Monthly Corner
Claudy Vouhé shared GRB in local authorities (French)
Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) shows that the development of a budget and budgetary choices are powerful levers in terms of gender equality. We share our lessons learned in the field: a 5-step method, concrete examples (culture, sport, subsidies, public procurement, etc.) and keys to success. An operational work to objectify the impact of public policies and budgets and make RHL accessible.
Anuradha Kapoor Shared Swayam Recent Published Study
This exploratory study foregrounds the largely invisible issue of natal family violence (NFV) in India, exploring its forms, prevalence, and deep, long-term impacts on women's lives. It challenges the myth of the natal home as a safe space and centres survivor voices and lived experiences. The findings expose systemic silences and institutional barriers to justice. It offers vital insights for policy reform, feminist praxis, and deeper societal reflection.
Research Workshop on School Violence Prevention and Response - BLOG POST
Blog post summarizing key findings from each presentation and highlighting the outstanding research of all participants
Tara Prasad Gnyawali - Narrative
My flashback to working with wildlife-affected communities living in a biological transboundary corridor in Bardiya, Nepal, where I spent my golden 15 years. This story reflects changes that demonstrate how a community's tolerance extends to coexistence, and that is only due to the well-integrated planning of Ecotourism opportunities for the community.
Mehreen Farooq - BLOG
Events
Vacancies
- We’re Hiring: National Evaluation Consultant – Bangladesh
UN Women is recruiting a National Evaluation Consultant (Bangladesh) to support the interim evaluation of the Joint Regional EmPower Programme (Phase II).
This is a great opportunity to work closely with the Evaluation Team Leader and contribute to generating credible, gender-responsive evidence that informs decision-making and strengthens programme impact.
📍 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh (home-based with travel to project locations)
📅 Apply by: 24 February 2026, 5:00 PM
🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gar4ciRr
If you are passionate about feminist evaluation, gender equality, and rigorous evidence that drives change (or know someone who is) please apply or share within your networks.
- Seeking Senior Analyst - IPE Global
About the job
IPE Global Ltd. is a multi-disciplinary development sector consulting firm offering a range of integrated, innovative and high-quality services across several sectors and practices. We offer end-to-end consulting and project implementation services in the areas of Social and Economic Empowerment, Education and Skill Development, Public Health, Nutrition, WASH, Urban and Infrastructure Development, Private Sector Development, among others.
Over the last 26 years, IPE Global has successfully implemented over 1,200 projects in more than 100 countries. The group is headquartered in New Delhi, India with five international offices in United Kingdom, Kenya, Ethiopia, Philippines and Bangladesh. We partner with multilateral, bilateral, governments, corporates and not-for-profit entities in anchoring development agenda for sustained and equitable growth. We strive to create an enabling environment for path-breaking social and policy reforms that contribute to sustainable development.
Role Overview
IPE Global is seeking a motivated Senior Analyst – Low Carbon Pathways to strengthen and grow its Climate Change and Sustainability practice. The role will contribute to business development, program management, research, and technical delivery across climate mitigation, carbon markets, and energy transition. This position provides exceptional exposure to global climate policy, finance, and technology, working with a team of high-performing professionals and in collaboration with donors, foundations, research institutions, and public agencies.
Who Really Holds the Phone? Digital realities of children in the urban margins of Delhi
By Rajeev, Dharmendra and Shipra
A reflection from our fieldwork at ISST Saathi Centre, Kalyanpuri, meant for those working in education, child rights, tech policy, or anyone navigating digital parenting today.
If you've ever handed your smartphone to your child for "studying" and found no games or social media apps afterward—don’t be too sure they weren’t playing the very games you had asked them not to. While speaking with children from our Saathi Centre in Kalyanpuri, East Delhi, we discovered that some of them would install games on their parents' phones, play, and then delete the apps before returning the phone like a thief wiping away evidence from a crime scene.
The digital landscape in Kalyanpuri has significantly shifted since the COVID-19 lockdown. What started as a necessity to continue education through online classes during the lockdown, these smartphones have become centre to entertainment, social interaction and even income generation among these children. To understand this better, we conducted a mixed gender focus group discussion (FGD) with 20 children aged 12 to 15 years at our community center and observed that there is a sharp rise in smartphone usage, especially among children.
Inside the digital lives of children
The discussions we had during these FGDs brought it some eye-opening insights into how children engage with smartphones. None of the younger participants owned personal phones, largely due to financial constraints. They relied on their parents’ or siblings’ devices. Even for educational purposes, they had to request access. In most cases, smartphones were used in shared spaces, typically single-room homes occupied by 4–5 people, meaning usage was always under watchful eyes. This resonates with the findings of our study, Beyond the Screen where data collected of 102 respondents aged 15 to 22 showed that over 55% shared a smartphone with four or more people.
Many shared that they manage multiple WhatsApp accounts—one for family, another hidden from parents. What struck us was how casually they shared this. To them, it wasn’t a secret—it was just how their digital world worked. These young minds already grasp so much about the smartphone ecosystem, often more than we assume.
During FGD, the younger cohort even developed a vast digital vocabulary, confidently listing apps alphabetically. This familiarity speaks volumes about their exposure and access to digital platforms. Children between 12 and 15 categorized apps by usage type, which was similar to what we observed in our study with the 15-22 year olds. Below are the apps that are common and unique across age groups of the sample we catered to:
- Common Apps: YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Diksha, Freefire, Meesho, Amazon, Winzo, Dream 11 and more
- Unique to Younger Group (12–15): Subway Surfer, NCERT-CBSE Apps, Jungle Rummy.
- Unique to Older Group (15–22): Byju’s, Vedantu, Temple Run, Judi Kinf, Hotstar, MX Player, MPL, Jeeto Paisa, Telegram.
While both age groups engaged with similar categories of apps—such as social media, video platforms, and messaging tools—distinct differences emerged in their use of gaming, educational and OTT platforms. The older cohort showed a greater tendency to use apps offering monetary rewards and those behind paywalls. This pattern reflects their relatively higher financial autonomy, stronger grasp of online payment systems, and greater access to digital know-how, including the use of clone apps and other methods to bypass paywalls.
A gender divide?
While that study delved into gender differences in smartphone access, usage, and control, this FGD focused more on app usage. Yet, the themes echoed with each other.
Smartphone usage is deeply shaped by access and surveillance. Girls reported more restricted access in comparison to boys, with differing patterns of restrictions.
While boys had similar autonomous access to phones, the girls were only ‘allowed’ to use phones for education and for communication with family. Using social media is highly disregarded for reasons of misuse and reputation damage. It was noteworthy that boys were able to ‘own’ personal smartphones at a much early age compared to girls who continued to share the household smartphone and aspired for their ‘own’ smartphone once they left school. High levels of digital surveillance by parents and elder brothers were reported by most girls which impinged on the time spent on the phone, exploring digital aspects and using certain apps. The Beyond the Screen study documented cases where girls were forced to delete the Instagram app because family members disapproved of their online presence.
The FGD with 12–15-year-olds revealed clear gendered usage patterns. For instance, boys spent hours playing multiplayer online shooting games, which require real-time engagement and communication. These games offer a unique social space that only boys seem to access freely. Unlike boys, girls rarely play multiplayer games due to restrictions on playing in public spaces or making noise at home. As a result, they either play single-player games or play in silence, ensuring they do not attract attention. The idea that despite all living in similar socio-economic environments, the boys have more ownership to public spheres than girls.
Our study, which was done with a slightly older cohort (15–22 years) from the same communities, revealed similar usage patterns. Boys spent hours on games like BGMI, Free Fire, and PUBG, while girls primarily used phones for education and social media engagement.
Another pattern relates to financial risk in gaming. Some boys admitted to participating in money-based gaming (and gambling) platforms like Rummy and Winzo. Meanwhile, most girls were completely unaware of such apps and their risks. This highlights a critical gap in digital literacy and access to financial resources. Limited resources and a lack of confidence in managing money are likely contributors, both of which were highlighted in our earlier study.
Technology facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV)
During FGDs with mothers for the Beyond the Screen study, many shared their concerns about digital safety—not from a desire to control, but from fear of unknown. They worried their children, especially daughters, might encounter online violence.
In our group discussion with 12–15-year-olds, Sameer shares, “Whenever I download any app on my mobile, I never read whether the app is beneficial for me or not, and sometimes unwanted messages start coming and the phone begins to hang.”Simultaneously, all participants admitted to never reading the terms and conditions before downloading an app.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts are integral to young lives, offering entertainment, visibility, and social validation. Children seek likes and comments for validation from their online peers and other audiences. The Beyond the Screen study found that there is a huge difference in the way that boys and girls engage on social media. Boys post more publicly, while girls limit their online presence to WhatsApp statuses or private groups to avoid scrutiny.
Infact, the nature of online harassment also differed. Girls were more likely to face sexual harassment online whereas Boys reported facing physical threats or cyberbullying. This raises a frightening reality of what starts as virtual harassment can often translate into real-world violence, making the online space feel just as unsafe as the offline world.
TFGBV is a reality for most girls across the age groups. In the study, adolescent girls reported that they stopped using a popular social media app owing to pornographic materials that would pop up randomly on their accounts. Further, the report highlights instances of online harassment, privacy violations, and addiction faced by both boys and girls. Many children admitted they have faced backlash from their families if caught engaging in activities deemed inappropriate.
All these points to a critical gap between access and understanding—one that leaves them vulnerable to spam, scams, and data misuse.
Building a safe Digital Future
The smartphone penetration has fundamentally reshaped childhood—offering education, entertainment, and community in today’s world. Yet, adults still struggle to understand how to support children in navigating this space, especially in low-income communities owing to limited education, awareness and interest.
The Beyond the Screen study reinforces the urgent need for digital literacy programs—especially for girls—to help them explore online spaces safely and confidently. One needs to build enabling environments that equip children with the skills to recognize and respond to digital threats, identify fake news and building confidence about oneself despite the pressures of social media. Experiences of violence in the online world often scar deeply, especially girls who then stop exploring the internet. Hence, awareness of online safety and strengthening online safety mechanisms by apps and then state will help in more bridging the gender digital divide.
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