OPERATIONALISING GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSIVITY ACROSS THE RESEARCH FUNDING LIFECYCLE: EVIDENCE FROM A SYSTEM-LEVEL CAPACITY-BUILDING INTERVENTION IN GHANA

Abstract

Gender Equality, Inclusivity, and Intersectionality (GEII) are increasingly recognised as priorities within science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy frameworks. However, there remains a persistent gap between policy commitments and institutional practice within national research funding systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines how GEII can be operationalised across the research funding lifecycle through a system-level capacity-building intervention in Ghana. Drawing on a qualitative case study of the Bridging Gender Gaps in Research and Evaluation Process (EQUISTEM) Project, the study analyses a nationally implemented GEII training curriculum and associated multi-actor workshops involving science granting council staff, peer reviewers, researchers, and institutional research managers. Using a curriculum-as-data approach, the analysis integrates structured document review of the training manual with insights from facilitated workshop discussions and a validation session to examine how GEII principles were translated into practical competencies related to funding design, proposal evaluation, and accountability mechanisms. The findings show that system‑level capacity‑building can foster institutional learning and reflexivity by shifting understanding of gender inequality from individual‑level explanations toward recognition of structural and procedural barriers embedded within research funding systems. At the same time, the study highlights persistent tensions between meritocratic norms and equity objectives, as well as limitations associated with weak accountability mechanisms and monitoring infrastructure. The paper contributes empirical and methodological insights into the operationalisation of GEII through system‑level capacity‑building and offers lessons for strengthening inclusive research funding governance in Ghana and comparable contexts.