"Question to Morgan Merce" Director of Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion

[Hassan Madar]

Hi

I would like to  thank you as Experts who gave  us their time , knowledge and experiences

therefore,  I want to ask these questions:

1. what are the major Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion specific Guidelines  in terms of Global, Regional and National level for Advancing Women's Empowerment that need to be taken into condition?

[Morgan Mercer]

Great question. I've found the Gender Minimum Standards developed by the Gender Practitioners Collaborative to be really helpful. They are clear enough to set a minimum level of quality, but also broad enough to allow each agency to define what is appropriate for their organizational and/or programmatic context. 

I also find the recommendations and guidance outlined in ACDI/VOCA's GSI and COVID-19 guidance report helpful especially around being responsive to GYSI specific risks, and making adaptations in light of new/evolving contexts. The Transforming Agency, Access and Power Toolkit and Guide for Inclusive Development is also a great guide for thinking about broader social inclusion and working together with marginalized groups toward social transformation. 

For agricultural and MSD programming specifically, I've also used the following:

• The Feed the Future Project Design Guide for Youth-Inclusive Agriculture and Food Systems
• The Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) Intervention Guide:

Anyone else have any other resources to add?

[Eunice Khaguli]

Thank you Morgan Mercer for these resources. I echo your proposals on the FtF project design guide and WEAI, I have found them to be pragmatic in their approach and  adaptable to the operating context. 

Kindly, my question is with regards to Defining “youth inclusive” businesses : Whereas initiatives such as the 2X Challenge( https://www.2xchallenge.org/)have led the way in defining shared and transparent criteria for investing in gender inclusive businesses, I haven't come across a parallel standard for youth.   Q. Are you aware of any youth inclusive criteria or standard that can serve as an industry benchmark? 

[Morgan Mercer]

Good question Eunice. While some of the ILO Decent Work resources come to mind (see here), I think the 2X challenge criteria could be adapted to fit youth inclusive businesses as well. I think what is especially important to think about is the intersections between age and gender and other social categories when looking at how we are defining criteria for inclusive businesses, so I wouldn't necessarily see the 2X criteria as separate, but a starting point for layering on other considerations. Another thing missing for me in the 2X criteria is that while there are considerations for women's participation (in the workforce and as business leaders), it doesn't tell me a whole lot about the quality of their participation and other relevant organizational policies/culture around inclusion. As an example, does the business have organizational practices/policies around inclusion (equal pay, DEIA work, PSEA policies, etc.) and do these extend into distribution networks, supply chains, etc.? Are there opportunities for professional development/upgrading of roles (e.g., on the job training, internship or mentoring programs, leadership training, etc.)?  Another resource I've found helpful in adapting for use with the private sector is the Youth Programming Assessment Tool (YPAT) as a youth-specific resource. While it's not as expansive as other tools and was originally developed for use with CSOs, I like that all of the evaluation criteria are linked to Positive Youth Development domains/features. 

Curious if others have recommendations on youth-inclusive business criteria they've used or if they've grappled with similar issues. Thanks!