Improving monitoring and evaluation to support safe and responsive humanitarian programming

UNICEF and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) are working together to improve the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of GBV risk mitigation in humanitarian action.
Learn more about the project from this video and download our project introduction.
The Project
We've developed a number of resources and tools through a consultative process to support humanitarian practitioners to strengthen GBV risk mitigation. Good practices, existing knowledge and guidance are provided in the materials below, aimed at helping to make humanitarian programming safer and more responsive to the needs of women and girls.
Systematic desk review
In this report, we outline the current state of knowledge on the monitoring and evaluation of GBV risk mitigation, as well as exploring evidence gaps and promising future directions for research.
Compendium of Good Practices
This document outlines a collection of good practices for the monitoring and evaluation of GBV risk mitigation interventions. It includes a series of case examples to illustrate practical application of good practices.
Guidance Note
This document provides background information and framing guidance to support colleagues working in non-GBV sectors to integrate measurement of GBV risk mitigation into their monitoring and evaluation processes, it is intended to be used in conjunction with the Menu of Measures.
Menu of Measures
Here, we outline a collection of measurement approaches and indicators to support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation of GBV risk mitigation interventions. It is intended to complement the Guidance Note.
Lessons learned from around the globe
We reached out to humanitarian practitioners across the globe to understand lessons learned and good practices for GBV risk mitigation M&E. Click on the case studies below to listen to our mini podcast series:
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Participatory Approaches to Identifying Risks and Unintended Consequences
Countries: Bangladesh, South Sudan
Sector: WASH
This case study highlights the importance of incorporating consultations with women and girls into programmatic M&E as one way to identify GBV risks and unintended outcomes and ensure safe and effective programming.
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The Importance of Accurate Translation
Countries: Bangladesh, Myanmar, DRC
Sector: All
This case example illustrates challenges in translating tools for M&E and describes some good practices for ensuring accuracy in translations.
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Measuring Change in GBV-related Outcomes
Countries: Global, Kenya, Sudan, DRC
Sector: Food security, Livelihoods
The focus of this case study is on good practices for measuring changes in GBV-related outcomes though the use of proxy indicators. The case study explores why proxy measures should be assessed by non-protection specialists instead of incidence and the key ingredients that must be in place in order to measure these indicators.
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Leveraging Existing or Routinely Collected Quantitative Data to Identify Trends and Potential Risks
Country: Myanmar
Sector: Health
M&E of GBV risk mitigation interventions can and should leverage existing data sources. This case study illustrates how such data can be used to identify potential GBV risks.
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Developing and Testing Proxy Indicators for GBV Risk Exposure Using Participatory Approaches
Country: Kenya
Sector: Food security, Livelihoods
Which proxy indicators can help us better understand GBV risks? This case study delves into a participatory process used to develop and test proxy indicators for GBV risks related to firewood collection in Kenya.
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Triangulating Data to Ensure Validity of Safety Measurements
Countries: South Sudan and Ecuador
Sector: Nutrition, Food Security and CCCM
Changes in reported risk do not always mean what they appear to! This case example explores the biases that influence data on safety perceptions, and how triangulation of data from different sources can help to improve the accuracy and validity of findings.
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Supportive Supervision to Strengthen Staff Capacity on M&E
Country: Nigeria
Sector: CCCM
What are some ways to strengthen capacity of non-protection specialists on carrying out M&E of GBV risk mitigation interventions? This case example focuses on the use of supportive supervision to strengthen M&E capacity.
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Looking Forward
This project will continue to field-test and refine the guidance note and menu of measures — resources for field practitioners seeking to incorporate GBV risk mitigation measurement into their activities. This work will also build towards an evaluation assessing how GBV risk mitigation can improve both sector-specific and safety outcomes.