Tools of gender analysis : a guide to field methods for bringing gender into sustainable resource management

The guide is based on research conducted between 1990 and 1993 in Kenya, Honduras, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Nepal by ECOGEN (Ecology, Community Organization, and Gender), a joint research project of Clark University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The following tools are discussed: (1) traditional tools to improve problem identification (wealth ranking, in-depth household interviews, focus group discussions/group interviews, participant observation); (2) gender-specific tools to improve project design and implementation (gender resource mapping, confirmation surveys, gender-disaggregated seasonal activities calendar, and activities, resource, and benefits analysis); and (3) tools to integrate gender concerns into project management, e.g., gender-sensitive monitoring of project progress. Each of these tools is given a brief (1-2 page) description covering definition, purpose, materials needed, suggested approach, value, and an example from the ECOGEN project. Also briefly described are two new methods recently introduced in Kenya: Gender Analysis Activity Profile, and Gender Analysis Matrix. The guide concludes by noting that the next step for ECOGEN is to integrate gender analysis with participatory methodologies for data collection and community participation.