Strengthening African statistical systems to generate gender-disaggregated data to support policies to promote gender equality and empowerment of women

Project Summary Project code: 06/07J Executing entities: ECA Funding:  US$ 410,000 Duration: 2006-2009 Theme: Advancement of women, statistics Status: Active Region: Africa   Implementation Rate:       0%     Updated:       06/06/07

Background:        

                Gender research and studies have increasingly taken on a new dimension — that of incorporating economic efficiency considerations in the analysis of the allocation and productivity of resources for women in development. The marginalization of women in economic production, distribution and social services and in the allocation of public resources is therefore considered a source of economic inefficiency. The capacity to mainstream gender aspects into development policymaking and programme formulation, implementation and monitoring requires detailed, reliable and timely gender-disaggregated data. Unfortunately, the statistical datasets and systems at the national and regional level in Africa are still lacking in gender-specific statistics and indicators.

The availability of gender-differentiated data would considerably facilitate the work of monitoring women’s progress through the African Gender and Development Index, which is a composite of two indicators: the Gender Status Index and the African Women’s Progress Scoreboard.

ECA will execute the project with the collaboration of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The project will contribute to the design of a gender-disaggregated database and will also foster networking and partnership between stakeholders involved in research on gender equality and empowerment of women.

Objectives:

To improve policy formulation, programme targeting, including public expenditure programmes, and monitoring progress towards gender equality and empowerment of women by African Governments.

Expected accomplishment:

(a) Enhanced national capacity of Member States to generate gender-disaggregated data

(b) Identification and incorporation of gender dimensions in development indicators being produced by various sectors, policies and programmes

(c) Exchange of gender-related best practices on gender-disaggregated data compilation by national statistical services between Member States

Implementation status:

Implementation started in early 2007 and activities are being carried out.