GEM's
Framework centering Gender, Environments & Marginalized Voices.
Philosophy & Resources
Our Inclusive Systemic Thinking Philosophy
We are committed to engaging and partnering with individuals, groups and organizations using an Inclusive Systemic Thinking approach.
Inclusive Systemic Thinking (IST) is mindset to inform analysis that challenges linear, simple, cause-and-effect logic, used in many conventional research activities. Systemic thinking is required when dealing with complex social situations especially when the environmental intersections are taken into consideration. Using a systems approach means we look to understand the whole, rather than just the parts.
Our ethos is one of inclusion, engagement and building mutual capacity. At our core we believe that representation, whether active or passive, is the key to creating a world that works for everyone.
GEMs Framework
Gender, Environments & Marginalized voices
The GEMs framework can help us capture the intersections between:
- Gender equality
- Environments
- Marginalized voices
The GEMs framework is a framework for systemic intersectionality, to help us navigate complexity.
Each ‘dimensions’ contains concepts that can be linked to marginalisation. The nature of the content varies but rarely are the issues and concepts found within a GEMs dimension siloed concepts. The GEMs dimensions overlap, and we can see interconnections across them.
The practical guide “Inclusive, Systemic Evaluation for Gender, Environments and Marginalized voices” (ISE4GEMs) uses the GEMs dimensions as a focal lens to refine analysis on issues of power and oppression that matter to the stakeholders and participants impacted by an intervention.
Gender equality
We understand Gender as a continuum that goes beyond biological and binary determinations. Gendered attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed, Gender equality is defined broadly to refer to women and men, transgendered and intersex identities, captured partly in terms such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI).
Environments
We use the term environments to capture both human-made and natural socioecological landscapes and systems. The effects of climate change and resource depletion are exacerbating a number of game-changing dynamics. These include energy infrastructure challenges, water scarcities, land disputes, soil degradation, slum urbanism and food insecurity, all of which need appropriate consideration in terms their impacts.
Marginalized Voices
We capture marginalization in human but also in non-human voices. Unfortunately, groups of people and their attributes are pushed to the margins of society and assigned lesser importance, discriminated against or excluded. Moreover, there is the need to pay more attention to non-human ‘voices’ such as flora and fauna, culture, languages, ideas, etc.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality and intersectional analysis provide the foundational understanding that the GEMs dimensions. The degree of importance of one dimension or another, and the nature of their intersection, will vary within different contexts and at different times and spaces. For example, not all women experience the same oppression, not all members of a marginalized group experience the same marginalization, and no two ecological systems are the same.
ISE4GEMs Intersectionality Demonstration
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The 'ISE4GEMs'
Inclusive Systemic Evaluation for Gender, Environments and Marginalised Voices
The ISE4GEMs can be used as a stand-alone evaluation method or be incorporated into other evaluation methodologies. ISE4GEMs supports the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it was designed to evaluate complex social problems. The UN’s SDGs are the global guide for creating a better and more sustainable future. Our planet is currently under duress with multiple issues related to climate change, inequality, poverty, and injustice. Each of the 17 SDGs are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. The SDG framework recognizes the complexity of the problems we need to address.
Anne and Ellen are lead authors of a systemic evaluation guidance published by UN Women in 2018.
This work encapsulates the values and approach of Ethos of Engagement Consulting, and is used by our evaluation teams throughout the world.
It uses the GEMs Framework to structure problems, and as a focal point of analysis.
Context
Not only must an evaluator have a firm grasp on the current climate, but also on the culture, history, and societal expectations on the individuals of the given area in order to affect positive change. While it is impossible to understand a system in its entirety, the most comprehensive knowledge comes from a well-rounded representation, acknowledgment of our own preconceived notions, and the ability to develop a system that can adjust to feedback. If we ignore the context of the region we impose our own ideologies onto the system of development. It is not our job to shape the culture, it is our job to work within the culture to create a better system.
Issues of Power and Oppression
Issues of Power and oppression take hold when the stakeholders of development are made up of the elite few. The GEMs framework encourages evaluators to make room for those that have been denied a “seat at the table” by the previous system.
Inclusion
The GEMs framework prioritizes inclusivity and representation for those impacted by development, whether they be living or not. Those that are marginalized must be sought out and advocated for. Participation must be encouraged and the inability to participate must be compensated for. An all inclusive system that acknowledges the limitations of its stakeholders and adjusts to fit their needs is what the GEMs framework strives to enac
Nonhuman voices
When considering marginalized voices, it is less intuitive to consider non-humans. Animals, plants, and other existing systems all have to be considered and accounted for, and if not we must justify their exclusion and prepare for the possible emergent consequence of that exclusion.
Intersectional Theory
It is important to understand the intersectional nature of the GEMs framework. While we acknowledge the three dimensions separately, GEMs intersect with one another and are expressed at different magnitudes.
The Garden of Evaluation Approach A review of the ISE4GEMs
Authors: Daniela Schroeter, Bianca Montrosse-Moorhead, Lyssa Becho
ISE4GEMs Flower
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ISE4GEMs: Learning & Action Cycles
Watch the phases orbit. Use the Phase buttons to jump between phases.
The Principles of Our Approach
Inclusive Systemic Thinking
Inclusive systemic thinking means looking at the bigger picture while centering the voices too often left out. Our approach builds solutions that are responsive, equitable, and sustainable.
Systemic Thinking
Enables consideration of complexity, worldviews and understanding of multiple interacting factors.
Participatory Methodologies
Ensures that primary and secondary stakeholders, affected by an intervention, are actively engaged in our work.
Gender Responsive Approaches
Informed by human rights, gender equality, equity and justice, priorities, roles and relations for women, men, and non-binary identities, that affect access and control over resources, opportunities and decision making.
Climate Change and Environmental Protection Lenses
Giving non-human living systems a ‘voice’ as a stakeholder.
Authentic Thought Partners
Ethical collaboration, integrity, honesty and transparency, and be accountable to our clients and stakeholders
Learning and Capacity Development
Two-way learning for mutual growth and tools to promote change. Building local teams to do their own consultancies.
Social Justice and Inclusion
To collaboratively find those often-ignored voices (human and non-human) and hear them simultaneous while peering through the overlap with the environments and gender dimensions.
Economic Empowerment
To participate in and contribute to growth processes which respect human dignity and promote the fair distribution of economic benefits.
Commitment to Excellence
Rigour, continuous learning, reflexive practice, and improvement.
Resources & Tools
Resources & Tools for Inclusive Evaluation
Our library of resources supports inclusive and equitable evaluation through practical guides, case studies, and tools grounded in systems thinking, gender analysis, and participatory practice.
(ISE4GEMs): A new approach for the SDG era
Part A - Practitioner Theory - of the ISE4GEMs guide hones in on the theoretical concepts that support our framework. Concepts such as systems thinking, intersectionality, complexity, and feedback are addressed. Part B - Practitioner Guidance - describes step-by-step evaluation phases depicting planning and design, data collection, data analysis and reporting of evaluation practice. These methods can be followed systematically or used selectively to fit the needs of the project involved. Each chapter (or phase of evaluation) represents cycles of activity that can be repeated and revisited in an iterative and analytical way. Boundary setting and critique is critical to the approach. Practitioners are guided to define the boundaries of the relevant systems and where they overlap and interact. Mapping these systems and boundaries builds an understanding of the complexity of the problem issue and points of leverage for intervention and change.
Publisher:
UN Women
ISBN:
978-1-63214-125-5
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