Hnin Ei Lwin

Evaluation is a key component of a learning and accountability system, whether in a project, an organization, or our personal lives.  It helps us reflect on what we have done, learn from our experiences, and hold ourselves accountable for how we can improve. Hnin Ei Lwin #Monitoring #Evaluation #Reporting #Research #MEARL #social #development #humanitarian #publichealth    A collection of my Research and MEARL insights is available at:  https://hnineilwinnotes.blogspot.com .

S tatistical power depends on factors such as sample size, expected effect, participation, and variation in outcomes. Larger samples and stronger effects increase power, while low participation, unequal group sizes, and cluster randomization can reduce it.  The guide published by  t he Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)  provides  six ‘rules of thumb’ that affect sample size and statistical powe r. In brief ,  this guide   explains that sample size should be determined based on the expected effect, outcome variation, participation, and study design .  Consequently, cluster-based studies usually require a larger total number of participants to achieve the same level of statistical power. Link to the doc:  https://www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/default/files/research-resources/2018.03.21-Rules-of-Thumb-for-Sample-Size-and-Power.pdf Citation:  The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), 2018.   Six rules of thumb for deter...

If you  are  interested in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) or your work involves integrating GESI into program s , this is a resource worth reading.  The   GESI Toolkit for Counter-Trafficking, developed by Winrock and USAID Asia CTIP (Counter-Trafficking in Persons)  project team , provides practical guidance on integrating GESI into counter-trafficking programming and reporting.  It offers practical approaches tailored to the specific context of CTIP, along with guidance on embedding gender equality and social inclusion throughout program design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Link to the doc:  https://winrock.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Asia-CTIP-GESI-Toolkit.pdf Hnin Ei Lwin #Monitoring #Evaluation #Reporting #Research #MEARL #social #development #humanitarian #publichealth    A collection of my Research and MEARL insights is available  at :   https://hnineilwinnotes....

Having worked on several projects focused on localization and localization strategies informed by research and M&E, I couldn't agree more with the points mentioned in this document. Localization is not just another activity or policy. It is about shifting power through shared decision-making, equitable partnerships, mutual accountability, and stronger local leadership. While local organizations are increasingly included in coordination structures, decision-making is still largely driven by international actors, raising concerns that their participation is often more symbolic than meaningful. Project-based funding and top-down capacity-building approaches can also limit local ownership, overlook local knowledge, and reinforce dependency. These realities show that localization is still a work in progress and raise important questions about power, partnerships, and the future of humanitarian and development aid. Link to the doc: https://alnap.hacdn.io/media/documents/ALNAP_Explain...

The lack of baseline data is a recurring challenge in M&E that I have encountered throughout my experience, especially when frameworks require a direct comparison between baseline and endline data to measure changes over time. In practice, there are situations where baseline data are not collected at the beginning of a project, and implementation moves forward based on immediate contextual needs and operational priorities, without fully considering the data requirements outlined in the M&E framework. To address this, I would like to share an old but still useful resource by Michael Bamberger that offers practical strategies for "reconstructing" baseline data. These include using recall methods and key informant interviews to capture early conditions, leveraging secondary sources, reviewing project-specific administrative records, and conducting group interviews to understand past socioeconomic characteristics and behaviors of the target population.  These techniques c...

Evaluation should be part of an organization's broader learning and accountability system, rather than an ad hoc reporting exercise or merely a requirement for donor compliance. Hnin Ei Lwin #Monitoring #Evaluation #Reporting #Research #MEARL #social #development #humanitarian #publichealth 

The Scorecard measures progress in six areas of gender-responsive climate action (Economic Security, Unpaid Care Work, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Participation and Leadership, and Gender mainstreaming). It helps civil society, governments, and the UN monitor progress on gender commitments in climate policies and encourages learning from good practices. This fact sheet reviews 67 third‑iteration NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) submitted by 30 September 2025, together with case studies from Cambodia, Kenya, and Uruguay.  Therefore, i t enables comparisons across some countries and policy areas, identifies gaps, and supports accountability through an online repository of good practices. Its methodology can also be applied to other climate policy documents to provide a broader view of countries' efforts to advance both gender equality and climate action. The full dataset, including information on policy actions, can be accessed on an interactive dashboard :...

According to the latest food security update (June 2026), Myanmar remains the region's greatest concern in East Asia and the Pacific, with 12.4 million people facing acute food insecurity due to ongoing conflict, market disruptions, and high agricultural input costs. Continued monitoring should focus on food affordability, input costs, exchange rate pass-through, climate-related and logistics risks, and the implementation of policy measures. Global food and nutrition security also remains fragile. As noted in the report, production of major cereals is projected to decline from the record levels reached in 2025, highlighting continued risks to global food supplies. Link to the doc: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/40ebbf38f5a6b68bfc11e5273e1405d4-0090012022/related/Food-and-Nutrition-Security-Update-edition-123-June-2026.pdf   https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update Hnin Ei Lwin #Monitoring #Evaluation #Reporting #Research...

According to ESCAP's (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) 2026 Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report, the Asia-Pacific region is falling behind on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with only five years remaining to meet the 2030 deadline.  The report highlights a clear contradiction: while the region has achieved significant progress in poverty reduction, health improvements, and industrialization, these gains are being offset by environmental degradation and worsening inequality.  Although indicators for digital connectivity and international trade demonstrate strength, systemic challenges continue to undermine progress.  Furthermore, the slow development of national statistical capacities has created data gaps for critical indicators, hindering effective monitoring and implementation of the 2030 agenda. Link to the document: https://www.unescap.org/kp/2026/asia-and-pacific-sdg-progress-report-2026 https://repository.unescap.org/ser...