Government of Victoria, Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector

Gender impact assessments are a way of measuring how policies, programs and services are, and will, meet the different needs of women, men and gender diverse people. This toolkit has been developed based on current research and evidence, with a previous iteration developed by EQI and PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting ) and piloted in seven areas across the Victorian Public Service, seven public entities, ten local councils, and a university.

This toolkit has been developed with the aim to help organisations, both in the private and public sector, assess the gendered impact of their policies, programs and services. It sets out a best-practice gender impact assessment process and includes templates for recording information, analysis and outcomes. The toolkit will support the implementation of the Gender Equality Act 2020 in Victoria.

A gender impact assessment must assess the effects that the policy, program or service may have on people of different genders. It must explain how the policy, program or service will be changed to better support Victorians of all genders and promote gender equality, and, where practical, apply an intersectional approach to consider how gender inequality can be compounded by disadvantage or discrimination that a person may experience on the basis of other factors such as age, disability, or ethnicity.

The GIA toolkit provides a step by step guide to conducting a best-practice gender impact assessment. It is flexible so that you can choose the information that best meets your needs, contains tailored guidance for different types of organisations, and includes useful resources, practical tips and templates.

Our gender impacts the way we experience the world, including in workplaces, learning institutions and elsewhere. This means that our policies, programs and services will affect people of different genders in different ways. In many circumstances, women and gender diverse individuals may not have the same access to decision-making processes, resources, economic or social opportunities. This means that policies, programs and services are likely to be experienced differently, and have different outcomes for people of different genders.

The aim of the GIA is to create better and fairer outcomes and ensure all people have equal access to opportunities and resources. In this way, it helps to prevent the unintentional reinforcing of inequalities.