Enhancing the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse populations in evaluation: Reflections grounded in practice

Abstract

Evaluators are committed to practice that is high quality and conducted ethically. Despite this, gender and sexually diverse populations are not always adequately considered in evaluation practice. Ensuring fuller inclusion of gender and sexually diverse people is required to give effect to human rights obligations and to enable comparatively poorer wellbeing outcomes for these groups to be addressed. Based on our experience conducting evaluation (and research) with both general populations and gender and sexually diverse populations, we suggest a need to build inclusive practice among evaluators. To guide inclusive evaluation practice, we outline three domains for consideration – terminology and language, processes of research inclusion and implications of inclusion. These are not offered as a checklist but as a way to encourage reflexive practice among evaluators. Given evaluators are often concerned with promoting equity and social justice, we are hopeful that actions taken by evaluators can enhance the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse people in evaluation activities and contribute to better wellbeing outcomes for them.