Article type
Abstract
Background
The use of evidence and data has the potential to support the reduction of poverty and inequality in Africa. Evidence-informed policymaking can support the identification of the most effective social policies and programs, ensure the policy decision-making process is more transparent, and allow different stakeholders an option to contribute to policy decision-making. As in other fields, the production, generation, and use of evidence hold great potential for the integration of digital technologies. However, so far, most investments and developments have focused on the application of digital tools to enhance evidence generation. In contrast, we believe that the use case for new technologies is the largest when it comes to supporting policymakers and evidence brokers. This situation is particularly acute in the gender sector in Africa, in which new tools are required for policy and practice to finally turn a tide in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
Objectives
This presentation will provide insights on developing digital gender-inclusive tools for evidence use in Uganda and South Africa as well as sharing prototypes of these tools.
Methods
These insights are based on monitoring, evaluation, and learning results as well as user feedback from year 1 of the digital gender-inclusive tools for evidence use project that is implemented in Uganda and South Africa.
Results
Two evidence broker teams in Uganda and South Africa with strong links to policymakers in the gender space will each present a digital tool and its development and learning process.
Relevance to policymakers, practitioners, and brokers
New digital tools are being developed to support evidence production, eg, in an effort to create more living evidence. Fewer tools focus on supporting policymakers and practitioners in their use of evidence, with a similar gap in tools for evidence brokers. This presentation will be of particular relevance to evidence users and brokers, indicating how digital tools can support these groups and providing practical examples from digital tools developed in the two countries. The audience will be exposed to prototypes of two such tools, and we will share more general learning and reflections on the joint development process of these tools.
The use of evidence and data has the potential to support the reduction of poverty and inequality in Africa. Evidence-informed policymaking can support the identification of the most effective social policies and programs, ensure the policy decision-making process is more transparent, and allow different stakeholders an option to contribute to policy decision-making. As in other fields, the production, generation, and use of evidence hold great potential for the integration of digital technologies. However, so far, most investments and developments have focused on the application of digital tools to enhance evidence generation. In contrast, we believe that the use case for new technologies is the largest when it comes to supporting policymakers and evidence brokers. This situation is particularly acute in the gender sector in Africa, in which new tools are required for policy and practice to finally turn a tide in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
Objectives
This presentation will provide insights on developing digital gender-inclusive tools for evidence use in Uganda and South Africa as well as sharing prototypes of these tools.
Methods
These insights are based on monitoring, evaluation, and learning results as well as user feedback from year 1 of the digital gender-inclusive tools for evidence use project that is implemented in Uganda and South Africa.
Results
Two evidence broker teams in Uganda and South Africa with strong links to policymakers in the gender space will each present a digital tool and its development and learning process.
Relevance to policymakers, practitioners, and brokers
New digital tools are being developed to support evidence production, eg, in an effort to create more living evidence. Fewer tools focus on supporting policymakers and practitioners in their use of evidence, with a similar gap in tools for evidence brokers. This presentation will be of particular relevance to evidence users and brokers, indicating how digital tools can support these groups and providing practical examples from digital tools developed in the two countries. The audience will be exposed to prototypes of two such tools, and we will share more general learning and reflections on the joint development process of these tools.