How to Measure the Gender Impact of Investments

Within the field of impact investing, the emergence of Gender-Smart Investing (GSI) carries major significance. The growth of this investment lens has been rapid and the amounts invested are noteworthy. In 2018, 496 institutional asset owners reported that they applied gender lens criteria to $868 billion in assets; more than double the $397 billion identified in 2016. As investors increasingly drive capital towards GSI, it is critical that they are able to measure and monitor the impact such investment has on advancing gender quality and women’s economic empowerment. This guidance note, How to Measure the Gender Impact of Investments: Using the 2X
Challenge Indicators has been produced to support measuring this impact using a series of key gender impact indicators, aligned to the 2X Challenge criteria. It also demonstrates how 2X Challenge indicators then map against standard IRIS metrics, enabling industry alignment on gender impact monitoring, and helping to drive efficiencies in the way both investors and investees report.