Introducing the Gender Marker Tool
The Gender Marker Tool (GMT) was created by STITCH – initially as a web-based interactive tool for internal use – to assess STITCH interventions for gender. Now, it has been repurposed as a resource for broader use, applicable across different sectors and project types.
What is the GMT for?
The GMT is designed to help organisations to integrate a gender lens in project design and evaluate the potential for transformative gender equality. As a simple self‑assessment tool, available as an easy-to-use downloadable PDF, it is intended to support reflection, learning, and improvement.
How does it work?
There are two parts to the Gender Marker Tool. The first is a simple survey, that consists of Yes/No questions across four topic areas:
Gender Analysis: understanding context, power, roles, norms
Objectives: setting SMART, gender‑focused targets
Activity Plan: designing inclusive actions and reducing barriers
M&E: monitoring and evaluating gender impacts
The answers to these questions produce a score aligned with gender maturity levels: Gender unconscious, Gender aware, Gender specific, Gender sensitive, Gender transformative.
The second part of the tool is guidance, that provides users with advice and suggestions on how they can improve their project in each area. It includes guidance, for example, on how to conduct a gender analysis, how to develop objectives that drive gender equality, and how to develop indicators that evaluate gender impacts.
The tool can be used to assess a variety of projects, across different organisations and sectors – CSOs, LROs, unions, NGOs. Whether as part of annual planning or to assess specific projects through a gender lens, the tool can be used at any stage – the earlier the better, ideally at the project design phase.