Embedding gender-responsive approaches in impact assessment and management

Abstract

This paper introduces the special issue on gender in impact assessment and management. We discuss the absence of gender-responsive approaches in conventional impact assessment practice and management, and associated implications for meaningfully addressing gender relations and the rights of women and LGBTQI+ people. We also introduce the special issue, which sheds light on gaps in impact assessment but also demonstrates that practical approaches exist to further embed gender-responsive approaches. Collectively, a central argument emanating from the contributions is that gender-neutral approaches to impact assessment and management can perpetuate or even create new forms of gender discrimination. This runs counter to the expectations set by international human rights law and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which rest on the central principles of nondiscrimination, substantive gender equality, and 'leaving no one behind'. Four themes for more gender-responsive impact assessment and management are highlighted: (1) genderresponsive context analysis; (2) gender-responsive engagement and increased participation of women and LGBTQI+ people; (3) adaptation of tools, methods, and skills for enhanced gender responsiveness; and (4) embedding gender-responsive approaches from the project level to the governance sphere. Without presuming transferability across contexts, the contributions show that such strategies are necessary and possible in diverse global settings.

Vulnerable people in the context of social impact assessment and management

“…Yet, in those same areas, there are women who will not be able to benefit from such opportunities because of socio-cultural norms, illness, caring responsibilities for other family members, lack of education, or limited access to micro-finance. To develop practical support measures for women in these situations, the SIA should include a gender-responsive context analysis and engagement strategy (Götzmann & Bainton, 2021). The same applies to elderly people living in poor and remote rural locations with limited access to services.…”

The need for ethnographic methods in impact assessment

“…Other vulnerable groups are also often left out of consideration in the impact assessment, such as those with disabilities, women, youth, and LGBTQ+ groups (Stienstra et al, 2020;see Chapter 17). In order to foster more inclusive SIA processes, a gender-based and intersectional approach is being increasingly advocated to identify contexts of marginalisation experienced by specific individuals and social groups (Götzmann & Bainton, 2021). Ethnographic fieldwork, which reveals the complexities of the local context and the necessity for collaboration with local experts, is needed in order to identify those groups and individuals who are often overlooked in stakeholder engagement activities.…”

Strategies for gender mainstreaming in climate finance mobilisation in southern Africa

“…resource management, consultation and free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and harassment however, the standards tend to adopt a 'vulnerable groups' approach and provide few requirements for adopting a gender-responsive approach or attention to the situation and rights of women [12]. The absence of clear provisions pertaining to gender mainstreaming in the IFC Performance Standards is a significant gap in the integration of social sciences in development finance.…”