The importance of gender disaggregated data

What is gender disaggregated data and why is it important for local governments?

Gender disaggregated data refers to data that is collected and analysed separately for men and women. This allows decision makers to identify differences in the experiences, needs, and priorities of men and women in the community. For example, if local government officials only collect data on average incomes in their community, they may miss important differences between men and women’s earnings. By collecting and analysing gender disaggregated data, however, they may find that women are disproportionately represented among low-income earners or that women’s earnings are lower than men’s in certain industries or sectors.

Using this information, local governments can then design policies and programmes that are tailored to the needs of different genders, and that promote gender equality. Without this data, local governments may develop policies and programmes that inadvertently exclude or disadvantage certain genders, resulting in wasted resources and missed opportunities for improving the lives of community members.

Five reasons as to why data should always be gender disaggregated:

1. Identifying and addressing gender inequalities:

Gender disaggregated data provides information on how different genders are impacted by policies and programs, helping local governments to identify and address gender inequalities. Without such data, policies and programs may inadvertently discriminate against certain genders, perpetuating inequality.

2. Planning and budgeting:

Gender disaggregated data is essential for effective planning and budgeting. By understanding the needs and priorities of different genders, local governments can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that policies and programs meet the needs of all members of the community.

3. Monitoring and evaluation:

Gender disaggregated data helps local governments to monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programs on different genders. This allows them to make adjustments where necessary and ensure that all members of the community benefit from the programmes.

4. Addressing violence against women:

Gender disaggregated data can help local governments to identify and address violence against women. By understanding the prevalence and nature of violence against women, local governments can develop effective policies and programs to prevent and respond to such violence.

5. Political participation:

Gender disaggregated data can help to improve the participation and representation of women in decision-making processes. By understanding the different experiences and perspectives of men and women, local governments can design policies and programmes that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all members of the community. Gender disaggregated data can also help to identify barriers to women’s participation and representation in decision-making, enabling local governments to take targeted action to address these issues.

Always gender, but never just gender – the importance of intersectionality

As mentioned in module 1, intersectionality is crucial when working with gender equality, since gender does not exist in a vacuum but intersects with other factors such as race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, and ability.