Underlying Creative’s mission— “to support people around the world to realize the positive change they seek”—is the recognition that “people” are not one homogeneous group. Instead, they are young and old and have different gender identities, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations. They have varying levels of physical and mental ability and experience other social, economic and geographical differences.
These social differences have enormous impact on how individuals view themselves and how they are viewed by others. These identities, and the practical constraints that accompany them, shape one’s expectations of their future life options. They can determine who gets to attend and complete school, who engages in decision-making, and who is able to earn an income. These gender and social norms also cause socially constructed distortions in the economy by limiting one’s ability to contribute to the development of their family, community and nation.
Gender and social inclusion are integral to every aspect of project design and implementation across Creative’s three program divisions.
Education
Creative works to ensure all children and youth have equal access to quality education and time to learn, with a focus on achieving learning outcomes.
It does this through gender sensitive and socially inclusive schools, pedagogy, social and emotional learning and life skills programming. Outside of the classroom, Creative works to transform the gender and social norms of parents, students, teachers, and the community to support equal educational attainment and completion of secondary school.
Communities in Transition
In communities transitioning from conflict to peace, Creative uses this window of opportunity to make positive changes for more inclusive governance. It ensures that peace is not made at the expense of women and that more equitable outcomes among groups does not result in increased inequalities within groups.
Our programs ensure services and state resources reach women and marginalized groups, eliminating inequalities that can ignite conflict, and that these groups have the skills to meaningfully participate in civic life and decision-making.
Economic Growth
Creative works to ensure that women and marginalized groups are able to pursue career pathways free of gender and social-based constraints.
It does this by addressing the intra-household dynamics and private sector barriers that limit women’s full participation in the labor force; developing diverse talent pipelines linking private sector needs with skills training and educational programming; and growing the capacity of governments to build workforces in which all people will benefit from employment opportunities.
Research and evidence
Creative’s gender and social inclusion practice also undertakes research to identify emerging areas of concern for women and marginalized groups and develop innovative, evidence-based approaches that respond to the world’s most pressing development challenges while ensuring that the benefits of development reach all members of the communities in which we work.
