Evaluating Gender Dynamics in Fragile Situations

Abstract This chapter emphasizes the vital task of evaluating gender equality and women’s economic empowerment interventions in fragile contexts, shedding light on their inherent challenges regarding validity and reliability. Operating within dynamic and complex settings, a uniform evaluation approach is not feasible. Drawing from case studies in Pakistan and India, this chapter unveils strategies for addressing these challenges. In the sensitive realm of evaluating gender and gender-based violence interventions, it is prudent to employ established methods and approaches to ensure the well-being of affected populations and optimize evaluation outcomes. The chapter delves into a spectrum of innovative methods, including traditional interviews, story gathering, predictive analytics, qualitative comparative analysis, and the utilization of modern story-based data collection tools. Additionally, it explores a recent study on the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on attitudes and behaviors in India, emphasizing the holistic nature of empowerment that encompasses sociopsychological aspects alongside economic empowerment.