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.
Partnership
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
Evidence-Based Gender Assessments
- Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Sudan, Uganda, Zambia
- July 2022- January 2023
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.
- Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Mexico, Peru
- March - August 2022
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.
- Sierra Leone
- January - June 2022
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.
- Mexico
- August 2021 - January 2022
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
- May - September 2021
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
- Global
- August 2022 - Feburary 2023
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.
- Global
- June 2021 - Currently available
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
- Brazil, Colombia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Mexico
- June 2020 - February 2021
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
- Global
- 2022 - 2023
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.