Evaluation of the International Center for Research on Women cooperative agreement program with AID PPC/WID : final report

offices on Women in Development (WID) issues. This external evaluation covers the period 4/85-9/87; the evaluation also assesses the extent to which the ICRW has supported institutionalization of A.I.D."s WID policy (although this was not an explicit project goal. ICRW"s services, both to Missions and to A.I.D./W"s WID office, have been well-executed and well-received. ICRW has made particularly strong contributions in: defining gender issues; elaborating sex-desegregated data; and contributing design suggestions on the basis of primary and secondary data analysis. ICRW activities have had some limitations, however. Short-term, project-specific TA has assisted specific projects, but has had minimal impact on the institutionalization of WID activities within A.I.D. TA to Missions in the form of portfolio reviews and training has had a wider impact, particularly on heightening awareness, but has still fallen short of integrating WID concerns in Mission systems or procedures. The impact of ICRW"s TA has also been limited by insufficient dissemination of materials and lessons learned. Also, ICRW"s small staff size at times contributed to scheduling difficulties. And for reasons not clear to the evaluators but acceptable to A.I.D. and ICRW, ICRW did not implement the country needs assessments, workplans, and follow-on educational/informational components originally planned. In general, the cooperative agreement mechanism has proven inappropriate both for providing TA in response to ad hoc Mission requests and for supporting the institutionalization of WID policy. Although central funding and the ease of accessing services under the agreement has encouraged Missions to seek WID-related TA, more direct Mission control over the services is needed. It is recommended that TA be continued, but through a Mission buy-in contract partially financed with central funds. A.I.D."s WID policy is not being implemented fully or vigorously, and there is little enthusiasm and few incentives for doing so. Much more attention should be given to generating an A.I.D. commitment to WID policies. Given the lack of systems and procedures, the initiative and interest of individuals is the most significant factor influencing the institutionalization of WID in A.I.D. Future initiatives should focus on developing Mission systems, procedures, and staff capabilities to undertake WID activities that contribute to overall A.I.D. program impact. Specific suggestions are provided.