THEMATIC FORUMS

During 2016 and 2017, DataShift convened thematic forums on gender in each of its four pilot countries, along with a global gender thematic forum

Through both research and activities with civil society organisations in-country, DataShift has learned that increasing collaboration, credibility and complementarity on CGD is best pursued by focusing on specific thematic areas. In each pilot country (Kenya, Argentina, Nepal and Tanzania), DataShift has therefore convened Thematic Forum processes, focusing on the issue of gender equality via the framework of targets and indicators outlined under SDG 5. Gender equality was selected for a number of reasons, including its cross-cutting nature and wide appeal amongst civil society organisations, as well as the identified potential for CGD to fill current data gaps on the diverse topic.      

DataShift Thematic Forums involve events, consultations and online exchanges to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration on CGD related to this priority thematic area. This includes on approaches to enhancing credibility and complementarity, both between the CGD produced by different projects, and between CGD and other data sources like official statistics. In addition to activities at the national level, this involves using what DataShift is learning in-country to engage in international policy forums and platforms working to monitor progress on the SDGs.

Global Gender Thematic Forum

Exploring the global coverage, credibility, and complementarity of civil society data and citizen-generated data on gender issues

In December 2016, DataShift convened a Global Gender Thematic Forum, bringing together a small group of gender data practitioners from these countries, along with a number of other international experts, working on issues from digital literacy, to statistics, to the empowerment of women, to ‘mutually reinforcing’ global advocacy activities. The event sought to take an in-depth look at the possibilities and barriers for improving the coherence of civil society data and CGD on gender, exploring in particular issues of credibility via topics such as methodological rigour and responsible data use, with a view to identifying practical steps to overcoming such challenges.  In the report, “Exploring the Global Coverage, Credibility and Complementarity of Civil Society Data and Citizen-Generated Data on Gender Issues, we identify the challenges and opportunities around using CGD as part of an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to spurring action and monitoring progress on SDG 5. Download the report.

Kenya Gender Thematic Forum

On 28 July 2016, DataShift, together with the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and the SDGs Kenya Forum, convened a one-day event to explore opportunities for delivering an integrated, data-driven multi-stakeholder approach to implementing and monitoring progress on SDG 5 and other gender-related targets across the goals framework. The event featured expert panel discussions and presentations from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and Department of Gender Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. It also brought together over 50 other stakeholders from government, private sector, media, civil society; including women’s rights organisations, development partners, academia, researchers, media, and technology enthusiasts, among others. Read the full report.

Nepal Gender Thematic Forum

The Nepal Gender Thematic Forum saw more than 70 participants from diverse sectors including, governmental and bilateral organisations, academia, media and civil society. Following expert panel sessions that explored the current state of gender data in the country and how civil society is organising to drive progress on the SDGs, interactive discussions focused on enabling participants to learn from one another, with a view to identifying specific opportunities for collaboration on the production, analysis and use of gender data – especially CGD – going forward. Read the full report.

Argentina Gender Thematic Forum

The main objective of the Argentina Gender Thematic Forum is to gain a better understanding of the gender data ecosystem in Argentina, as well as find opportunities for future DataShift initiatives. After multiple initial briefings and consultations with both civil society, grass-roots movements and other stakeholders like the official statistical community in Argentina, an in-person event took place in April 2017. This report provides a brief overview of the situation in Argentina, as well as the steps Wingu, as DataShift’s lead partner in the country, are taking to advance the gender CGD agenda. This includes an outline of the barriers that have been encountered along the way, as well as the associated learnings and plan of action to combat them.

Tanzania Gender Thematic Forum

DataShift is excited to be participating in the SDGs and Statistics Forum in May 2017 in Tanzania. Recognising the importance of strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships in SDGs localisation and the monitoring of progress on gender equality across all SDG goals; UN Women is partnering with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and DataShift to host a multi-sectoral national workshop and high-level forum on gender data and statistics.

The event will be attended by planning and monitoring and evaluation officers (M&E) of sectoral ministries and higher learning and research institutions, CSOs, the media and private sector. Deliberations will focus on strategies to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for gender statistics, data collection and analysis for SDGs localisation monitoring and reporting, in line with national development priorities and plans. A key objective of this three-day event is to reinforce the attention to, and understanding of, the SDG 5 in the context of Tanzania, including exploring the significance of gender targets and indicators in achieving the other SDGs, amongst others. Be sure to visit this page, for outcomes of the event.

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