Gender Action Learning System Assessment: Insights on How Inclusive Innovations Shape Gender Transformative Outcomes

Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Chinyophiro, Amon; Nortje, Karen

Gender Action Learning System Assessment: Insights on How Inclusive Innovations Shape Gender Transformative Outcomes

Autores

Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah

Chinyophiro, Amon

Nortje, Karen

Descripción

The Gender Action Learning System (GALS) is a household and community-led transformative tool that offers researchers and practitioners a guide to drive inclusive transformation across food systems. The GALS assessment conducted under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program in Malawi evaluates how inclusive innovations drive gender-transformative outcomes in scaling climate-smart agriculture. This study engaged 1,417 participants—78% women—representing 4,095 households trained under the CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa (Ukama Ustawi). Using mixed methods (household surveys and Most Significant Change stories), the assessment found that GALS fosters equitable decision-making, agency, and climate resilience. Results show 87% of participants improved visioning and goal setting, 64% strengthened gender equality awareness, and 62% enhanced financial management. Joint household decision-making rose from 74–82% across domains such as farming, finance, and education, while women’s leadership and participation increased markedly. Adoption of climate-smart practices was high—96% for manure use and tree planting, 95% for crop rotation, and 93% for irrigation—demonstrating GALS’ effectiveness in promoting sustainable agriculture. Despite strong household and community uptake, institutional adoption remains limited (24%), signaling the need for integration into governance and partner systems. The report recommends strengthening facilitation capacity, linking GALS to economic empowerment initiatives, and embedding it in local institutions. Overall, GALS provides a scalable, self-sustaining methodology for gender-equitable innovation and climate-smart transformation.