Gender-Responsive Logic Models: A Step-by-Step Guide

Gender plays a massive role in how people access and experience services, resources, opportunities, you name it. By not considering gender in your programme design and implementation, you risk missing critical nuances and reinforcing inequalities. Not an ideal situation if your goal is meaningful, sustainable change.

How can you address this? By having a gender-responsive logic model. A gender-responsive logic model can highlight gender-specific needs, reveal gaps, and propose solutions that benefit everyone.

But first things first. What's a logic model?

A logic model is a visual representation that outlines the process through which a programme or project is expected to achieve its goals. It illustrates the relationships between various components, including resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, helping to ensure that all elements are aligned and working towards a common objective. The image below is an example of a logic model for an educational programme.

A gender-responsive approach considers the different needs, challenges, and opportunities for all genders. It actively seeks to reduce inequalities and promote fairness in outcomes.

The best strategy for a gender responsive approach to your logic model is to start from the get-go. I'm talking baking a gender lens into each component of the logic model rather than tacking it on as an afterthought.

But what does that actually look like in practice?

Step 1: Define Gender-Specific Objectives

Start by asking how your project impacts different genders. Define objectives that address these specific impacts.

An Example

• Generic Objective - Improve access to healthcare.
• Gender-Responsive Objective - Increase access to maternal healthcare services for women in rural areas and ensure men are engaged in reproductive health education.

Step 2: Identify Inputs with a Gender Lens

Consider what resources are needed to achieve gender-specific objectives. This includes materials, funding, and human resources that are sensitive to gender issues. Ask yourself, is there gender balance in staffing? Are there sufficient funds allocated for gender-specific activities if needed? Don't just assume - spell it out

An Example

• Generic Input - Hire healthcare workers.
• Gender-Responsive Input - Recruit and train female healthcare workers to provide culturally sensitive maternal health services.

Step 3: Design Gender-Specific Activities

Activities should be tailored to meet the needs of different genders. Think about the barriers that might prevent people from participating and address them directly.

An Example

• Generic Activity - Conduct health education workshops.
• Gender-Responsive Activity - Hold separate health workshops for women and men to address specific issues like maternal health and prostate health, ensuring safe spaces for open discussion.

Step 4: Ensure Outputs Reflect Gender Considerations

Outputs are the direct products of your activities. Make sure they are disaggregated by gender to track who is benefiting from your project.

An Example

• Generic Output - Number of health workshops conducted.
• Gender-Responsive Output - Number of health workshops conducted, with separate sessions for women and men, and the number of participants disaggregated by gender.

Step 5: Measure Gender-Specific Outcomes

Outcomes should indicate changes in behavior, knowledge, or conditions that reflect gender-specific impacts.

An Example

• Generic Outcome: Improved health knowledge in the community.
• Gender-Responsive Outcome: Increased maternal health knowledge among women and greater involvement of men in reproductive health discussions.

Step 6: Monitor and Evaluate with a Gender Perspective

Evaluation should include gender-specific indicators to assess the effectiveness of your interventions.

An Example:

• Generic Indicator: Reduction in health issues.
• Gender-Responsive Indicator: Reduction in maternal mortality rates and an increase in men’s participation in health screenings.

See what I mean? It's about intentionally considering gender at every step of the logic model, from inputs, activities straight to your impact. That way, you're not accidentally reinforcing status quo gender inequities.

Now, I know what you're thinking - this all sounds great in theory, but how do you actually develop these gender-integrated components? By involving the community!

Talk to men, women, gender minorities and get their perspectives. What are the key gender issues? How can your initiative be tailored to meet their specific needs and circumstances? Their insights are invaluable for crafting a logic model that will be legitimately responsive and effective for all genders.

At the end of the day, a gender-responsive logic model is about walking the talk on inclusion. It ensures you don't ignore half the population and create space for transformative change.

Join the webinar on logic models with Beverly Peters, Ph.D. and I for an interactive and 'hands on' session on logic models.

The last webinar on Theories of Change filled up rather quickly. Don't wait. Reserve your spot for this event NOW.??Register here: https://lnkd.in/eprH3bpn ??hashtag#LogicModel