The Gender Empowerment Measure was developed by the UNDP to assess the extent to which women are able to actively participate in economic and political life and exercise power in decision-making processes. Unlike indicators that focus only on basic capabilities or welfare, GEM emphasizes agency and empowerment, making it relevant for participatory community development where inclusion and shared decision-making are central. GEM captures three broad dimensions: political participation and decision-making power measured through women’s representation in parliament and other decision-making bodies; economic participation and decision-making power assessed through women’s share in professional, technical, administrative, and managerial positions; and power over economic resources measured by estimated earned income of women relative to men. In the context of evaluating specific projects and programmes, GEM helps to identify whether interventions have enhanced women’s visibility in leadership roles, improved access to remunerative employment, and reduced gender gaps in income. For participatory community development initiatives such as self-help groups, local governance reforms, or livelihood programmes, GEM provides a macro-level benchmark to understand whether community-level participation translates into broader empowerment outcomes.