A Self-Guided Handbook on the Use of the GenderUp Method for Responsible Scaling of Innovation
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International Water Management Institute
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This technical guide presents the GenderUp methodology, a self-guided, participatory approach designed to support responsible and inclusive scaling of agricultural innovations within the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program. Recognizing that conventional scaling approaches are often gender-blind and risk reinforcing inequalities, GenderUp integrates gender equality, social inclusion, and intersectionality into innovation design and scaling strategies to ensure equitable outcomes across diverse user groups.
The handbook provides a structured, six-stage process that guides innovation teams through reflection, analysis, and action. It begins with strengthening foundational understanding of gender dynamics and inclusive innovation design, followed by defining scaling ambitions and assessing existing strategies. Subsequent stages support teams in identifying relevant social dimensions—such as gender, age, wealth, and education—and analyzing how these intersect to shape access to, and benefits from, innovation. Through tools such as participatory surveys, persona mapping, and reflective exercises, GenderUp enables teams to identify vulnerable intersectional groups and anticipate potential unintended consequences of scaling.
A key contribution of the methodology is its emphasis on mitigating negative impacts through adaptive scaling strategies and “innovation packages,” which combine core innovations with complementary interventions (e.g., policy support, financing mechanisms, or inclusive training approaches). This shift scaling from a linear, technical process to a socially embedded and adaptive one, aligned with Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles, including inclusivity, anticipation, responsiveness, and transparency.
Evidence from applications across CGIAR and partner organizations demonstrates that GenderUp strengthens teams’ capacity to identify overlooked user groups, design inclusive solutions, and foster institutional learning. By embedding equity considerations throughout the innovation lifecycle, the GenderUp approach contributes to more sustainable, inclusive, and transformative agrifood systems, ensuring that scaling efforts not only reach more people but do so in ways that empower marginalized populations and address systemic inequalities.
Palabras clave
gender equality, innovation scaling, agricultural innovation, participatory approaches, social inclusion, handbooks