INGO programmes and gender mainstreaming

International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) fund and support partner organisations and development programmes in the global south.

Some of these programmes specifically address gender equality issues or women’s rights. However, all INGO programmes – whatever the focus – should be designed and implemented based on an understanding of gender dynamics, with a view to promoting equality and ending discrimination. Known as ‘gender mainstreaming’.

A gender mainstreaming approach ensures that development takes into account the specific needs, interests and views of women; do not inadvertently harm women and girls or perpetuate damaging social norms; and actively contribute to overcoming the gender injustice that fuels poverty and undermines sustainable development.

GADN Working Group

The Programmes Working Group brings together INGO practitioners working on programme delivery and implementation (rather than advocacy). Members share different approaches to achieve gender equality through and in development work, and learn from each other about opportunities, trends and innovations in gender equality work.

GADN Resources

Explore GADN resources and learn more about INGO programmes and gender mainstreaming.

Programmes

• A Theory of Change on Gender Equality & Women's and Girls' Empowerment (DFID PPA Learning Partnership Gender Group, 2015)

• What Works to Achieve Gender Equality and Women's and Girls' Empowerment? (DFID PPA Learning Partnership Gender Group, 2015)

• 10 top tips for developing gender sensitive/transformative project proposals (Plan UK, 2014)

• Gender and Indicators Cutting Edge Pack (BRIDGE, 2007)

• Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation for Women’s Rights: Thirteen Insights for Women’s Organizations (AWID, 2011)

Gender Mainstreaming

• Equity and inclusion: Awareness raising training Wateraid (2010)

• Gender Mainstreaming Resource Pack: A practical guide for programming Trocaire (2010)

• The Gender Manual: A Practical Guide DFID (2008)

• Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction: A training pack Oxfam GB (2011)

• Gender and water: Mainstreaming gender equality in water, hygiene, and sanitation interventions Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

• 'Gender mainstreaming: recognising and building on progress. Views from the UK Gender and Development Network' - Helen Derbyshire, 2012.

• Guidelines for Mainstreaming Gender in Security Risk Management European Interagency Security Forum (2012)

• Improving Equality and Diversity in Your Organisation - A Guide for Third Sector CEOs ACEVO (2011)

• Incorporating Gender into your NGO Wassenaar, N. (2006)

• Mainstreaming Gender Equality: Emerging Evaluation Lessons African Development Bank (2011)

• Reflection on Building CSO Capacity to Integrate Gender and Diversity Equality Dawson, E. (2011)

• Revealing the Power of Gender Mainstreaming: Enhancing Development Effectiveness of Non-government organizations in Africa Interaction (2005)

• Talent not Tokenism: The business benefits of workplace diversity. Equality and Human Rights Commission (2008)

• Ten tips for developing gender sensitive/transformative project proposals Plan UK (2011)

• EIGE: FAQS - Gender Mainstreaming

• Think Out Loud: A Practical Guide to Gender Mainstreaming in Community Organisations

• Video: Joanne Sandler on Gender Mainstreaming

• Gender at Work

• An Employer's Guide to Creating an Inclusive Workplace

• Why we have too few women leaders

Southern-based organisations’ resources

• A Toolkit for Action Engaging Youth to Achieve Gender Equity (Promundo Global, 2013)

• Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation for Women’s Rights: Thirteen Insights for Women’s Organizations (AWID, 2011)

• Capturing change in women’s realities (AWID, December 2010)

Other GADN Issues

📷 GADN members at Members’ Meeting on Safeguarding (December 2019)