A Guide to Building a Gender-Sensitive Monitoring and Evaluation System

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems are essential tools that organizations use to measure the impact and effectiveness of their programs. When designed with a gender-sensitive lens, M&E syestems can provide critical insights into how programs affect individuals of different genders differently, ensuring that all beneficiaries have equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Regardless of the thematic area of an intervention or programme, it is important to design and implment it in a are gender sensitive manner.

In this post, I break down the basics of a gender-sensitive M&E system and provide 7 practical tips for implementation.

What is Gender Sensitivity?

At its core, gender sensitivity means recognizing and addressing the different needs, preferences, and constraints of individuals based on their gender. This understanding ensures that interventions and evaluations are not reinforcing gender stereotypes or biases and that they address the different experiences of all gender groups.

Why is it Important in M&E?

A gender-sensitive M&E system captures the nuances of how men, women, and gender-diverse individuals experience projects or interventions. Without this lens, organizations might overlook essential data, leading to incomplete or skewed results. For instance, a project aimed at improving agricultural yields might inadvertently benefit male farmers more if it doesn't consider the specific challenges faced by female farmers.

7 Practical Tips for a Gender-Sensitive M&E System