Gender Responsive Monitoring and Evaluation (GRME) Approach: Principles, Practices and Process

Abstract

Gender-Responsive Monitoring and Evaluation (GRME) is quite a crucial framework that aims at ensuring development interventions are equitable, effective and sustainable. The conceptual investigation of GRME presented in this paper provides the description of the main principles, practices, and processes of this systemic and innovative solution. It upholds that GRME is a paradigm shift from the gender-neutral M&E, because it not only advocates for the disaggregation of data by gender, but acting as an active force in posing inquiries regarding power structures, social norms, and structural imbalances. It demonstrates that the application of specific practices, such as gender-responsive stakeholder analysis, development of indicators, and data collection are informed by the concepts of intersectionality, social justice, and empowerment in a cyclical planning and utilization process. The study concludes that GRME is needed in ensuring meaningful accountability to the promise of gender equality and provides helpful evidence to transformative programming and policy. Finally, it summarizes certain areas of concern relative to the field, and gives recommendations on the ways in which the theoretical foundation and working practice of GRME can be strengthened to produce maximum impact.