Program Data Feminism - Data-Pop Alliance

Data Feminism

Intersectional Data-Driven Advocacy and Policy for Gender Equality

Why Data Feminism?

The challenges women face are often invisible in data. Nevertheless, data collected, analyzed, and interpreted through an intersectional lens can contribute to more effective program and policy design, as well as empower women and gender-diverse groups. DPA’s Data Feminism Program is inspired by the concepts and principles discussed by Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren Klein in their homonymous book, as well as by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s Goal 5, which highlights the need to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”. Through this Program, our goal is to produce evidence for advocacy endeavors and policies that will accelerate intersectional, feminist, and LGBTQI+ inclusive gender equality.

Program Lead Anna Spinardi outlines the vision behind the Program in the blog post linked below.

"It will take 135.6 years to close the gender gap worldwide if the current trajectory continues..."

Global Gender Gap Report, 2021

WEF

Partnership

This Program is partly supported by the partnership with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Learn more.

Methods

DPA has years of experience leveraging mix-methods approaches and non-traditional data for gender-related projects. Some of the key methods employed are: evidence-based assessments, gender and data capacity-building, and advanced GBV data modeling and visualization.

Products and Projects

Product 1

Evidence-Based Gender Assessments

Product 2

Gender and
Data Training

Product 3

GBV
Modeling

Transversal

Transversal
Projects

Evidence-Based Gender Assessments

Regional Consultations: Towards Real Diversity and Gender Equality in Artificial Intelligence – Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Project

This project aims to provide the AI ecosystem, in particular the member States of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), with a framework including concrete tools and recommendations to ensure diversity and gender equality throughout the AI cycle based on existing guidelines, good local practices from around the world, international human rights and gender equality standards.

Landscape Mapping and Review of Technology-based Interventions to Mitigate Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

DPA, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, conducted a comprehensive landscape mapping of key technology-based interventions to mitigate child-marriage and FGM through empowerment of girls and to review the digital solutions and tools used in these interventions, their effectiveness and potential areas for improvement in 13 countries in Africa and Asia. The methodology proposed by DPA was based on an analysis that integrated both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as traditional and non-traditional data sources collected at different stages of the study, underpinned by a participatory approach involving UNICEF, UNFPA and other stakeholders that provided feedback and input throughout the entire project.

Mobility and Gender in Mexico City and Lima

Female and male commuters utilize public transport differently, and yet, not enough is known about women commuters’ experiences and challenges. In countries such as Mexico and Peru, gendered perspectives in public policy are starting to be considered, but public action remains insufficient. Together with the socially-focused company WhereIsMyTransport and Rumbo, DPA collected data via online surveys that reflects the issues faced by women transportation users in Mexico City, Mexico, and Lima, Peru. The resulting paper highlights the findings across four areas of interest, and offers actionable recommendations to empower female commuters and promote gender equality.

Capturing the Socioeconomic and Cultural Drivers of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Sierra Leone

In partnership with UNDP Sierra Leone, this project studied the prevalence, incidence, trends and patterns of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within Sierra Leone via a parallel, mixed-methods methodology. Through analysis into the root causes of SGBV, the report sought to provide evidence that would form the basis for targeted policy recommendations to prevent and respond to this phenomenon through a unified national response. Close collaboration with the Sierra Leonean government generated recommendations that can guide the development of policies and programs to promote the attainment of the highest level of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people; as well as policies targeting the reduction of incidence of HIV, GBV prevention, and survivor support services.

Institutional Gender Assessment of Cinvestav

Developed in partnership with Cinvestav, a network of 11 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research centers across Mexico, this project aimed to provide an institutional gender assessment of the challenges that women working and studying in the network face (including harassment). The findings from an online survey, focus groups, literature review, and documentary analysis were used to outline actionable recommendations towards gender mainstreaming in this complex organization.

Liberia Country Gender Equality Profile (CGEP)

The CGEP of Liberia, the first of its kind in the country, examined the situation of gender (in)equality in Liberia from a multi-sectoral and intersectional perspective, including an analysis of the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as response and recovery implications. As part of an increasing effort to eliminate all forms of gender-based discrimination, the CGEP represents an important guide to assess the existing situation regarding women’s empowerment and gender equality in Liberia. This project was funded by UN Women Liberia, and supported by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection Liberia; the European Union, the African Development Bank, and the Government of Sweden.

Gender and Data Training

Advanced Training on Big Data for Gender-Responsive SDG Monitoring

In partnership with UN Women Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, DPA conducted a two-day in-person advanced training for the Gender Statistics Unit at UN Women. The primary objective was to empower participants with the skills to handle non-traditional data sources and showcase their real-world utility in the context of gender-sensitive monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This comprehensive training program integrated a variety of interactive activities designed to foster theoretical, technical, and practical learning across the four key dimensions of Big Data. These included conceptual presentations, ethical discussions, data-focused technical tutorials, interactive forums, and hands-on laboratory sessions.

Data Feminism Webinar

The Data Feminism Series was an event co-organized and developed by the GIZ Data Lab and Data-Pop Alliance aimed at increasing awareness about Gender Data’s potential (and gaps) to address structural inequalities, especially in the “Age of Data”. In addition, we sought to inspire decision makers to see Gender Data as a cornerstone of a successful feminist development cooperation, which considers power relationships and adopts intersectional approaches. The series was divided into 4 separate events, each featuring high-ranking experts in their field and working session in order to leverage experiences from around the globe, as well as from different sectors and stakeholders.

Gender Data 201 Course

Gender Data 201 is a free, self-paced, online course developed by DPA with support from Meta and in collaboration with TechChange (the hosting platform). The objective of the course is to offer a hands-on online learning experience that equips participants with the data skills needed to lead gender-responsive advocacy work, decision-making processes, and/or policy design and implementation. With more than hundred participants from all over the world and expert facilitators from various organizations, this course is a unique opportunity to start leveraging gender data in your own projects and become part of a larger international community of practitioners, driving social change through collaboration.

GBV Modeling

Reporting and Registering Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls in Mexico City, Bogota and Sao Paulo: A Data-Driven Model

This project, developed with support from UNIDAS and GIZ Data Lab, leveraged traditional and non-traditional data sources to assess the reporting capability of women and girls in Mexico City, Bogota and Sao Paulo. The analytical model estimated the probability of registering domestic violence at the locality or municipal level, taking into account personal (e.g. age, educational attainment) and environmental factors (e.g. access to support services, human mobility during the COVID-19 quarantine). The report for Mexico is not available.

Transversal Projects

Increasing and Strengthening the Availability of Digital Sexual and Reproductive Health Services with Youth-Friendly Approaches in Latin America

In partnership with Fòs Feminista, DPA conducted a consultancy with the objective of updating Fòs Feminista’ subject knowledge, with a focus on digital sexual and reproductive health services implemented by their partners in the LATAM, Africa, and Asia regions, as well as to generate an analysis of the different strategies and methodologies used to apply a youth-friendly approach in delivering sexual and reproductive health services digitally. (edited)

The Patrick J. McGovern Grant

The Patrick J McGovern Foundation granted DPA a renewal of $400,000, which for the Data Feminism Program will aid the Program Team in improving the lives of women and girls around the world through innovative methodologies and collaborative project development.

CRM Design and Centralized Database for AbogadasMX

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Data Feminism Grant

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) has awarded DPA’s Data Feminism Program a twelve-month, $300,000 grant to support our work advancing intersectional, data-driven research, training and advocacy to continue fostering gender equality across Latin America and the Caribbean, the MENA region and Sub-Saharan Africa.