Gender-Responsive Program Assessment

This instrument is intended to be used by program administrators, program evaluators, agency monitors and staff to evaluate the gender responsiveness of programs for women and girls and obtain feedback that can be used to improve the quality of a program’s services. It was designed for programs in typically non-gender responsive settings (substance abuse treatment programs, women’s programs in prisons and jails). However, it offers an integrated gender-responsive, trauma-informed assessment approach. It is based on fundamental elements of quality programming and the following definition: Being gender-responsive means creating an environment through site selection, staff selection, program development, content, and material that reflects an understanding of the lives of women and girls and responds to their strengths and challenges. These are also key aspects of trauma-informed services.