Gender capacity development in agriculture: insights from the GREAT monitoring, learning, and evaluation system

Capacity development interventions are considered critical entry points for advancing gender equality in agricultural research systems. However, the impacts of capacity development programs are often difficult to track. Academic reviews highlight that insufficient attention is paid to the suitability of gender training programs to increase capacity and limited evidence is available on their longer-term impacts. This article proposes a systematic approach to monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MLE) of gender training programs, which was developed over a five-year period to assess the Gender-Responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT) training program. Findings reveal the importance of not only tracking how trainings build technical knowledge but also capturing how trainees are empowered or limited in their efforts to apply gender-responsive practices in diverse environments. The article demonstrates the value of capturing data at multiple time points and building a learning culture that enables both trainers and participants to shape the program’s design and trajectory.