Why WE-IMPACT
While the availability of data and evidence on women’s empowerment has expanded significantly, with the WEAI suite of tools contributing to this growth, gaps remain in translating this evidence into actionable insights for policy and practice. The WE-IMPACT Fellows Program responds to this need by building capacity for:
- Interpretation of WEAI findings
- Communicating evidence clearly and confidently to policy audiences
- Learning from peers in a structured space
The program is designed to respond to one of the most frequently asked questions from WEAI users once analysis is completed: “Now what?” Unlike technical training focused on data collection or index construction, WE-IMPACT centers the interpretation, communication, and strategic use of WEAI evidence.
WE-IMPACT is intended for practitioners, researchers, and policy-facing professionals who generate or use women’s empowerment evidence and are seeking to strengthen its influence on policies and programs.
Program Approach
WE-IMPACT brings together technical content on the project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI) with facilitated, cohort-based learning and reflection among peers working in diverse institutional and geographic contexts. Activities may include self-paced online learning, facilitated live sessions, group work, and online spaces that connect fellows from different contexts.
Through the program, participants strengthen their ability to translate WEAI findings into policy-relevant messages, engage decision-makers, and learn from peers facing similar evidence-to-action challenges.
Current Status
WE-IMPACT was launched in 2025 and is currently being piloted in partnership with the Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Towards the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women (JP RWEE) Phase 2. During this pilot phase, the program is being tested and refined based on participant feedback and implementation experience. Lessons from this work will inform potential future expansion and adaptation of the program.
Looking Ahead
WE-IMPACT can be delivered as a tailored capacity sharing program for government agencies, development partners, and research institutions seeking to strengthen the use of women’s empowerment evidence in decision-making. If your organization is interested in hosting a WE-IMPACT cohort, integrating it into an existing initiative, or exploring collaboration, please contact us at IFPRI-WEAI@cgiar.org.