Research

In this project, the International IDEA tasked Gender Links with several key responsibilities aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women. The tasks included conducting research, providing gender training, building staff capacity, advocating for policy changes, and supporting women in media research. Additionally, Gender Links was involved in monitoring and evaluating the impact of these programmes to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. Read more.

Gender Links collaborated with UN Women on various impactful projects aimed at promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in politics. Among these initiatives were comprehensive media training programs specifically designed to empower women leaders and activists to communicate their messages effectively and advocate for their rights. Additionally, the organisations conducted thorough gender audits of electoral laws across various African countries, identifying gaps and recommending reforms to ensure that women’s representation in politics is not only encouraged but actively facilitated. Read more.

Gender Links conducted extensive research and developed a comprehensive handbook titled “Gender, Media, Peace and Security” for UN Women. This handbook aims to explore the intricate relationships between gender dynamics, media representation, and issues of peace and security. It provides valuable insights and practical guidelines for integrating gender perspectives into media practices, promoting women’s voices, and addressing gender-based violence in conflict situations. The publication serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, media professionals, and activists dedicated to promoting a more equitable and peaceful society.

GL partnered with FEMNET to develop a groundbreaking SRHR Barometer, providing a feminist analysis of women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health services across six African countries. This initiative aimed to strengthen advocacy, accountability, and policy implementation through evidence-based research and strategic recommendations. The SRHR Barometer serves as a critical tool for FEMNET’s advocacy, empowering grassroots movements and policymakers to advance gender-responsive health systems in Africa. By combining rigorous research with feminist principles, GL helped amplify marginalised voices and drive tangible progress in sexual and reproductive rights. 

GL conducted the Botswana relationship study as a comprehensive follow-up to the groundbreaking GBV Indicators Study, which was conducted in 2012. This new study significantly expanded in scope, covering all sixteen districts of Botswana and involving interviews with nearly 10000 women and men to explore various aspects of their relationships. Unlike the first study, which primarily focused on women’s experiences of violence and the perpetration of such violence by men, the follow-up aimed to delve deeper into the complexities of gender dynamics, relationship satisfaction, and patterns of violence, including analysis of men’s experiences of violence. Read the executive summary.

GL conducted this case study to document the comprehensive review and reform of the Mozambique Penal Code in 2014, including reform of sexual offences (including decriminalisation of consensual same sex sexual conduct), domestic violence offences, abortion laws (specifically exceptions to the criminalisation of abortion) and trafficking laws, as a study of successful legislative reform. Read more.

GL successfully implemented comprehensive gender training programmes for GIZ staff in Lesotho, Namibia, and Zambia, focusing on enhancing awareness and understanding of gender issues in various professional contexts. Additionally, GL provided insightful recommendations on the gender monitoring of South African entertainment media, aiming to combat harmful stereotypes and promote more equitable representation of gender in the industry. This initiative not only seeks to challenge prevailing norms but also to empower audiences with diverse and inclusive narratives. Read executive summary.

GL conducted an in-depth study on gender inclusivity in electoral processes across African nations, focusing on identifying barriers that hinder women’s active participation and representation in politics. The research provided comprehensive recommendations aimed at strengthening women’s roles in elections, emphasising the need for targeted policies, educational programmes, and grassroots initiatives. These strategies were specifically designed for Commonwealth Africa, with the goal of ensuring that women’s voices are not only heard but also influential in shaping the political landscape.

GL developed robust and comprehensive gender strategies to advance gender equality within political spheres across Africa. This involved conducting in-depth case studies, with a particular focus on women’s political participation in South Africa. The analysis not only highlighted the significant barriers women face, such as socio-cultural norms, inadequate access to resources, and systemic discrimination, but also showcased notable successes, including increased representation in local government and the impact of impactful advocacy campaigns. Furthermore, GL has crafted detailed election inclusivity guidelines specifically tailored for Commonwealth African nations. These guidelines are designed to promote equitable representation and active participation of all genders in the electoral process.

GL developed an innovative media monitoring tool specifically designed to analyse and track gender representation in news coverage across various platforms. This tool evaluates the visibility and representation of different genders in articles, broadcasts, and online content. By compiling comprehensive data and insights, it aims to promote equitable and inclusive reporting practices, encouraging media outlets to be more mindful of their representation of gender diversity and to strive for balanced narratives in their reporting.

GL produced a comprehensive key issues paper on gender for the African Union, meticulously analysing the widespread challenges and emerging opportunities to advance gender equality across the continent. This paper examines critical areas, including socio-economic disparities, legislative frameworks, and cultural norms that hinder gender equity. Additionally, it highlights successful initiatives and best practices adopted by various member states, aiming to provide actionable recommendations for policy improvements and collaborative efforts among African nations to foster an inclusive environment for all genders.

GL authored a comprehensive country gender profile of Mauritius, which includes an in-depth analysis of the gender dynamics, social norms, and cultural practices affecting both men and women in the region. The profile examines key issues, including gender equality in education and employment, access to healthcare, and political representation. It also highlights the challenges faced by marginalised groups and provides recommendations for policy improvements to foster gender equity and empowerment in Mauritius.

In 2016, the Seychelles Ministry of Community Development, Social Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics and Gender Links, conducted a study to measure gender-based violence (GBV). This cross-sectional survey focused on attitudes and prevalence among both women and men, recognising them as both perpetrators and victims. The study targeted 1,500 individuals aged 18 and older. Ultimately, the analysis included a total sample of 1,109 participants, comprising 578 women and 531 men. The findings revealed that more than half of the women (58%) and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of GBV at least once in their lifetime. Read more.

Inspired by the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Barometer, which GL produces annually to monitor progress in gender equality, the Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) took a significant step by commissioning GL to produce the inaugural East Africa Gender Barometer. This barometer is designed to track an extensive set of 100 indicators that hold governments accountable across critical areas affecting women’s health and rights. Key focus areas include Menstrual Health, Family Planning and Maternal Health, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), Safe Abortion, HIV and AIDS, Gender-Based Violence, Harmful Practices, and Sexual Diversity. Read more.

GL developed this paper as one of five studies commissioned by the Southern Africa Trust (the Trust) to inform its next strategy, which commenced in March 2016. This paper aims to explore the political economy of gender dimensions in regional integration within Southern Africa at the international, regional, and national levels. Additionally, it examines how the Trust’s programming can address these challenges within the framework of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Read more.

GL conducted comprehensive research for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), emphasising gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives throughout the African continent. This research encompassed an analysis of various programs designed to increase women’s access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. It also evaluated the effectiveness of policies and practices designed to combat gender-based violence and discrimination, highlighting successful case studies from different countries.

Gender Links collaborated with the International Women’s Media Foundation to enhance the representation and participation of women in the media industry. Through comprehensive research and advocacy efforts, the project aimed to identify the barriers faced by women in media roles and promote gender equality within the sector. Their work contributed to raising awareness about the importance of gender equity in media, ultimately aiming to transform media narratives and practices to better reflect the diversity of society.

With support from the World Association of Christian Communicators (WACC), GL developed the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) survey and guided the tool. The GMMP is the largest international study focusing on gender representation in the news media, initiated by the World Association for Christian Communication. Its goal is to research and advocate for improved representation of women in the media, making it a significant initiative for promoting gender equality in media coverage. The GMMP has been conducted periodically since its inception in 1995, making it the longest-running research project on this important topic.

This training aimed to deepen the understanding and application of gender sensitivity among the dedicated personnel at the Electoral Institute for Southern Africa. By providing comprehensive training that addresses the nuances of gender dynamics within electoral processes, GL sought to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable environment. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, staff not only enhanced their knowledge but also developed the skills necessary to promote gender equality in all facets of their work.

In this project, GL conducted comprehensive research on women’s political participation in Southern Africa, focusing on the barriers and challenges that limit their involvement in governance and decision-making processes. The study encompassed various countries within the region, analysing factors such as cultural norms, socioeconomic status, and legislative frameworks that influence women’s political engagement. Additionally, Gl examined the role of grassroots organisations and advocacy groups in empowering women and promoting gender equality within political systems. Through interviews, surveys, and case studies, the research aimed to highlight successful strategies and best practices that could enhance women’s representation and participation in politics across Southern Africa.

GL partnered with UNICEF to develop a comprehensive framework aimed at preventing violence against women (VAW) in South Africa. This initiative focuses on addressing the root causes of violence, promoting gender equality, and implementing effective intervention strategies across communities. The framework incorporates input from various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organisations, and grassroots activists, to ensure a holistic approach to combating VAW and fostering a safer environment for women and girls throughout the country.

GL collaborated with UNESCO to implement a comprehensive Gender in Media Education project across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This partnership aimed to enhance gender sensitivity in media training programmes, promote equitable representation of genders in media content, and empower individuals with the skills necessary to challenge and transform gender stereotypes in media practices.

With support from the UNDP, GL authored a comprehensive country gender profile of Eswatini. The profile examines key issues, including gender equality in education and employment, access to healthcare, and political representation. It provides recommendations for policy improvements to foster gender equity and empowerment in Eswatini.

Gender Links provided expert consultation to the World Bank on its Gender and Governance Action Plan, playing a crucial role in developing targeted strategies that integrate governance reforms with gender equality objectives across Southern Africa. This collaboration emphasised the importance of addressing systemic barriers to women’s participation in governance, promoting policies that foster inclusive decision-making, and ensuring that gender considerations are embedded in all levels of governance reform initiatives within the region.