Locating gender equality in evaluations: Choosing pathways

[Ranjani K.Murthy]

Since the popularity emergence of gender and development approach in the late 1980s, there have been debates on where and how to locate gender equality in evaluations.

At one end, most multi-lateral development banks do not have a separate evaluation criterion on gender equality. The focus is on relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and (some impacts). Evaluation reports indicate that gender equality issues tend to be integrated into relevance, effectiveness, impacts and less into efficiency and sustainability and project/program performance.

On the other hand, UN agencies tend to have a separate criterion on gender equality, and bulk of gender analysis of outcomes, impact and project performance is in this section with varying integration in other evaluation criteria like relevance and effectiveness.

While proponents of both sides argue that their approach is appropriate, the choice of gender equality as an exclusive evaluation criterion must depend on the mandate of the organization. If the mandate includes gender equality, it makes sense to have gender equality a separate criterion, and integrate it within other criteria. However, if the mandate of the organization does not include gender equality, it makes sense to integrate gender equality into criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact.

Either way, gender equality issues to be explored have expanded since the 1990s. The major shifts that needed to be taken in evaluations are

• ·         Addressing gender and intersectional discrimination: It is not adequate if evaluations explore outcomes for, and impact on, women vis-a-vis men, but impact on different groups of marginalized women (migrant, indigenous, Dalits, disabled, ethnic religious minorities etc.) and vis-a-vis dominant men. The discussion must go beyond social inclusion, and to address unique forms of discrimination faced by women of above groups

• ·         Addressing gender transformation: Gender equality can be achieved sustained only when gender norms, power and institutions change. Assessing changes in these aspects is critical, and demands dialogue with non-members, non-project stakeholders as well. Further some norms are easier to change while others are sticky (including intersectional ones), this also must be assessed

• ·         Gender beyond binary Evaluations, like planning and monitoring, have historically looked at gender as binary. This has excluded people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. It is important to assess how far the project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation look at gender beyond family

• ·         Gender/social transformation methodologies: The evaluation theory of change and evaluation matrix should raise questions around gender equality, transformation, and intersectionality Evaluation frameworks and methods that are gender/socially transformative and look beyond binary should be adopted. This includes using the change matrix, social relations framework, social equality assessment tool for analysis and other frameworks. Sampling and methods should address gender/intersectional concerns.

• ·         Reports should include conclusions and recommendations around gender transformation Evaluations should ideally offer conclusions on performance on gender/social transformation, and ways forward to address shortcomings.

• Accountability to marginalized women: Findings, conclusions should be taken back to women from marginalized groups for inputs and validation, and not just to project holders and government.

Evaluations are political and reflect gender and other hierarchies, while challenging them. To be aware of this at every stage of evaluation is important

Cross posted from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/locating-gender-equality-evaluations...