T 001 Degree of integration of gender and social equity

T 001 Degree of integration of gender and social equity into the project

To meet our GSE commitments, and given the increasingly fragile and complex contexts we work in, we need to be more intentional about why, how, and with whom we plan and implement our work, both as an organization and through our programs.

Gender inequalities increase existing risks and make individuals and communities more vulnerable. Social norms, unequal access to resources and decision-making, and different roles and expectations mean that women, men, girls, boys, and people of diverse gender identities face challenges and opportunities differently. In many places, gender-based discrimination reduces people’s ability to cope, recover, and move forward. This makes the effects of poverty, conflict, climate change, and economic shocks even more severe.

This is why, at Helvetas, we must actively address and measure gender inequalities, and work toward more transformative approaches that challenge the root causes of discrimination and lead to lasting, equitable change.

How to use this marker	The GSE marker consists of two components: a set of guiding questions and a 5-point scale, differentiating the levels of integration of GSE: negative, blind, sensitive, responsive, or transformative. The guiding questions help you see where your project currently stands and where it needs to improve. They are organized in a table with three columns, showing the three levels of integration. It is highly recommended to use these questions at the start of the project, as well as during annual planning processes , mid-term and end of project reviews. Diagnosis questions (yes/no) to identify the necessary integration level at early planning stage. Project design questions (open-ended) to guide planning of integration of climate and disaster resilience. Project evaluation questions (open-ended) for reviews and assessments at the end of your project implementation. As all Helvetas projects must aim at reaching at least the level of sensitive, there are no guiding questions for the levels of negative and blind. Projects aiming for or reaching the responsive or transformative level should also discuss the questions from the lower levels. Here are the guiding Questions
How to report	As part of the annual reporting, the reflections based on the guiding questions should be summarized in the narrative part, and finally lead to a self-assessment of the project's level of integration on the 5-point mainstreaming scale: Negative: The project reinforces or worsens gender and/or social inequalities, increasing risks, exclusion, or vulnerabilities for women, men, or people of diverse gender identities or social groups. Blind: The project does not consider gender and/or cultural-social dynamics, roles, or inequalities in its design or management, and risks reinforcing existing discrimination or maintaining the status quo. Sensitive: The project acknowledges gender and/or social inequalities and includes basic measures, such as awareness-raising or targeted activities. to support or protect groups who are underserved, typically aiming to reach at least 30% women and/or marginalized groups. Responsive: The project systematically integrates a gender and social equity analysis, and designs activities that actively reduce identified gender and/or social barriers. It meaningfully involves and benefits women and/or socially marginalized groups, typically reaching at least 50% of them. Transformative: The project follows a deliberate strategy to challenge and change harmful gender and/or social norms, power dynamics, and structural barriers. It includes actions that influence institutional practices, rules, or policies, and promotes long-term, equitable shifts in gender and/or social relations The result needs to be reported within PMP. In addition, the GSE marker can also be used to reflect on the overall integration of Gender and Social Equity at the country program level. Applying the GSE marker can be useful at all stages of the project cycle (especially in the design and mid-term phase). Using the marker is not an ‘individual’ exercise. It is recommended to involve project team members (and partners whenever possible) and integrate it in PCM processes. Here is the marker and the levels of integration
Annual Reporting Mandatory	Yes

How to use this marker

The GSE marker consists of two components: a set of guiding questions and a 5-point scale, differentiating the levels of integration of GSE: negative, blind, sensitive, responsive, or transformative.

The guiding questions help you see where your project currently stands and where it needs to improve. They are organized in a table with three columns, showing the three levels of integration. It is highly recommended to use these questions at the start of the project, as well as during annual planning processes , mid-term and end of project reviews.

Diagnosis questions (yes/no) to identify the necessary integration level at early planning stage.
Project design questions (open-ended) to guide planning of integration of climate and disaster resilience.
Project evaluation questions (open-ended) for reviews and assessments at the end of your project implementation.

As all Helvetas projects must aim at reaching at least the level of sensitive, there are no guiding questions for the levels of negative and blind. Projects aiming for or reaching the responsive or transformative level should also discuss the questions from the lower levels.

Here are the guiding Questions

How to report

As part of the annual reporting, the reflections based on the guiding questions should be summarized in the narrative part, and finally lead to a self-assessment of the project's level of integration on the 5-point mainstreaming scale:

Negative: The project reinforces or worsens gender and/or social inequalities, increasing risks, exclusion, or vulnerabilities for women, men, or people of diverse gender identities or social groups.
Blind: The project does not consider gender and/or cultural-social dynamics, roles, or inequalities in its design or management, and risks reinforcing existing discrimination or maintaining the status quo.
Sensitive: The project acknowledges gender and/or social inequalities and includes basic measures, such as awareness-raising or targeted activities. to support or protect groups who are underserved, typically aiming to reach at least 30% women and/or marginalized groups.
Responsive: The project systematically integrates a gender and social equity analysis, and designs activities that actively reduce identified gender and/or social barriers. It meaningfully involves and benefits women and/or socially marginalized groups, typically reaching at least 50% of them.
Transformative: The project follows a deliberate strategy to challenge and change harmful gender and/or social norms, power dynamics, and structural barriers. It includes actions that influence institutional practices, rules, or policies, and promotes long-term, equitable shifts in gender and/or social relations

The result needs to be reported within PMP.

In addition, the GSE marker can also be used to reflect on the overall integration of Gender and Social Equity at the country program level.

Applying the GSE marker can be useful at all stages of the project cycle (especially in the design and mid-term phase). Using the marker is not an ‘individual’ exercise. It is recommended to involve project team members (and partners whenever possible) and integrate it in PCM processes.

Here is the marker and the levels of integration

Annual Reporting Mandatory

Yes

Propose Improvements

Print or Save in pdf

T 001 Degree of integration of gender and social equity

Marker Name

Marker rational

Applying the marker

Here are the guiding Questions

Here is the marker and the levels of integration