How To Do a Gender Analysis

Women and girls in all parts of the world experience discrimination. Since discrimination based on gender is present in all spheres of life, we have to make sure that our development programmes and projects promote equal participation.

Our vision is that in all areas and at all hierarchical levels, all human beings are perceived and treated as equal. We are inspired by the bible: “Then God created Adam, the people, as a divine image; as an image of God they were created; male and female has he, has she, has God created them.“ (Gen 1:27) To accomplish this vision, Mission 21's programmes work with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" and SDG 16+ "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels."

Women and girls should not be left behind, therefore we must include a gender perspective in development programmes and projects. "Gender analysis" helps you to understand disparities between women, men and other gender identities' realities in any context. We all should have equal opportunities. To conduct a "gender analysis" is thus mandatory, and a requirement to receive funding. Your project can only be relevant and effective if it addresses the real development problems of beneficiaries - and if it produces the outcomes that those people need and want.

This learning site shows you how to integrate gender analysis in your project cycle management.

• Gender
• Sex
• Masculinity
• Femininity
• Equality
• Equity
• Intersectionality
• Targeted action

You can also refer to the glossary below the video for more definitions.

Introduction to Gender Analysis

Key questions to include in your gender analysis

To analyse gender in your development project context, ask these key questions:

• What are the roles, responsibilities, needs and interests of women, men and other gender identities?
• What are their relations to each other? 
• How do they participate in decision-making in your project and in their community?
• Do they have equal access to and control over resources and services?

Click on the button below to read about including gender in each step of the project cycle

Reflect on what you've learned

In this section, you find resources for further learning on how to practically incorporate gender analysis in your development project or programme.

Mission 21's Women and Gender Desk developed a "Toolkit on Gender Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming". It offers definitions of key concepts and an anthropological approach to examine gender relationships.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supports Mission 21. Their practical guides "How to Do a Gender Analysis" and "How to Mainstream Gender in Project Cycle Management" provide you with all the information you need to successfully implement a gender analysis.

Faith-based organisation PMU provides a theological perspective to gender equality work in "Church and Gender Equality". On page 65, they present useful questions to ask in a gender analysis.

To stay in touch and discuss gender mainstreaming practices we invite you to contact the Women and Gender Desk of Mission 21 for a zoom meet up. There, we can discuss concepts and strategies using concrete examples.

CONTACT US: women.gender@mission-21.org