QualKit - putting the quality into qualitative GESI transformation measurement

qualKit: Monitoring, evaluation and learning of transformative gender equality and inclusion changes in development programs

Measuring transformative changes in gender equality, including changes in social norms, structures and agency is a complex area, and yet is critical to understanding both intended and unintended changes with respect to how women, girls and other vulnerable groups are affected by programs. This has been made increasingly difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional face to face methods such as interviews and focus groups are not possible in a range of contexts.

The qualKit web-based resource has curated and adapted a range of qualitative monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) methods to travel restricted times, and includes a section on a range of the latest digital tools which can be used for qualitative data collection and analysis.

To develop the qualKit, Water for Women partner Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney (ISF-UTS) surveyed and interviewed civil society organisations (CSOs) and research organisations to identify how they were collecting and engaging with qualitative data, their interests and needs.  A series of workshops were delivered to build the capacity of CSOs in the theory and practice of qualitative data collection and analysis. ISF-UTS then curated eight qualitative MEL approaches and associated tools and resources and worked with three CSOs to test the resources and some of the approaches based on their needs.