Closing the gender data gap will enable more effective policymaking, driving significant advancements in gender equality and contributing to broader social and economic development.
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This is part of the essay series: World Population Day 2024
As we commemorate World Population Day, it is vital to reflect on the commitments made towards gender equality in data since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994. This conference placed women's interests at the centre of the global development agenda, recognising gender considerations as crucial in the development agenda. However, even 30 years later, persistent gender data gaps continue to hinder progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.
The 2024 World Economic Forum’s report underscores that the global gender gap score stands at 68.5 percent closed. At the current rate of progress, achieving full parity will take 134 years.
The 2024 World Economic Forum’s report underscores that the global gender gap score stands at 68.5 percent closed. At the current rate of progress, achieving full parity will take 134 years. Furthermore, only 42 percent of the gender-specific dimensions required to monitor the SDGs are currently available. Fewer than half of the health-related SDG indicators are disaggregated by sex and gender, with only 11 out of 28 indicators adequately broken down. According to a UN study, closing the gender data gap is projected to take 22 years.
More than three-quarters of data on gender-specific SDG indicators are over a decade old, and less than 20 percent of these indicators have been collected more than once. A UN study reveals that no country reports on 14 critical indicators, including the prevalence of sexual violence against women and the proportion of women living below 50 percent of the median income and the national poverty line. Significant data gap like these, hampers our understanding of women's their socio-economic conditions and experiences. The core challenge of addressing gender data gaps lies in understanding and improving the data value chain, where there is a notable disconnect between data producers and users.
Figure 1. Gender segregated data by region
Source: Data2X and Open Data Watch, 2021
The data value chain encompasses the entire process from identifying the need for data to its final application and potential reuse. This value chain consists of four primary stages: collection, publication, uptake, and impact. This framework ensures that there is continuous feedback between data producers and stakeholders, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of the data.
The need is to transform this raw data into actionable insights and measurable impacts, into delivering targeted interventions that will help us in achieving the SDGs. For which, effective gender data must be collected and seamlessly integrated into policy processes, ensuring that a gender perspective is incorporated at every stage of policy development. This integration is vital for transforming data into actionable insights that drive meaningful change towards gender equality.
The need is to transform this raw data into actionable insights and measurable impacts, into delivering targeted interventions that will help us in achieving the SDGs.
However, data bias in gender permeates across multiple domains, like healthcare and even emerging technologies like AI. For instance, medical research and treatment protocols often fail to account for biological and physiological differences between men and women, resulting in misdiagnoses or inadequate treatment for women. Such biases perpetuate gender inequality by basing policies and decisions on incomplete or inaccurate data, reinforcing stereotypes, thereby limiting opportunities for women.
Therefore, these data systems require strengthening, that is severely hampered due to lack of adequate funding for gender data initiatives. The latest report from Data2X, highlights that an annual investment of US$ 500 million is needed until 2030 to adequately fund core gender data systems to close existing data gaps. This amount is double the current allocation, underscoring the critical shortfall in gender data financing. Furthermore, PARIS21 Partner Report on Support to Statistics 2022 reveals that, while global support for gender equality rose between 2011 and 2020, support for gender data financing dropped by 55 percent in 2020. This decline is three times greater than the reduction in funding for overall data and statistics, highlighting a severe imbalance that hampers progress.
Figure 2: Decline in funding for gender data
Source: Open Data Watch, 2022
The significance of gender data becomes paramount for achieving SDG 5, as gender equality intersects with 10 other goals. Gendered data is crucial for identifying key areas where progress lags, and where investments and projects need to be targeted. Having gendered data provides foundational knowledge necessary for achieving SDG 5, especially in times of overlapping crises, such as the climate change and geopolitical turmoil. Therefore, addressing these gaps is crucial for creating effective, targeted interventions that can accelerate progress toward gender equality and the broader SDG agenda.
It is also found that if gender data were effectively leveraged to address these inequities, the economic returns could be substantial. For instance, the annual revenue opportunity of reaching underserved women ranges from US$ 352 million in Kenya to almost US$ 1 billion in Bangladesh. These figures illustrate the significant untapped potential that improved gender data could unlock.
It is also found that if gender data were effectively leveraged to address these inequities, the economic returns could be substantial. For instance, the annual revenue opportunity of reaching underserved women ranges from US$ 352 million in Kenya to almost US$ 1 billion in Bangladesh.
This reiterates, that addressing the gender data gap is not just a matter of equity; it is also smart economics. Gender mainstreaming—integrating a gender perspective into all stages of policy development—ensures that policies are more effective and inclusive. When gender data is used to inform policy decisions, it enables the creation of targeted interventions that directly address the needs and challenges faced by women. This leads to more efficient use of resources and better outcomes for society as a whole. For instance, a McKinsey study finds that addressing the women's health gap could potentially boost the global economy by US$ 1 trillion annually by 2040. Similarly, gender-inclusive economic policies can boost women's participation in the workforce, driving economic growth.
Moving forward, addressing gender data gaps requires a holistic approach that ensures robust, inclusive data collection methods are effectively utilised in policy formulation. Achieving this involves several key actions:
Closing gender data gaps necessitates securing commitments from international donors, governments, and private sector stakeholders to allocate the necessary resources. This financial support is crucial for establishing robust gender data systems and ensuring sustained data collection efforts.
It is essential to improve the quality and frequency of gender data collection. This involves addressing biases in data collection processes to ensure that the data accurately represents all genders, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of gender-specific issues.
Effective use of gender data requires collaboration between governments, NGOs, private sector entities, and international organisations. Sharing best practices and leveraging collective expertise can significantly enhance the impact of gender data initiatives and promote more inclusive data collection methods.
To ensure policies are inclusive and effective, it is necessary to integrate gender perspectives at all stages of policy development. This commitment to gender-sensitive policymaking relies on the use of gender data to inform decisions and create interventions that address the specific needs of all genders.
Emphasising the economic gains from gender equality can motivate stakeholders to invest in gender data initiatives. Showcasing successful examples where gender data has led to positive economic outcomes can demonstrate the tangible benefits of closing gender data gaps and encourage further investment.
By taking these steps, we can address the persistent gaps in gender data. Closing the gender data gap will enable more effective policymaking, driving significant advancements in gender equality and contributing to broader social and economic development, while building a more equitable future for all.
Sharon Sarah Thawaney is the Executive Assistant to the Director at the Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata.
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Sharon Sarah Thawaney is the Executive Assistant to the Director - ORF Kolkata and CNED, Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh. She holds a Master of Social Work ...
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