Integrating Gender in Scientific Research to Enhance Adoption of Technologies

INTRODUCTION

Scientific research may not be completely objective if it is not gender sensitive. This is because gender norms affect who does the research, how research is prioritized, how the research is designed and conducted, and how data is interpreted and shared as well as the impact of the research at the community level and globally. Also, many countries have adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that besides having a gender equality goal every other goal has a gender dimension in it. To establish the implementation of these goals, development research is led by science. Therefore, if science is gender biased then the research will not produce the right results. For research to ensure equal benefits between men and women, it is imperative to integrate gender dimensions into your research right from the proposal planning stage and throughout the entire cycle of research.

This means being gender sensitive beginning from proposal development, implementation all the way to realizing the impact of research. Similarly, gender norms and gender inequality within the cultural context where scaling is taking place influence uptake of technologies. Therefore, failing to take into account gender differences in needs, preferences, roles and responsibilities, decision-making, access to and control of resources that includes (land, labor, inputs, credits and revenue), and power imbalances can limit the adoption of technologies and also lead to research providing recommendations that are not gender inclusive. Consequently, the research can result in the development of policies, legal frameworks and laws that are gender biased thereby perpetuate gender inequality. Integrating gender into scientific research will improve the quality and relevance of research, and lead to new ideas and ways of thinking about issues, and new interpretations of data. This will contribute to innovation, and will improve the outcomes of the research for both women and men, and for entire society at large.

DURATION

5 Days

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The course target researchers, students and statistics producers and users who aim to influence the process of gender statistics collection, analysis and use. This includes policymakers and staff from government agencies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, learners will learn:

• What integrating gender into research means
• Importance of integrating gender into scientific research
• Learn how to integrate gender dimensions into the different stages of scientific research
• How to integrate gender for better research quality, output and impact
• How to ensure your research informs wider global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• How to ensure your research contributes to change in the community life

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

Module 1: Relationship between gender and scientific research

• Definition of gender and how it relates to scientific research
• Definitions of key terms related to gender
• Importance of integrating Gender into the scientific research
• Importance of integrating gender dimensions to the scientific research
• Different needs, priorities and roles between men and women
• How to ensure production of innovative research and better results

Module 2: Integrating gender dimensions in scientific research

• Integrating gender dimensions into the different stages of scientific research
• Difference between gender mainstreaming and gender-focused approach
• Setting research goals - From gender aware to gender transformative research
• Choosing methodologies and undertaking research

Module 3: Setting your research agenda

• Importance of aligning your research with global frameworks
• Definition of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Gender and the SDGs: Links, gaps and opportunities for scientific research

Module 5: Effective research communication for influencing change

• Definition of advocacy and its relevance for your research
• Identifying the audience you want to influence and what do you want them to do
• Ensuring effective advocacy by choosing the right communication channel and right recipient