This resource offers practical, experience-based guidance on GEDSI mainstreaming in practice showing how to move from strong analysis to lasting change in policies, systems and programmes. It is designed to support organisations to embed GEDSI in ways that strengthen safety, integrity and social justice, and deliver better value for money in Official Development Assistance.
It highlights key insights including: why mainstreaming is essential (not optional); how intersecting inequalities shape power, risk and access; and what effective mainstreaming looks like day to day - integrating GEDSI into political economy and needs analysis, targeting systems (not just individuals), working politically with champions and blockers, adapting to context, and keeping GEDSI “alive” throughout the programme cycle through robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Research (MERL).
The resource’s potential impact is to help organisations reduce harm and exclusion, improve credibility and accountability, and achieve more sustainable, equitable outcomes - with clear lessons and signposting to case studies that demonstrate GEDSI mainstreaming across sectors including GBV, safeguarding, women’s economic empowerment, governance and MERL.