Youth power toolkit: a peer-to-peer guide for facilitating and promoting gender equality, healthy masculinities and violence prevention

Co-created with young people in Ecuador, this manual equips young people to facilitate peer-to-peer workshops on gender equality, healthy masculinity and violence prevention  in their communities and schools. The guide has everything a young facilitator needs to engage with peers.

This toolkit is aimed at young people who wish to be agents of change and engage their peers in gender equality and violence prevention in their communities and schools. It was co-created by 'Jóvenes Power', a youth group formed by the Ecuadorian organisations Pasos & Huellas, Nia Kali and Mi Cometa in Guayaquil, together with CEPAM Guayaquil and Equimundo, as part of the Feminist Futures Free from Violence project coordinated by Fòs Feminista.

The manual is organised into four chapters: 1. core concepts related to gender equality and non-violence; 2. recommended facilitation methodologies and tips for managing common fears and doubts; 3. an explanation of participatory educational techniques with an evidence base for shifting peer attitudes; and 4. a detailed step by step guide to six specific activities that facilitators can use to start promoting change.

Its distinctive feature is that it was designed with, rather than only for, young people, so its language, examples and pacing reflect the specific concerns and confidence levels of youth facilitators themselves rather than being adapted down from adult training materials.

Key messages

• The toolkit was co-created with 'Jóvenes Power', a youth network formed by Ecuadorian community organisations, rather than designed by adults and adapted for young audiences. 
• The manual has four chapters: core concepts, facilitation methodology, participatory technique explanations, and six ready to use activities.
• It is intended to help young facilitators design and lead debates, reflections and analysis that question harmful gender stereotypes and violence among their peers.
• Designed for young people with little or no prior training in gender based violence prevention, the toolkit explicitly addresses the fears and doubts young facilitators may feel before leading a workshop or action for the first time.