Measuring gender-transformative change: A review of literature and promising practices

Abstract

Gender-transformative approaches aim to move beyond individual self-improvement among women and toward transforming the power dynamics and structures that serve to reinforce gendered inequalities. As defined by the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), a gender-transformative approach to development goes beyond the "symptoms" of gender inequality to address "the social norms, attitudes, behaviors, and social systems that underlie them". This approach entails engaging groups in critically examining, challenging and questioning gender norms and power relations that underlie visible gender gaps. This report broadly examines existing literature on frameworks and monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, as well as specific indicators and approaches for measuring gender-transformative change, particularly in the smallholder agriculture sector.