Solutions Panorama

Train, Run, Win, Lead: Increasing
Women’s Leadership in Political
Power Structures
Featuring:
The Network of NGOs of
Trinidad and Tobago for the
Advancement of Women
Where:
Trinidad and Tobago
Time Frame:
2013 - Present
SUMMARY
An umbrella network of women’s organizations in Trinidad and Tobago, the Network of NGOs of
Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, has been partnering with local government since
1996 to ensure that women are represented throughout the political system. In 2013, the Network
launched a training program for women planning to run for political office. The eight-week course,
“Train, Run, Win and Lead,” teaches potential female candidates across party lines about the basic
functions and responsibilities of government, communications, leadership, and gender-responsive
budgeting. The project aims to train and support women candidates, young people, and activists in
the general elections for the 14 municipalities and the Tobago House of Assembly.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
“Train, Run, Win and Lead” raises women’s
awareness about their right to fully access
and participate in power structures and
decision-making, with the ultimate goal of
developing their capacity to change the
political system. By providing women with
the skills to carry out gender-sensitive
planning and budgeting for local government
projects and activities, the program seeks to
institutionalize women’s perspectives within
public policy, and ensure that women have
equal access to assets and resources.
Throughout the training, individual capacities
are strengthened in an atmosphere of
collaboration that transcends partisan
divisions. Specific topics included genderresponsive
budgeting, or budgets that
respond to women’s priorities and promote
gender equality; the basic functions
and responsibilities of government,
communications, and leadership; campaignrelated
issues, such as voter registration,
managing volunteers, money, and fundraising;
confidence in public speaking; assertiveness;
and how to run a positive campaign.
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