Making the transition from evaluations to knowledge on gender-transformation

[Ranjani K.Murthy]

In-spite of several decades of development, the progress has been limited in reducing gender based violence, gender gap in economy, and gender gap in political participation globally. Yet a lot of development programmes and projects focus on these issues, and several evaluations have been carried on 'gender integrated' and 'gender specific projects". 

A key question is "Are evaluations creating to knowledge building on what works and what does not work with regard to reducing gender based violence, gender gap in economy and gender gap in political participation?" Not always, is the answer.

For one the programme/ project objectives may not focus on these goals, and hence thier evaluations do not.

Second evaluation findings/reports are not always in public domain. Several organizations want to share success and not failures, in particular if it is linked with getting funds for next cycle. At times the implementing organisation may be interested, but the funding agency may want sensitive information removed- if political context is repressive

Representatives of rights based implementing agencies - who are open to sharing- do not always get opportunity to attend national and international evaluation conferences or web based platforms, in particular if they do not know english. They require support to convert findings into journal based articles.  Evaluation team is not normally paid to do the same and knowledge on what works in bridging these gaps falls between the lines. 

What about taking it downstream? Rarely is there budget for taking forward findings to federations of marginalised women's groups, youth groups etc , and discussing ways forwards.  An opportunity for putting pressure on state from below is lost. 

Funds should be available to bridge these gaps- for gender transformative evaluations are for addressing gender gaps, learning and not just to give support to access funds.

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[Ranjani K.Murthy]

Dear Rituu

Thanks for your comment. I do agree that some evaluations are fault finding exercises- but not all. Everybody has to be open to learnings.

UN Women's compilation is good. I would like to additionally see an analysis on what was worked and not worked in each of its priority areas

1. Women’s leadership and
political participation
2 Women economic
empowerment
3 Ending violence
against women
4 Gender Peace, security and
humanitarian action
5 Gender National planning
and budgeting
6 Gender, Global norms,
policies and standards

Best

Ranjani

 

 

[Rituu B Nanda]

Dear Ranjani, you raise critical issues which are very important to discuss. Thank you.

Here are thoughts from my experience:-)

Evaluations are seen as fault finding exercises. The 'learn' in MEL is not given importance. People fear evaluations. If we create safe, learning spaces where people can share what went well and what did not particularly from gender and equity lens? For this gender and equity has to be a way of life and work.

And this will lead to the deeper question  related to communities iThe first step is to bring critical thinking in communities if we want to address the context. 

Meanwhile what do you think of this compilation by UN Women I find this a good compilation. What do you think http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/li...