ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the topic of how to incorporate gender issues into monitoring and evaluation systems within the farming systems research and extension perspective. Conventional methods of data collection are based on an inadequate conceptualization of the role of women that underrepresents their contributions to agriculture. Monitoring and evaluation systems do distinguish between men and women, but there is usually no in-depth analysis as to whether or not there is unequal access to resources or if women are the primary producers and users of technology. With the exception of total fertility rate and mean age at marriage, indicators with particular significance for women, there are no other census indicators that can be considered relevant only for women. The conceptualization and measurement of key indicators with policy implications, such as the activity rates of men and women in agriculture, must be appropriate and comprehensive to produce valid and complete enumeration of all of men's and women's activities.
