Complementing this, SEAMEO Secretariat’s presentation by Ms Ahnee Lae Monzon Abutin, Policy and Planning Specialist, showcased how gender indicators and data collection are integrated into the SEAMEO MEL system.

Recognising that organisational culture plays a pivotal role in gender mainstreaming, the KM Forum in August spotlighted Building Inclusive Organisations: Embedding Gender in Workplace Culture and Practice. This session featured Ms Abigail Lanceta, Programme Officer of SEAMEO SEPS, who shared her Centre’s journey in integrating gender into its five-year strategic planning. Starting with an internal workshop on gender, diversity, and inclusion (GDI), the Centre raised awareness and aligned its personnel towards a shared vision that developed a strategic plan with gender perspectives. Ms Tachana Saetieo, Human Resource Officer of SEAMES, added her hands-on experience through a podcast-style discussion on Gender in HR practices, delving into how SEAMEO Secretariat implemented a Code of Conduct and fostered an inclusive and safe workplace environment.

As the KM Forum continues, SEAMEO’s gender mainstreaming practices offer a powerful reminder: even the smallest steps can lead to transformative change. By fostering inclusion, equity, and responsiveness, the forum is igniting the spark for a broader movement towards gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within SEAMEO’s work.

Scan to access the 5^th KM Forum recordings and upcoming Gender Series sessions.

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