BRIEF undertook the baseline survey and impact evaluation of the Strengthening Gender Inclusive Initiatives (SGII) Project in the Maldives for Ernst & Young LLP, with funding support from the Government of Maldives and the Asian Development Bank, across Hulhumalé, Addu City, and Raa Ungoofaaru. The project formed part of a flagship gender equality initiative aligned with SDG 5 and national priorities on gender and social inclusion, aimed at reducing women’s unpaid care burden and strengthening institutional responses to domestic and gender-based violence (DV/GBV).

The evaluation followed a mixed-methods, pre–post design, combining household surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions to assess the effectiveness of gender-responsive social services, gender-responsive budgeting, aged care and early childcare systems, and the availability and use of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) statistics. BRIEF led survey implementation, enumerator training, digital data collection using KOBO Toolbox, and quality assurance, working closely with national institutions and local partners to ensure ethical, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate research. The findings supported evidence-based policymaking and informed the design and sustainability of future gender-inclusive programmes in the Maldives.