Mainstreaming gender equality in Scottish Government funded international development projects and programmes: guidance note

Section 3: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

It is important that, where possible, data collected for your results framework is gender sensitive and/or disaggregated by sex.

What is a gender sensitive indicator?

A gender-sensitive indicator is a neutral quantitative or qualitative unit to measure gender equality-related changes in a project outcome over time. (Government of Canada)

Where data disaggregation is not possible, it is important to outline the rationale/limitations. Where existing data to support a proposed indicator does not exist, plans to collect the relevant data should be put in place.

Where feasible, data collection and reporting should also consider intersectionality. This means further disaggregation by intersecting identity factors including, but not limited to, age group, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race or other relevant social categories. ^{[26] [27]}

What is intersectional gender analysis?

[An] analytical tool for studying, understanding and responding to the ways in which sex and gender intersect with other personal characteristics/identities, and how these intersections contribute to unique experiences of discrimination. (European Institute for Gender Equality)

It is not always easy to know why particular changes have happened. Results need to be defined, monitored and evaluated using frameworks that are both flexible and learning oriented.^{[28] [29]}It is important to remember that both positive and negative, intended and unintended results provide learning and insights for policy or project improvement and future design.^[30]

Although there is often a temptation to simply apply universal templates and frameworks, it is important to adapt gender indicators so they are relevant and reflect the gender context of the environment in which the project is operating.^[31]

The OECD gender marker is based on donor intentions at the design stage. Therefore, it is important to note that the provisional score will be applied by the SG at application stage of your project or programme, and will be scored on the project or programmes initial proposal. A final score will be applied following the inception/design phase where applicable.

Your final framework does not have to be fully formed for the initial proposal, and wherever possible, gender equality results and indicators should be co-developed with key stakeholders, including participants of the project or programme, and those with lived experience of the issues your intervention is trying to address.^[32] This could be completed during the inception/design phase, then agreed with the SG.