Public Relations Portfolio
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE FOR FAMILY INDEPENDENCE (SAFI)
Impact report and policy writing
While working for NuSkin, I worked in their CSR branch at the School of Agriculture for Family Independence in Malawi. I researched and rewrote the gender policy for internal operations and published an impact report provided below.
GENDER POLICY
Only a portion of the gender policy is provided below. I have included the principles and logic for the policy and omitted most of the specific strategies written for SAFI to implement. Sections on rationale and framework are also not featured
Organizational Development
Commitment: Ensure gender sensitivity within the institutional framework of SAFI through its hiring, promotion, and benefits practices for staff, including equal representation of women and men in various roles and activities.
Purpose: Women have historically been left out of decision-making positions, leaving their voices unheard and needs unmet. Increasing equality in career opportunities and representation increases overall productivity and will serve as an important way for SAFI to meet its goals.
Communication and Public Image
Commitment: Promote gender equality in all forms of communication within and outside of SAFI.
Purpose: Perpetuating negative gender stereotypes limits the capabilities of individuals, decreasing the overall productivity of SAFI students and staff. By challenging these stereotypes and the way women and men are represented in verbal, written, and visual communication, we can empower both women and men to build self reliance through improved farming techniques.
Curriculum and Classroom
Commitment: Create an inclusive classroom experience through a gender-sensitive curriculum that avoids ideas, actions, or language that favors one sex over the other.
Purpose: Avoiding gender bias and favoritism will allow students to feel more comfortable participating in class which will lead to increased comprehension of the curriculum. Gender mainstreaming the curriculum to meet the needs of both women and men will lead to greater success of students, not only while at SAFI, but also on their farms.
Abuse
Commitment: Guarantee the physical, emotional, and sexual safety of all SAFI students and staff through strict disciplinary action against all forms of abuse.
Purpose: Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse can derail a family from achieving food security and self-reliance. SAFI students and staff must exhibit proper marital and familial relations to lead farmers and families in their communities.
Creating Safe Environments
Commitment: Ensure that all staff and students feel secure throughout their time with SAFI.
Purpose: By making SAFI a secure environment, students will maximize their learning experience, increasing their capabilities and potential for positive contributions to their community.
Strategies:
Provide a physically secure and healthy place for staff and students to work and learn.
Ensure proper child care facilities are available for children of students and staff.
Provide adequate sanitary facilities on campus for all staff and students, regardless of gender.
Implementation and Accountability
Commitment: Create a comprehensive implementation and accountability plan to ensure gender equality within SAFI and a positive experience for all involved.
Purpose: Accountability is essential to the success of this gender policy as it will ensure the implementation of the strategies presented. The implementation of this gender policy will require the commitment, contribution, and participation of every staff member and student at SAFI.