InterAction’s Gender Audit is a tool for assessing the integration of gender into an organization and its policies, programs, and projects. The participatory audit process involves three steps for identifying organizational strengths and challenges, including a survey, focus group discussions, and action planning. The Gender Audit survey consists of a long version with 92 questions or a shorter version with 20 questions, covering topics critical to gender integration within an organization, such as political will, technical capacity, organizational culture, and accountability. Following the survey, a more in-depth focus group session is held with staff to discuss the results from the survey and to identify opportunities and strategies for strengthening gender integration. Out of these discussions, a basic action plan with specific items and targets that build on institutional strengths are outlined in the Gender Plan of Action. This plan includes staff recommendations for improvements identified in each stage of the audit.
• Highlights areas for organizational and programmatic strengthening using participatory processes and methods.
• Provides a simple and accessible way to quickly gauge gender integration followed by more in-depth reflection and analysis by focus groups.
• Multiple stakeholders' voices are involved in the assessment process.
• Provides opportunities to explore political barriers and constraints to gender equitable policies and programs within an organization.
• Reliance on the commitment from senior staff and gender focal teams could be constraining if political will is not strong.
• Not designed for monitoring or tracking change.
• Follow-up and accountability mechanisms for action planning are not in place.
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