Illuminating inequalities and transforming policy through gender impact assessment

Hannah Johnson

Chapter Spotlight 7 in Research Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming, 2026, pp 193-198 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Gender impact assessments (GIAs) evaluate the potential gendered effects of policies or laws before implementation. They compare current gender dynamics with projected impacts across gender and other characteristics. Effective GIAs require robust data, gender expertise, and political will to act on findings. When done well, GIAs reveal the invisible, often unintentional effects of decisions (positive, negative or neutral) before they are implemented. At their worst, they are a tick-box exercise in bureaucracy, which only serves to legitimise decisions that have already been made. This spotlight outlines: key actors involved (governments, parliaments, civil society, academics); how GIAs are conducted, and by whom; the data used; their capacity to assess intersectional impacts; their relevance in traditionally gender-neutral areas; and how gender is balanced with other impact assessments (e.g. financial, environmental, health). It also presents international examples of GIAs and how they have influenced policy change.

Keywords: Gender Impact Assessment; Gender Mainstreaming; Public Policy; Equality Analysis; Inclusive Governance; Policy Design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035353415
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