Evaluation of the integration of gender equality in the Pan American Health Organization’s technical cooperation in health in the Americas 2005–2023. Volume I: Final report

Abstract

In 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) completed a comprehensive evaluation of the integration of gender equality into its technical cooperation. This evaluation, conducted by an independent external team from February to November 2024, employed face-to-face and remote data collection methods and geographically covered the entire Region of the Americas. The primary objective was to evaluate the extent to which gender equality has been incorporated into PAHO’s technical cooperation and to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of these efforts in promoting gender equality across the Americas. The evaluation had both a summative (accountability) and formative (learning) purpose. It sought to provide insights, findings, and recommendations to enhance PAHO’s ongoing efforts in integrating gender equality into health initiatives and to inform the development of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031. Covering a broad geographical scope across the Americas, the evaluation included in-depth studies in Colombia, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as less detailed analyses in Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Uruguay. This approach allowed for a nuanced understanding of the diverse regional, subregional, and national contexts in which PAHO has been operating. The evaluation focused on actions taken from 2005 to 2023, reflecting PAHO's long-term commitment to gender equality, as outlined in the PAHO Gender Equality Policy of 2005 and subsequent strategic plans from 2008 to 2023. The methodology combined contribution analysis, theory of change, interviews, and personnel online surveys, ensuring a comprehensive assessment and understanding of PAHO’s efforts on the theme.