Measuring transformative changes in gender equality, including changes in social norms, structures and agency is a complex area, and yet is critical to understanding both intended and unintended changes with respect to how women, girls and other vulnerable groups are affected by programs. The qualKit is a web-based resource that has curated and adapted a range of qualitative MEL methods and includes a section on a range of the latest digital tools which can be used for qualitative data collection and analysis.
To develop the qualKit, Water for Women partner Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney (ISF-UTS) surveyed and interviewed Water for Women partner CSO and research organisations to identify how they were collecting and engaging with qualitative data, their interests and needs. A series of workshops were delivered to build the capacity of partners in the theory and practice of qualitative data collection and analysis. ISF-UTS then curated eight qualitative MEL approaches and associated tools and resources and worked with three partner CSOs to test the resources and some of the approaches based on their needs.