Demons of an Evaluator: Confronting Bias in Gender-Based Evaluations

Evaluating gender-based violence (GBV) programs requires more than technical expertise—it demands confronting the biases and power dynamics that shape how data is collected, interpreted, and reported. This presentation explores the “demons” evaluators face when assessing GBV interventions, including neutrality bias, survivor bias, and quantification bias. Through a mix of personal reflection and academic insights, this session will highlight how donor-driven narratives and rigid evaluation frameworks can obscure survivor experiences and reinforce systemic inequalities. The presentation will offer some practical strategies to help mitigate some of these biases to ensure ethical and survivor-centered evaluations.