The CVA was designed specifically for use in humanitarian interventions and disaster preparedness. The CVA critically considers gender and its associated roles, responsibilities and power dynamics in a particular community and seeks to meet a social need of that particular community. CVA Tools include:
Categories of capacities and vulnerabilities: Distinguishes between three categories of capacities and vulnerabilities, using an analysis matrix. The three categories used are physical, social, and motivational capacities and vulnerabilities.
Additional dimensions of 'complex reality': In order to make the CVA matrix reflect reality's complexity, five other dimensions must be added to the analysis:
Disaggregation according to other dimensions of social relations
Change over time
'Interactions' between categories of analysis
Analysis at different scales and levels of society
Disaggregation of communities by sex
• Specifically designed for disaster situations but can be used in other contexts as well.
• Can be used for planning and for assessing change.
• Can be used at different levels with detailed small-scale information or to give a more broad brush picture.
• Encourages a long-term perspective and focus on sustainability.
• Examines social interactions and psychological realms.
• Analyzing vulnerabilities can prevent a return to "things as normal."
• Possible to exclude gender analysis throughout.
• Tempting to guess some of the findings.
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