Key tips

Key tips for M&E in prevention of violence against women projects:

• Embed M&E alongside project activities

  Don't wait until the end of the project to start a monitoring and evaluation plan. Consider it an integral part of your planning and implementation. Thinking about monitoring and evaluation at the start can actually enhance project implementation and the rigor of the findings.

• Collect data that is gender sensitive

  All data collection instruments should include a question on gender identity. Due to the gendered nature of PVAW work, all questions and data should seek to reveal differences in how gender identity affects the way participants experience the project and whether or not they experienced different outcomes as a result of the project.

• Know the challenges upfront

  Evaluating projects on gender equity and PVAW presents unique challenges as it requires monitoring and evaluating social norms, attitudes and beliefs. These attitudes and beliefs are often deeply ingrained and can be hidden or unseen. Changing social norms and attitudes takes time, which may not occur within a short-term project time frame. Indicators on community attitudes are often based on self-reported measures which may be influenced by expected responses, conscious beliefs and social or cultural norms.
  

• Consider possible need for specialist evaluation expertise

  Consider whether the evaluation work can be done internally or will need allocated resourcing for an external evaluator or consultant. As a general rule, allocate approximately 10% - 15% of project funding.

• Consider post project evaluation

  As change takes a long time to occur in prevention of violence against women projects consider asking evaluation participants if they are happy to participate in a 6 month follow up survey or interview.