genderinformed

Genderinformed is an approach in policy, education, healthcare, and research that centers how gender shapes experiences, needs, and outcomes. It seeks to integrate knowledge about gender identities, roles, and power relations into the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions to promote equity and reduce harm.

The term builds on ideas from gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive budgeting, but emphasizes practically applying gender analysis at the project level rather than only at the policy level. It covers cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, and other gender identities, and highlights intersectionality with race, class, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.

Applications include education, where curricula and assessment avoid stereotypes and address diverse needs; health care, with training for gender-affirming care and appropriate screening; urban planning, which considers safety and access for all genders; and workplaces, with policies on parental leave, harassment prevention, and equitable recruitment.

Benefits include better resource use, improved health and safety outcomes, and greater trust in institutions. Challenges include avoiding essentialist assumptions, preventing tokenism, ensuring robust data, and securing resources for ongoing evaluation.

See also: gender mainstreaming; inclusive design; gender-responsive budgeting.