Expert by Experience Feminist Training Program

PHOEBE has long recognized the expertise and unique knowledge of women who have lived experience of mental health conditions. These “Experts by Experience” are often involved in helping to run our programmes and educate the local community on mental health. To support these women in developing their skills and capabilities, and to provide a formal framework for their knowledge, we have recently developed a specialized Expert by Experience Feminist Training Program. This is designed to empower women with mental health issues to become positive forces for change in their communities. By participating, women undergo a transformative education centered on the concepts of gender, power, mental health and community engagement. 

The course reflects PHOEBE’s unique approach of working at the intersections between mental health, sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) and gender based violence to address the interconnected ways in which women are vulnerable to harm. Participants will attend one weekly session on mental health learning, and another session dedicated to SRHR topics. Skills development in activism, advocacy, teaching and educating is integrated throughout the course, equipping mentors with the confidence and ability to share what they’ve learnt and create gender transformative change in the community. 

The program also dedicates three months to comprehensive child protection and safeguarding training. Using the “train a trainer” model , graduates of the program will be invited to participate in PHOEBE’s safeguarding work in schools, hospitals and other local institutions, providing training sessions for the workforce. Through both of these projects, we hope to reach as many people as possible in raising awareness about the intersectional challenges faced by women.