MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CONGOLESE FUNDED PROJECTS FOR WOMEN. A CASE STUDY OF THE FUND FOR CONGOLESE WOMEN

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system utilized by the Fund for the Congolese Women (FFC) and its contribution to successful implementation of the projects sponsored to the Congolese women were discussed in this paper Four specific goals guided the study: to determine the extent of effectiveness of the M&E system adopted by FFC to monitor the progress in its sponsored projects; to identify key M&E difficulties faced; how such difficulties impact the success of project implementation; to analyze the importance of gender-sensitive collection and analysis of data; and to determine the specific M&E strategies that were used by FFC in its Feeling to its background in the Theory of Change and the Empowerment Evaluation Theory, this study relied on mixed-methods and created a descriptive research plan. It had a total of 188 members where ten were the employees of FFC and 178 were the women beneficiaries. Through a formula calculated in 1967 by Yamane one managed to calculate the sample size. The data was collected via semi-structured interviews and well-designed questionnaires. Findings revealed that FFC already has its M&E system but a number of problems regarding few resources, low technical capacity as well as poor quality of data interfere with its performance. Although the use of tools to collect data in a distributed manner was unequal, data-collecting in a gender-sensitive manner enhanced inclusiveness and responsiveness to project implementation. Based on these outcomes, these findings can guide the research to recommend the FFC Monitoring and Evaluation Department to incorporate the real-time data gathering and feedback systems to enhance prompt decision making. To address the problem of the skills deficiency and technological constraints, the FFC Management and Capacity Development Units ought to finance the activities of the staff training and technical assistance as well. The Gender Integration Unit is recommending the development and institutionalization of gender-sensitive data structures, especially in conflict-mired zones. Last but not least, the study recommends similar to project teams the mixed-methods evaluation plan that integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods such as outcome mapping or participatory rural appraisals in order to assess the project outcomes in a better way, reinforce responsibility and learning.