Does 'Feminist Evaluation' Needs a New Name?

When you hear the term "Feminist Evaluation," what comes to mind? For some, it might evoke images of women's rights activists or academic discussions steeped in gender theory. For others the term might resonate deeply and feel empowering.

Labels are powerful.

They shape our perceptions and influence our willingness to engage with new ideas. The term "feminist evaluation" can be a bit of a conversational hand grenade. Drop it into a meeting or casual chat, and you might see people recoil faster than you can say "patriarchy."

But why? Well, for starters, the word "feminist" comes with a lot of baggage. Some people picture angry protesters, others think it's only about women's issues, and some folks (bless their hearts) still think it means "man-hating. For these persons the term might seem exclusive or politically charged.

While these associations are valid, they can also act as barriers, preventing people from fully understanding and embracing the methodology.

Feminist evaluation is about so much more than just focusing on women—it’s about promoting gender equality, inclusivity, and social justice in all its forms. This disparity in interpretations (positive and negative) can create a significant barrier.

Imagine an organisation that might benefit immensely from feminist evaluation principles—such as a company looking to improve its workplace diversity or a non-profit aiming to make its programmess more inclusive. If the term "feminist" feels too polarising, they might shy away from exploring what feminist evaluation could offer, even though its principles could profoundly enhance their work.

Feminist Evaluation: A Broader Perspective

At its core, feminist evaluation is about equality and inclusivity. It’s about ensuring that all voices, especially those traditionally marginalised, are heard and valued. This approach can transform the way we assess and improve programmess, policies, and practices.

For example, a city is evaluating its public transportation system. A traditional evaluation might look at things like ridership numbers, on-time performance, and cost-efficiency. All good stuff, right?

Now, a feminist evaluation would dig deeper. It might ask:

• Are the bus routes serving all communities equitably, or are some neighborhoods left out?
• Is the system accessible for people with disabilities?
• Do women feel safe using public transport at night?
• Are there cultural barriers preventing certain groups from using public transport?

See what I mean? It's not just about women – it's about considering everyone's needs and experiences, especially those who are often overlooked.

The Name Game

So here's where I want us all to put on our thinking caps. If "feminist evaluation" is causing more eye-rolls than enlightenment, should we consider rebranding it? What if we called it something like:

Inclusive Evaluation

To emphasise the broad goal of including diverse perspectives and addressing multiple forms of inequality.

Equity-Focused Evaluation

To highlight the commitment to fairness and justice in the evaluation process.

Social Justice Evaluation

Reflects the broader aim of challenging systemic inequalities and promoting societal change.

Intersectional Evaluation

Conveys the importance of considering multiple, overlapping identities and experiences.

These names might resonate more broadly and invite a wider audience to engage with the principles and practices of feminist evaluation. Or maybe you have an even better idea?

What are your thoughts?

At the end of the day, feminist evaluation – or whatever we might call it – is about making sure we're considering everyone when we assess policies, programmes, or systems. It's about creating a fairer world for all of us.

So, what do you think? Is it time for a rebrand, or should we focus on educating people about what feminist evaluation really means? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below and let's get this conversation going!

Remember, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – but would it get more people to stop and smell it? Food for thought!

Join the upcoming webinar on 7 August 2024 to learn more about feminist evaluations.

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