But what exactly are gender statistics?

In brief, gender statistics tell us something meaningful about the economic and social differences that exist between people of different genders. According to the official definition there are four characteristics of a gender statistic: 

1. Data is broken down by gender
2. Data is collected about ‘gender issues’, and the ways gender shapes our needs, opportunities, and contributions to society. 
3. Data captures and reflects the full diversity of people’s lives. Gender statistics should adequately reflect differences and inequalities that exist between people of different genders (e.g. data bout the gender pay gap or gender-based violence).
4. Data is collected in ways that take into account stereotypes and social and cultural factors that may cause gender bias in the data. In other words, it’s not just what information you collect, but how you collect it. In order to generate gender statistics, you have to use gender-sensitive methods of data collection.

Not all data is created equal – mind the gender data gaps

When it comes to data, there’s a seemingly infinite amount available. However, there are critical and significant data gaps, particularly about the lives and experiences of women and girls, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

Data2X – an organisation leading in gender data - have mapped out the data gaps to understand where progress is being made, and where more work needs to be done in six key areas; economic opportunities, education, environment, health, security and safety, and public participation.

Another area where there are critical gender data gaps is the measurement of poverty and inequality. The traditional ways of collecting poverty data are not gender-sensitive. This means that global poverty data often isn’t representative of lives and experiences of women, non-binary and gender-diverse people, and these limitations have real world consequences.

Gender data gaps are a symptom of gender inequality, and a lack of quality data not only restricts effective policy and decision-making, but also hides and at times even perpetuates gender inequality.

Gender stats for gender equality 

Statistics, especially when applied with a feminist lens, help to reveal the systems and structures that perpetuate gender inequality - many of which are so normalised they are largely invisible.

Gender statistics not only help to reveal the root causes of gender inequality, they provide an evidence-base from which solutions can be developed to address inequality and injustice. Without gender data, we cannot make informed decisions or monitor progress and see if those decisions are having a positive impact.

Gender statistics are incredibly powerful when put in the hands of gender equality advocates. They are not only more empowered but also better equipped to expose inequality, drive accountability and work to build a more gender equal future.

This week, the 8^th United Nations Global Forum on Gender Statistics is taking place between 30th September - 1st October, and as the gender impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt, it’s imperative that leaders and policy-makers have access to quality gender data to inform a gender-responsive pandemic recovery.

Although progress has been made, we need to be making better use of gender statistics that already exist, while increasing and improving their production, especially when it comes to measuring poverty and inequality.

Each of us must be counted, included and visible in data if we are to build a more equal and sustainable future.