Highlights from IW:LEARN’s 1st Consultation on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion work

27 Jun 2025 | by francesca@iwlearn.org
On 26 June 2025, IW:LEARN hosted its first portfolio-wide online consultation to inform the development of the upcoming Guidance on Integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in GEF International Waters Projects.

The session brought together project representatives, gender specialists, and implementing agency staff from across the globe to reflect on experiences, challenges, and practical solutions for embedding GESI in water-related projects. 

Why GESI Matters 

Opening remarks from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNESCO underscored the increasing importance of gender equality and social inclusion across the GEF portfolio. As one participant noted, "gender is not just about numbers, it’s about ensuring meaningful participation and decision-making power." 

Key takeaways from the discussion 

Participants highlighted critical enablers of effective GESI integration: 

  • Having a dedicated gender expert from the early stages of project design. 
  • Allocating a dedicated budget for GESI-related activities. 
  • Ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement and leveraging local knowledge. 

Challenges: several barriers were identified, including: 

  • Lack of gender-disaggregated data. 
  • Cultural norms and misconceptions about gender. 
  • Limited GESI training and capacity within technical teams. 
  • Insufficient political will or prioritization of gender-related outcomes. 

Opportunities for improvement: 

  • Early inclusion of GESI considerations during the Project Preparation Grant phase. 
  • Capacity building for entire project teams, not just gender focal points. 
  • Greater alignment between gender action plans and available budgets. 

What's next:

The feedback from this consultation will directly inform the structure and content of the new IW:LEARN GESI Guidance. A second consultation is planned for September 2025, where draft findings and recommendations will be shared with the community for further input. 

If you or your project would like to join this ongoing conversation and contribute examples or experiences, please contact sofia@iwlearn.org.