Why is gender transformative communication useful? Communication is one of the oldest ways in which behaviour can be influenced, from written advice in religious texts and sermons, to verbal advice from elders. Mass media communications such as broadcast news, radio and newspapers have also been widely used to inform people as well as affect change in their behaviour. Throughout history, state actors, civil society organizations and corporations have used persuasive communication techniques to persuade people, for example, to vote for them, to go and get vaccinated, or to buy the latest products. Today, people are influenced by constant communication through the Internet. Unlike the methods of the past, internet-based communication through social media or news websites has become personal, direct and frequent. Digital communication both allows many causes to engage with their audience, and opens a range of options for people to engage in social change. Hence, adopting gender transformative communication can promote the cause of an organization and catalyse change in gender relations in turn influencing privilege. Adopting gender transformative communication can be challenging for programmes or events that are not designed to be gender-responsive. Hence, it is imperative that programmes and events are designed to bring issues related to gender to the fore. 2 In situations where there is little or no attention paid to gender, it is often most effective to use creativity, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity to encourage some consideration of gender in designing programmes or events. Although gender transformative communication is no substitute for gender transformative programme design, it can contribute to a culture where gender equality is prioritized in organizations gradually leading to change in wider society. This toolkit contains descriptions of how to use the right method of communication to transform entrenched gender hierarchies of power. It is based on an extensive desk review of the communication materials of FES offices in Asia. The toolkit lays out the best practices to follow as well as common pitfalls to avoid, in both visual and verbal communication. These are grouped into five topic areas: (1) politics and democracy,(2) labour rights,(3) social­ecological transformation,(4) future of work, and(5) peace, security and international cooperation. For each sector, the gendered historical context is briefly described. For example, the section on labour rights and gender provides an overview of the feminist struggle to establish equal and fair work opportunities, to demonstrate why a gender transformative approach is essential in conversations around labour rights. A historical perspective will also, hopefully, instil a sense of urgency in advancing much-needed change. Arranging the toolkit by topic will also make it easier for organizations to use it in the context of their specific cause, and hopefully increase its adoption. The toolkit is purposefully brief to serve as a quick guide with multiple checklists and quick takeaways. Finally, the toolkit aims to be an example of gender transformative communication itself, by adopting diverse examples and varied images in trying to reach as many non-expert audiences as possible. 2 See FES(2003) Practicing Gender- a Toolbook on Gender Responsive Programming 4 Introduction