"Adaptation of Gender Evaluation Methodology for Localization Projects"

Localization projects are often deemed as gender neutral,  having a prime focus of developing localized technology  only. However, in practice a number of different  aspects/kinds of localization projects could make it  extremely gendered. For example, in terms of technology  development, the type of job roles that are offered to  men as compared to women could distinctly vary. Also the  choice  of localized technology to be developed may widen  or diminish the digital divide among genders. Similarly in  training end-users on the localized tools the training material used especially its content in terms of the language, terminology and examples may be have different implication among both gender.

Thus from a research perspective it is interesting to observe how localization efforts impact women’s and men’s use of ICTs and more specifically women’s and men’s lives. What are the gender issues in each context and how could gender lens be effectively used for evaluation of localization efforts?

To address these concerns, PAN Localization project in collaboration with GEM II project has organized a three day workshop to help address these concerns in context of localization projects, in an effort to adapt GEM II for localization.

Specifically the three day workshop aimed:

• To help PAN Localization project partners identify gender and ICT issues in the respective projects and integrate these considerations into their project evaluation plans

• To help finalize country project evaluation plans based on the identified gender and ICT issues following the Gendered Outcome Mapping Framework (OMg)

• To develop GEM adaptation plan in collaboration with the PAN Localization project team, its partner countries and the GEM II project

The fundamental challenge in adapting of GEM II for localization is that it is the first time localization initiatives are being viewed with gender lenses which would require deeper gender analysis and interrogation due to the inherent complex nature of such initiatives. Results acquired from this adaptation would benefit both localization projects and gender and ICT advocates. Through these evaluations, localization projects would gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their work upon women and men while the gender advocates would gain a deeper appreciation of the interconnections of technology and gender, which would enhance their advocacy in the ICT arena.