Step 3: Analysing the implications of gender-responsive strategic foresight and using its results
Foresight analysis is used to inform policymaking. In evaluations, strategic foresight can help examine the relevance of an intervention. It can test possible policy options against future conditions (future-proofing) to determine if and these should be modified to meet policy objectives and advance gender equality.
The following tips will help you analyse and report on the implications of gender-responsive strategic foresight.
Reflect on the implications of the foresight exercise for gender equality
- To what extent are gender and intersectionality considerations present in the implications for the intervention/policy options?
- Which priorities that foster gender equality will be funded? How will resources be allocated in relation to different priorities, including gender equality?
- What will be measured to evaluate progress towards gender equality?
Report on the results of the gender-responsive strategic foresight exercise in the evaluation report
- In your evaluation report, acknowledge the differences between the situations and needs of women and men in all their diversity within the policy area in question.
- A gender-responsive strategic foresight exercise should be carried out in the context of a specific intervention or an assessment of policy options.
- If necessary, summarise the key points and cross-reference additional documentation presented in an annex.
- Go to Tool 10 to see more on reporting the results of the gender-responsive evaluation and preparing lessons learned.
Megatrends analysis. The Commission recognises ‘widening inequalities’ as a megatrend. This megatrend explicitly refers to and explains gender inequalities as follows:
Different types of inequalities in society are persistent and widening despite progress to address them. Inequalities in education, the labour market and health are widening, and gender and territorial inequalities persist despite significant progress being made to address them. An uneven distribution of wealth, income and the adverse effects of climate change worldwide is growing. Crucial for a prosperous society, access to quality education, employment and health is still shaped by gender, age, ethnicity, social class, migration status and location. … The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated many of the existing inequalities.[1]
Scenario planning. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research led the development of several future scenarios combining qualitative and quantitative methods to guide planning for food secure and sustainable futures. Efforts included the integration of gender and other considerations into the scenario process. A detailed analysis of participation, empowerment and equity considerations demonstrated both the challenges (e.g. insufficient resources) and the perceived benefits (e.g. levelling the playing field thanks to highly participatory methods) of using gender-responsive scenario planning.[2]
Visioning. The revised Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) policy, published in 2020,[3] serves as an instrument to drive the FAO’s efforts over the coming decade to address gender-based discrimination within the context of agriculture, food security and nutrition, and particularly those inequalities that affect rural women and girls. The vision articulated in its policy is to achieve equality between women and men in sustainable agriculture and rural development, in eliminate hunger and poverty. To achieve this goal, the FAO set four specific objectives to help guide the future work of the organisation, each of which is in alignment with gender-related SDGs to ensure the FAO's overall contribution to the 2030 Agenda. The four objectives are an equal voice and decision-making power for women and men; equal rights, access and control over resources; equal rights and access to services, markets and decent work; and the reduction of women's care work burden.