Step 1: Constructing a gender-responsive intervention logic

Before you start, it is important to familiarise yourself with the logic of the intervention being evaluated. Evaluations often need to reconstruct the logic of the intervention or theory of change, either because it was not explicitly stated or because it has proven to be weak.

In some cases, this reconstruction also includes integrating gender considerations, especially if these have not been considered in the initial design of the intervention. Refresh your memory on the intervention’s approach to gender equality in TOOL 1, (see Step 2).

Even if the logic of the intervention under evaluation did not consider gender equality in its design, you must prepare evaluation questions and indicators that incorporate gender concerns.

Questions to consider when reconstructing a gender-responsive logic of intervention

  • Are there any gender equality issues and gaps in the policy area?

  • Are women and men, girls and boys participating as beneficiaries, a target population or stakeholders?

  • Are women and men participating as staff?

  • Are there any expected changes for women and men?

  • Did the intervention overlook sustained political support to gender equality at the EU level and EU funding for gender equality?

  • Did the intervention overlook external risks such as climate change, environmental disasters, conflicts, energy crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which have a gender dimension?

  • Did the intervention overlook internal risks such as lack of gender expertise in the team and lack of a gender-balanced implementation team?

  • Did the intervention make any assumptions about existing power dynamics, gendered division of labour, gender stereotypes and gender roles (e.g. women as caregivers and men as breadwinners), horizontal and vertical gender segregation, attention to women’s practical needs (better transportation options) versus women’s strategic needs (an equal division of care labour)?