Gender and Equity Network of South Asia celebrated its one-year anniversary, marking a mini-celebration with a close-knit group of forty from across the world. Anchored by GENSA’s chairperson – Sonal Zaveri, the virtual celebration was marked with the members acknowledging the contribution the GENSA network has made to their professional growth and development and a special keynote by Katherine Hay – Deputy Director, Gender Equality, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was invited for a key-note on ‘Surfacing Inequity and Being the Change: Gender and Power in Evaluation Practice and Impact’.
Hay’s presentation largely focused on the role of evaluators in ensuring Gender Inclusivity. She highlighted that often times, it is assumed that development pathways would naturally ensure equity in gender; however, it is erroneous to believe that evaluators can be detached observers. When addressing gender, one must also address power and that evaluators may be ‘disruptors’ as they question whose values are being addressed and who is being left behind. The evaluator could play a critical role in shaping the values of the evaluation, to make it inclusive and shape equity. You can see Hay’s presentation at: https://gensanetwork.org/events-page/welcome-katherine-hay-deputy-director-gender-equality-gates-foundation/
Gender and Equity Network South Asia or GENSA is a special interest group of the Community of Evaluators – South Asia (COE-SA) that promotes an equity and gender lens in evaluations, particularly giving voice to the special challenges from a South Asian perspective. With a network of 200+ members from 7 countries in South Asia, members at GENSA learn, share, exchange, and find innovative solutions and responses to evaluation challenges unique to South Asia through its series of webinars, events, and opportunity updates. Built on the power of community and volunteerism, GENSA is happy to welcome more members to its network. You can know more about GENSA, and sign up as a member/ volunteer at: www.gensanetwork.org
