Program Data Feminism - Data-Pop Alliance

Data Feminism

Intersectional Data-Driven Advocacy and Policy for Gender Equality

Partnership

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

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 Director Anna Spinardi outlines the vision behind the Data Feminism 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

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

kNOwVAWdata Training Course: Module on the Harmful Practices of Child Marriage (CM) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

DPA, with funding from UNFPA and support from the University of Melbourne, developed a series of online training modules on ‘Harmful Practices’ against women. This course teaches participants the foundational principles of Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender-biased sex selection, and other harmful practices, and trains them on the best practices to collect, analyze, and interpret data on these topics. The course features case studies from around the globe, technical tutorials, instructional content on research techniques, interviews from experts, interactive elements, and asynchronous evaluation methods including quizzes and games to test users’ knowledge.

Political Parties Response to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TF-GBV) in Brazil

Technology-facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TF-GBV) against women in politics is an increasing, global concern for democracies. It is situated within the rising anti-gender and anti-feminist backlash and further aided by resistance from technology companies for greater regulations of their activities and responsibility to prevent and address such violence. This research project is implemented in partnership with Align and seeks to identify how social (gender) norms and other factors shape political parties’ responses to TF-GBV against women in politics in Brazil and what practices can be adopted by political parties to address it and to create a more enabling environment. A partner organization will be conducting similar research in Nigeria.

Feminist Urban Design: A Gender-Inclusive Framework for Cities

Data-Pop Alliance (DPA), in collaboration with Open Data Watch (ODW), was tasked with creating a pioneering gender data framework for urban environments, commissioned by the City Hub and Network for Gender Equity (CHANGE). This framework was intended for implementation across CHANGE’s network cities, starting with Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Nairobi, and Quezon City as the initial participants. Capitalizing on DPA’s and ODW’s specialized knowledge in data analytics and gender-focused research, the project’s core objective was to provide a robust measurement of gender equity within varied city landscapes. The project’s deliverables included: A comprehensive blueprint outlining the essential requirements and stages for cities to prepare and deploy the framework; The framework itself, featuring specific dimensions and indicators that assessed both the processes and physical form of the cities concerning gender equity; and a specialized data collection tool, complete with training materials, to enable cities to gather and process all necessary data to effectively utilize the framework. This multi-faceted approach ensured that the participating cities were equipped with the knowledge, tools, and methods required to drive meaningful progress in the realm of urban gender equity.

Tracking Policy Influence Using Gender-Based Violence as a Case Study: Assessing the Overton Platform

DPA, in collaboration with ILDA, conducted a case study examining the evidence available on the Overton Platform regarding the influence of research on gender-based violence in policy. Overton is touted as the world’s most comprehensive searchable index of policy documents, encompassing research, briefs, reviews, or reports aimed at influencing policy. The platform aggregates information from over a thousand sources spanning more than 180 countries and regularly updates its database. It meticulously analyzes each document to pinpoint references, individuals, and key concepts, linking them to relevant news stories, academic research, think tank publications, and other policy-related content. Through its contribution to the Overton project’s aims and research objectives, DPA aimed to identify evidence that could ultimately catalyze positive change in addressing gender-related challenges.

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.

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

Mila’s AI for Humanity Team identified high-impact, socially beneficial projects and invested in their development and deployment. AI offered possibilities for enhancing well-being and contributing to the SDGs but also had the potential to deepen divides. AI was generally designed and evaluated without systematic gender and diversity approaches, potentially leading to negative consequences. This project aimed to provide the AI ecosystem, particularly the member States of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), with a framework of tools and recommendations to ensure diversity and gender equality throughout the AI cycle. DPA provided technical, organizational, and research support for GPAI’s Project on DGE in AI, organizing consultations and data collection with advisory groups from various sectors, focusing on marginalized and minority groups globally.

Landscape Mapping and Review of Technology-Based Interventions to Address Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation Across 13 Countries in Asia and Africa

The need to end child marriage and FGM has never been greater –without accelerated progress to end both of these harmful practices, millions of women and girls across the globe will continue to be in danger. DPA, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, conducted a comprehensive landscape mapping and review of key technology-based interventions to address child marriage and FGM across 13 countries in Africa and Asia (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia). During the second phase of the project, DPA carried out an in depth review of three selected interventions to better understand their effectiveness, key success factors, and potential areas for improvement.

The methodology proposed by DPA was based on intersectional feminist approach and an analysis integrating 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.

Mobility and Gender in Mexico City and Lima

Female and male commuters utilize public transportation differently, yet not enough is known about women’s commuting 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, 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 highlighted the findings and provided 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 assessed the prevalence, incidence, trends, and patterns of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Sierra Leone through a mixed-methods approach and innovate machine learning techniques. By analyzing the structural and root causes that contribute to SGBV, the final report provided targeted policy recommendations to prevent and respond to this phenomenon through a unified national response.

With regards to quantitative methods, DPA mapped, accessed, and analyzed national and international data sources to uncover which drivers might have a higher statistical influence on the prevalence of SGBV. With this information, the research team created advanced machine learning techniques to identify the most relevant indicators and their relationship to SGBV. This analysis was complemented with qualitative data collected through a systematic literature review (over 50 pieces, supported by the ecological model), semi-structured interviews with survivors of SGBV, and focus group discussions with key CSO and government stakeholders.

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 inequality 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.

Geospatial Analysis of Care Systems in Bangladesh

Data-Pop Alliance (DPA), in collaboration with UN Women, conducted a geospatial analysis of care systems within Bangladesh to facilitate evidence-based decision-making processes and investments in the care economy. Utilizing data from the geo-coded Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Bangladesh in 2022, this analysis aimed to identify districts with the highest concentration of children and other age-specific care requirements, assess women’s employment rates and relevant economic indicators, and incorporate climate-related factors to understand the potential impact of climate change on care demands. The primary objective of this research was to enhance evidence-informed decision-making processes regarding investments in various types of care delivery models tailored to specific care demands.

Gender and Data Training

Data and Algorithms to Measure and Prevent Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the UK

DPA, in collaboration with the University of Surrey, developed a project to highlight the importance of understanding the multiple factors that influence the reporting, prevention, and response to GBV. The project aimed to create a novel, comprehensive, data-driven framework to identify and analyze the underlying causes of GBV. It focused on three main objectives: developing a conceptual framework that combined qualitative and quantitative methods to understand underreporting factors, mapping available data to apply the framework in the UK, and using this framework as a basis for future studies. This approach sought to account for the various factors involved in underreporting, beyond just statistics, to inform future GBV research and policy recommendations aimed at improving prevention and support strategies.

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.

GIZ Data Feminism Series

The Data Feminism Series, co-organized and developed by the GIZ Data Lab and Data-Pop Alliance, aimed at exploring, from different angles, what Feminist Development Cooperation is / should be, specifically within the context of the GIZ. In addition, the event sought to inspire decision-makers to view Gender Data as a cornerstone of successful feminist development cooperation, considering power relationships and adopting intersectional approaches. Under the motto “From Talk to Action”, the series was divided into 4 separate events, each featuring high-ranking experts in their field 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 has been 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 over a hundred participants from around the world and expert facilitators from various organizations, this course provided a unique opportunity for participants to start leveraging gender data in their 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 in partnership with 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

Gender Tool

The Gender Tool harnesses advanced technology to generate timely, actionable insights that enhance decision-making for gender equality. With a user-friendly interface, it streamlines the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data, integrates AI assistance, and provides support from a team of gender experts, enabling swift translation of data into impactful recommendations.

Book and Movie Club: “Technology Through Feminist Lenses”

With the generous support of the Patrick J McGovern Foundation, Data-Pop Alliance and Eureka proudly launched the free Book and Movie Club titled “Technology Through Feminist Lenses.” The club conducted sessions in three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Throughout its three months, we utilized curated content to explore technology as a lens to discuss intersectional feminist perspectives, race, class, and technology, and visions of our future based on technological advancements. The club gathered over 700 participants and also served as a platform to foster community and establish cross-cultural connections between like-minded individuals passionate about technology, gender equity, and social justice. If you are interested in reading more about the Book and Movie Club’s progress, access the highlights of each month on the Data-Pop Alliance website.

Book Club: “Counting Femicide with Catherine D’Ignazio”

This Book Club, featured the book “Counting Femicide: Data Feminism in Action” by Catherine D’Ignazio, which documents the creative, intellectual, and emotional labor of data activists across the Americas as they seek to fill the institutional gap in counting femicides and gender-related killings. The Book Club facilitated a safe space for discussion with the author herself during 8 live discussion sessions. Both the events and the by-weekly summaries were available for participants in English, but also in Spanish and Portuguese, thus expanding the reach of the book. This initiative gathered over 500 participants from across the globe, including academics, activists, journalists, policymakers, planners, and citizens interested in Data Feminism, feminicides, gender equality and activism.

Design and Development of the Central Database & CRM for Abogadas MX’s “Standards for Diversity and Inclusion within Law Firms in Mexico” Program

Phase 1: DPA, in collaboration with Abogadas MX, led the design and development of the Central Database and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for the “Standards for Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms in Mexico” Program. This included the creation of a survey to collect gender-focused data from law firms. This initiative enabled the organization to systematically gather and manage information from specific law firms about gender equality and the implemented policies, facilitating the generation of recommendations aimed at improving internal policies to address gender inequality issues and promote the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in the legal sector.

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Data Feminism Grant

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) 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. In 2023, the grant was renewed for $400,000 to continue supporting existing and new Data Feminism Initiatives, including the Book and Movie Club, “Technology Through Feminist Lenses.”