Incorporating gender, equity, and human rights into the action planning process: moving from rhetoric to action

Background: Mainstreaming of gender, equity, and human rights (GER) is an important focus of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN organizations. This paper explores the role of action plans in mainstreaming GER. This paper is informed by a theory-driven evaluation lens. Design: A theory of change framework explored the following seven dimensions of how action plans can implement mainstreaming of GER: awareness of the foundations of GER; understanding of context; planning to impact GER; implementation for GER; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; planning for sustainability; agenda setting and buy-in. The seven dimensions were used to analyze the action plans. Reviewers also explored innovations within each of the action plans for the seven dimensions. Results: GER mainstreaming is more prominent in the foundation, background, and planning components of the plan but becomes less so along the theory of change including implementation; monitoring and evaluation; sustainability; and agenda setting and buy-in. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that much more can be done to incorporate GER considerations into the action planning process. Nine specific recommendations are identified for WHO and other organizations. A theory-driven approach as described in the paper is potentially helpful for developing clarity by which action plans can help with mainstreaming GER considerations

Evaluation – rethink, reshape, reform

The evaluation focused on the Teasdale-Corti initiative which supported programs of work combining applied research, knowledge translation and capacity building to solve pressing problems in low and middle income countries (LICs). The paper describes the evaluation approach, data sources, evidence of impact, research outputs and bibliometrics, and project outcomes. Engagement of knowledge users needs to be better planned for and defined. An evaluation framework can ensure consistency in messaging through the course of the project, especially when shorter timelines are framing complex situations