Monthly Corner

Evaluation of UN Women’s Work on the Care Economy in East and Southern Africa 

A regional study of gender equality observatories in West and Central Africa, carried out by Claudy Vouhé for UN Women

Sources: UN Women

This regional study offers an inventory and analysis of the legal framework of gender observatories, their attributions, functions and missions. It is based on exchanges with 21 countries, in particular the eleven countries that have created observatories. It compares the internal organisation and budgets of the observatories between countries, looks at operational practices, in particular the degree of involvement in the collection and use of data, and identifies obstacles and good practices in terms of influencing pro-gender equality public policies. Finally, the study draws up a list of strategic recommendations intended for observatories, supervisory bodies and technical and financial partners.

MSSRF Publication - November 2025 - Shared by Rajalakshmi

Ritu Dewan - EPW editorial  comment on Labour Codes

Eniola Adeyemi Articles on Medium Journal, 2025

An analysis of the “soft life” conversation as it emerges on social media, unpacking how aspirations for ease and rest intersect with broader socio-economic structures, gendered labour expectations, and notions of dignity and justice

Tara Prasad Gnyawali Article - 2025

This article focused on the story of community living in a wildlife corridor that links India and Nepal, namely the Khata Corridor, which bridges Bardiya National Park of Nepal and Katarnia Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttar Pradesh, India.
This article revealed how the wildlife mobility in the corridor affects community livelihoods, mobility, and social inclusion, with a sense of differential impacts on farming and marginalised communities.

Lesedi Senamele Matlala - Recent Article in Evaluation Journal, 2025

Vacancies

Vacancy | GxD hub, LEAD/IFMR | Research Manager

Hiring a Research Manager to join us at the Gender x Digital (GxD) Hub at LEAD at Krea University, Delhi.

As a Research Manager, you will lead and shape rigorous evidence generation at the intersection of gender, AI, and digital systems, informing more inclusive digital policies and platforms in India. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys geeking out over measurement challenges, causal questions, and the nuances of designing evaluations that answer what works, for whom, and why. We welcome applications from researchers with strong mixed-methods expertise, experience designing theory or experiment based evaluations, and a deep commitment to gender equality and digital inclusion.

Must-haves:
• 4+ years of experience in evaluation and applied research
• Ability to manage data quality, lead statistical analysis, and translate findings into clear, compelling reports and briefs
• Strong interest in gender equality, livelihoods, and digital inclusion
• Comfort with ambiguity and a fast-paced environment, as the ecosystem evolves and pivots to new areas of inquiry
📍 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gcBpjtHy

📆 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
So sooner you apply the better!

Gender, Evaluation, Ratings and Raters

Sometimes, while evaluation progress towards gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE), I am asked to give a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 6 on criteria used by the commissioning organisation.  Normally, sub-criterias are listed for women's access to and ownership of resources, reduction in violence against women, increase in decision making of women etc. Sounds simple?

On the surface yes, but there are three challenges

Challenge of Interpretation: Each of  these sub criteria could mean different things. For example the sub criteria increase in women's decision making could mean decision making inside the house or at village level or at group level or at local government level or project level? Vis a vis husband/partner or mother in law?  Of which women? Vis a vis upper caste man or Dalit man? etc

Challenge of subjectivity:   Every evaluator, however exposed to gender issues,  comes with a different history and lens,  and may interpret the same situation differently and give different rating when compared to another one. Dilemma then comes whose perspective counts. To further complicate, due to fund constraint, there may be no gender expert in the team!

Challenge of Context:  In difficult contexts where there is a right wing  armed conflict, the rating may be  2 on 6 in women's ownership of assets, while in another - a more conductive environment- the rating 3. Do we conclude that the programme has fared better in the latter? Or look at trends. It is well possible that the in the first case rating has moved from 1 to 2, while in the latter it has remained constant

So, ratings on GEWE are complex.  It is important to have a guide to meet challenge of interpretation,   make potential gender/other evaluators take online institutional specific courses on gender and evaluation to bring them on the same page, and interpret changes in rating- not just rating to assess progress.           

However, nothing is foolproof. 

Do share your experience

Ranjani K Murthy (r.krishnamurthy@ialumni.ids.ac.uk)    

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