Inclusive Education Programs

Gender Mainstreaming in Practice: It provides a detailed algorithm for implementing a gender perspective in all phases of a programme/project cycle: from planning to evaluation. Special attention is paid to baseline gender indicators that help monitor whether a project improves access to development resources for women and men equally, principles of civic participation, including women NGOs, in project implementation and to active promotion of gender equality in information support of the project and communication with national counterparts. #SM #Gender #NGOs

Secondary school completion in sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest in the world. A new working paper shows how jointly relaxing key demand-side constraints affects learning, graduation, and the labor market entry of talented and economically disadvantaged students in Uganda. The study randomizes access to a "big push" scholarship program covering fees, school placement, school inputs, and a cash transfer equivalent to 50 percent of the adult wage. The program raises test scores and pushes completion rates to high-income country levels; it halves fertility and increases the share of women who work while studying. Students' families of origin also benefit by becoming wealthier and happier. Benedetta Lerva Denise Ferris Margherita Fornasari https://lnkd.in/e4qMbagD

The recent announcement of Azim Premji Foundation's ₹2,250 crore commitment to girls' higher education is a game-changer for educational equity in India. This is considered as the country's 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 by a not-for-profit private entity. As someone working in the impact measurement space, I'm struck by both the scale and targeted approach of this initiative. The data tells a compelling story: while primary school enrollment is nearly 93% gross, only 56.2% complete 12th standard. The gender gap widens significantly at the college level as the economically disadvantaged groups can rarely afford college and when they do, it’s often the boys who are enrolled and the girls who sacrifice their education. What's powerful about this program is its focus on direct financial support (₹𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆) to girls from government schools - addressing one of the primary barriers preventing talented young women from continuing their education. At 4th Wheel Social Impact, we've consistently seen that targeted financial interventions with clear beneficiary criteria often deliver the most measurable outcomes. I'm particularly interested in how they'll measure success beyond enrollment numbers. Will they track graduation rates, employment outcomes, or socioeconomic mobility? These longitudinal indicators would provide valuable insights for the entire education and development sector. What educational interventions have you seen that effectively address systemic inequities? Source: Mint #GirlsEducation #ImpactMeasurement #DataDrivenChange #EdEquity

Every policy picks winners and losers, even when it claims to be neutral. That “neutral” infrastructure budget? It built roads that men use for business while women still walk miles for water. That “universal” education programme? It freed boys to attend school while girls stayed home to care for siblings. 👉 There’s no such thing as gender-neutral policy... only policies where we measured the gender impact, and policies where we didn’t bother. That’s why the Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming for Gender Equality Results is so valuable. It doesn’t just tell you why gender matters, it shows you how to make sure equality is built in from the start. Practical takeaways from the handbook: Integrate gender at design stage → Waiting until implementation makes adjustments costly, tokenistic, and often ineffective. Use sex-disaggregated data → Without it, inequalities stay invisible. With it, you can see who benefits, who doesn’t, and why. Apply gender analysis to budgets and policies → Money isn’t neutral. Track how allocations affect women, men, and gender-diverse groups differently. Measure transformation, not just participation → Counting women in a project isn’t the same as shifting power, resources, or opportunities. #GenderMainstreaming #Gender 🔥 Follow me for similar content ✅ Join my mailing list to receive content directly to you inbox. It's free! https://lnkd.in/ec8mqV2M

Gender-sensitive data collection and estimation are essential for producing statistics that reflect the realities of both women and men. This training module was developed under the Asia-Pacific Network of Statistical Training Institutes to provide statisticians, researchers and civil society with practical guidance on integrating gender perspectives into data processes, from collection to estimation and analysis . This module covers the following key aspects: – Rationale and learning objectives for mainstreaming gender in data systems – Integration of gender considerations in censuses, administrative records, registries and household surveys – Specific guidance for time-use surveys and violence against women surveys, addressing design, sampling and interviewer training – Common gender biases in data processes and strategies to minimise them through careful design and training – Methods for gender data estimation, including identifying research questions, applying international standards and developing tabulation plans – Use of internationally agreed metadata and repositories (UNSD, ILO, WHO, UNESCO, FAO) to align concepts and methods – Recommendations for multi-level sex disaggregation and intersectional analysis across population groups The content emphasises that gender must be integrated at all stages of statistical work—from questionnaire design and sample selection to interviewer training and coding—to avoid bias and ensure relevance. By using international standards, engaging gender specialists and applying careful disaggregation, the module equips practitioners to generate more accurate, inclusive and policy-relevant gender statistics that can inform sustainable development and social equity.

#VISION OF EDUCATION FOR MY SON & HIS GENERATION ✍🏽 My kid and his peers will grow up in a world riddled with #climatechange challenges! It's evident that our education system needs a radical transformation. Here's a blueprint for revolutionizing education for a sustainable future for all: 1. #EcologicalLiteracy: It is not sufficient for our kids to ace language and STEM! They need education on nature and climate resilience. 2. #SustainableMindset: Responsible, sustainable consumption and production should be natural ways of existing for our future generation. 3. #CircularEconomy Education: Our curriculum, pedagogy and assessments should prioritise resource conservation, waste reduction, and innovative recycling practices. 4. #CommunityEngagement: Education should embrace community gardens, collaborative projects, and service-learning opportunities so that our kids live while learn and not really wait for a certificate to enter community living. 5. #ClimateEducation: It is high time we make our children informed decision makers about their future by integrating climate education into curricula (climate change, impact and solutions). 6. #CollectiveAction: Equip students with the skills and knowledge to engage in policy advocacy and activism. 7. #Entrepreneurship and #Innovation: Create real life sandboxes to allow children to develop and implement solutions to environmental challenges. 8. #LifelongLearning: Promote lifelong learning and continuous skill development, emphasizing adaptability and resilience that the future generation will inevitably require in the face of dire climate consequences. 9. #InclusiveEducation: Ensure that education is accessible and inclusive for all, regardless of background or circumstance since we never know how the living conditions around us would change. 10. #CollaborativeAction: Foster collaboration between educational institutions, governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities to drive collective action towards sustainability.

A Gender Integration Guide is a practical document that outlines how to systematically incorporate gender considerations into policies, programs, research, or organisational practices. It helps ensure that the different needs, roles, experiences, and power dynamics of all genders, especially women and marginalised groups, are taken into account and addressed. ✅ Key Components of a Gender Integration Guide: Introduction Purpose of the guide Definition of gender integration Importance of gender equity and inclusion Conceptual Framework Gender concepts (e.g., gender equality, gender equity, gender norms, intersectionality) Legal and policy frameworks (national and international) Gender Analysis Tools and frameworks (e.g., Harvard Analytical Framework, Gender Analysis Matrix) How to conduct gender analysis at different stages of a project or program (design, implementation, M&E) Steps for Gender Integration Planning Stage: Integrate gender in objectives, indicators, and activities Implementation Stage: Ensure inclusive participation, and adapt service delivery Monitoring & Evaluation: Use sex-disaggregated data, apply gender-sensitive indicators Practical Tools and Checklists Gender checklist for project proposals Gender budgeting tool Risk assessment for gender-based violence Capacity Building Gender training modules Roles of gender focal points Strategies to institutionalise gender awareness Case Studies/Best Practices Real-world examples of successful gender integration Resources and References Key readings, toolkits, and frameworks from organisations like UN Women, WHO, USAID, etc. 📌 Optional Additions (depending on your context): Sector-specific guidance (e.g., gender in education, agriculture, health, STEM) Intersectionality guidance (e.g., gender and disability, age, race) Monitoring frameworks for tracking gender transformative change Gender, Work & Organization, Gender at Work India, Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI), Gender Hub Africa, Gender Equity Unit, CGIAR Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Gender in Geopolitics Institute, International Gender Champions, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Gender Equitable Interactions Research Team, INSEAD Gender Initiative, Institute for Gender and the Economy, The Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University, Institut für Gender & Diversity (IGD), Gender Training Institute, African Gender Research Institute, Institute for Gender and Development Studies Mona Campus Unit, Miriam College Women and Gender Institute

“Isn’t everything we do already gender-inclusive?” Well — not necessarily. A well-meaning question from a colleague during a recent internal discussion on #gender and #mobility is one worth considering. Gender inclusion doesn’t happen by default. It needs intent, design, and action. Here are two examples — one where we are intentionally weaving inclusion in, and another where we discovered a powerful opportunity to do better. 🔌 Electrification of auto-rickshaws: A gender lens in action   In our ongoing work to implement Chennai’s EV policy, we saw the electrification of auto-rickshaws not just as a clean mobility solution — but also as a strategic lever for advancing gender equity. Chennai has over 100,000 autos on the road. Fewer than 500 are driven by women. Let that sink in. This disparity isn’t due to a lack of interest — it’s rooted in systemic and social barriers: lack of gender-responsive training, complex licensing processes, safety concerns, societal perceptions, and limited welfare support. Interestingly, one health-related barrier we heard from women was the vibration of ICE autos, which EVs eliminate. A small but telling example of how technology, when paired with intent, can improve gender outcomes. 🅿️ Parking management: A fresh lens for inclusion  This month, a progressive parking policy was adopted in Chennai. It includes provisions for professional parking fee collection and enforcement. During a conversation, a gender rights advocate made a striking point:  "What if the policy mandated that at least 50% of parking management staff were women?" That one clause could change perceptions of safety, unlock new jobs for women, and set the tone for inclusive implementation. It was a moment of clarity: 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 — 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝. 🎙️ I had the opportunity to share these reflections during a panel discussion hosted by the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC)-UNDP and the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, focused on boosting women's workforce participation. It was heartening to see intent turning into conversation, and conversation turning into commitment. We're seeing signs of progress.  But to truly transform our cities and systems, we must incorporate the gender lens into every space—from auto stands to policy tables. We at ITDP - India are excited to collaborate with all departments and partners we work with to advance inclusion. How are you intentionally designing inclusion into your projects? We would love to know more. Grateful to: Alagappan Ramanathan, Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman, Sooraj E M, Vaishali Singh, Bezylal Praysingh, Aditya Rane, Jagdish Temkar Ravneet Goraya #GenderEquity #WomenInMobility #InclusiveCities #UrbanPolicy #EVPolicy #ParkingPolicy #SustainableTransport

From Awareness to Action: How Male Engagement Shifts Gender Norms in Health In recent years, gender-transformative programs have gained traction as a strategy to improve health outcomes by shifting restrictive gender norms. But how effective are they, and what role do men and boys play in driving this change? A landmark review by Levy et al. (2020) analyzed gender-transformative programs aimed at shifting gender norms for children, adolescents, and young adults (0-24 years old). The findings were both promising and concerning: ✅Programs led to improvements in gender-related behaviors and health outcomes. ❌ But only 16% showed strong evidence of actual norm change. 🚨 Most programs targeted women and girls, often neglecting the role of men and boys in shifting harmful masculinity norms. Fast forward to 2025, and a new systematic review by Gottert et al. moves this conversation forward by analyzing how male engagement programs impact gender norms and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. Gottert et al. reviewed 35 systematic reviews and nearly 1,000 studies and found that engaging men in SRH programs not only improves health outcomes but also contributes to norm change in key ways: ✔ Men as Clients – Encouraging men to access SRH services (e.g., HIV testing, contraception) helps normalize help-seeking behavior, breaking down stigma. ✔ Men as Partners – Supporting their female partners in reproductive health fosters shared decision-making and challenges traditional power imbalances in relationships. ✔ Men as Agents of Change – When men actively promote gender-equitable norms in their communities, it leads to wider social change beyond individual behavior shifts. Key Findings from Gottert et al. ·      Male engagement programs lead to positive shifts in gender attitudes—men are more likely to support women’s contraceptive choices, engage in caregiving, and reject harmful gender norms. ·      Behavioral change accompanies attitude shifts—men who participate in interventions are more likely to seek HIV testing, support partners in SRH, and challenge gender stereotypes in their communities. ·      Unlike Levy’s findings, Gottert provides stronger evidence that male engagement leads to measurable norm change, not just temporary shifts in behavior. What’s Next? Scaling Up Norm-Shifting Approaches Levy et al. highlighted that most norm-shifting programs remain small-scale pilots—rarely institutionalized in health systems or policies. Gottert et al. argue that to create lasting change, we must integrate norm-shifting strategies into mainstream health and development programs by: The Takeaway If gender-transformative programs are to succeed, they must move beyond just targeting women and girls—we need men actively engaged as partners and advocates for gender equality. #GenderEquality #MaleEngagement #NormShifting #PublicHealth #SocialNorms #ReproductiveHealth #SRHR #BehaviorChange #HealthEquity #SocialMarketing #AdolescentHealth