Donors, stakeholders and ILRI scientists demand that livestock research for development (R4D) contribute to reducing poverty and empowering women in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. There is currently little systematic empirical evidence on the contribution of livestock R4D to poverty alleviation and gender equity, or on what livestock-related interventions are likely to work, where, how, and for what types of individuals and households. Achieving greater poverty and gender impacts requires:

• A better understanding of the role of livestock in livelihoods of the poor, especially poor women
• Knowledge about where and how livestock R4D can reduce poverty and empower women
•  More systematic and  innovative measurement, analysis, and communication of research outcomes and impacts  
• More effective stakeholder/partner engagement and enhanced capacity across ILRI to catalyze and manage effective, pro-poor, results-oriented  R4D partnerships

  The Poverty, gender and impact team works to fill these gaps by conducting joint research with scientists from other ILRI themes and with key research and development partners. Because poverty, gender and impact are issues that cut across all ILRI themes and operating projects, the Poverty, gender and impact program operates outside the theme structure in order to facilitate collaboration across the institute.  Poverty, gender and impact staff convene ILRI’s task forces on  Impact Assessment  and  Gender.   ILRI Gender, Livestock and Livelihood Indicators This guide is a reference point for some of the important indicators that ILRI can use to monitor the changing role of livestock in livelihoods in different production systems and the impact of livestock‐related interventions to livestock projects and programs as the indicators are not meant for ILRI only. To download and use the document click on this link: (http://mahider.ilri.org/handle/10568/3036)