Exploring innovative monitoring and evaluation practices tailored for gender-based violence programmes

WHAT IS THE HUMANITARIAN NEED?

Nearly nine years of conflict in Syria has left many people, whether inside or outside the country, vulnerable to many different forms of GBV.

Despite the reasonable number of organisations working on GBV in the area, the information needed on currently applied M&E practices, gaps, and innovative opportunities for development is still very limited.

This information is needed to successfully assess the impact and outcomes of such programmes, regardless of the presence of obstacles that include the nature of protracted crisis, conservative society, ever-changing dominance-map among fighting groups including extremists, and the highly competitive environment among implementing organisations.

WHAT IS THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION?

This innovation project was in the problem recognition phase, and therefore aimed to provide a deeper understanding of localised GBV M&E approaches.

This project sought to raise the perception level of stakeholders and organisations supporting GBV programmes by providing a better understanding of the current barriers, methodologies, and opportunities of innovation. It also aimed to support the development of more effective M&E tools to improve the measurement of the impact and outcomes of such programmes.

The project started with in-depth analysis, joint discussions, reflection, and information sharing. It ended in identifying opportunities of innovation to improve the flow of information, services, and optimal conclusions in M&E.

The additional information this project provided – such as lessons learnt, success stories, case studies, strengths, weaknesses, and the initial materials and suggestions for M&E training and capacity building – will be helpful for practitioners and implementers and will further enrich the knowledge, studies, and the innovative ideas for those who are interested.

WHAT DID THE PROJECT ACHIEVE?

The project provided new context-based perspectives and insights on measuring the impact of emergency programmes on GBV in Syria.

Its outputs included:

1. A review and analysis of the current practices applied for measuring the impact of GBV programmes in the Syrian context. Reasearch was conducted through surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions, inside and outside Syria targeting GBV working organisations and practitioners.
2. The identification of innovation opportunities for measuring the impact of GBV programmes in the Syrian context.

The preliminary research conducted by SEMA was picked up by the GBV sub-cluster and informed the creation of a toolkit for measuring GBV programming.

Banner photo credit: MHD. Rasheed/SEMA