G-PESTLE: A gender-transformative foresight framework

As uncertainty becomes the norm, foresight complements traditional planning, helping anticipate change and sustain effectiveness. Applied uncritically, however, foresight may miss the perspectives of women, girls, and overlooked groups. This creates the risk of amplifying only the loudest voices and unintentionally reinforcing inequalities.

Building on the UN 2.0 vision of a forward-looking United Nations, UN Women developed the G-PESTLE framework. As a gender-transformative approach to foresight, it aims to drive change equitably and inclusively towards better futures for all. It is shaped by a set of questions to expand perspectives and embed gender equality throughout any foresight process.

The framework integrates three established approaches:

• Areas to apply foresight defined in the UN Strategic Foresight Guide.
• The PESTLE factors: political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental.
• UN guiding principles on the human rights-based approach, leaving no one behind, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The framework brings a gender and systemic perspective to long-term decision-making. It supports making sense of emerging change and anticipating possible opportunities and risks through a gender-transformative, human-centred lens.

When starting a research process, use the guide to review whether signals represent an array of perspectives and topics, including those that challenge biases and assumptions.
When exploring potential implications, use it to brainstorm transformative possibilities for diverse population groups.
When framing actions to inform decision-making, use it to ideate how to address risks and opportunities to advance gender equality and inclusion.