EM2030 presents the SDG Gender Index, Gender Advocates Data Hub & Global Report during the UN General Assembly
On 24 September 2018, alongside the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Equal Measures 2030 (EM2030) presented the new SDG Gender Index and Gender Advocates Data Hub to hundreds of leading gender, data and SDG advocates and policymakers in New York.
During the event, guests explored gender equality insights from 600+ gender advocates as we shared findings from our Global Advocates Survey, as well as stories from our work around the world. Guests also enjoyed an interactive display of gender equality data visualizations created and shared live in collaboration with Tableau Public and the Makeover Monday data community.
Guests had the opportunity to dig deeper into the Index findings during our regional marketplace by engaging with national partners who offered perspectives about gender equality and data issues across EM2030’s six focus countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Photos from the event
The event was filled with powerful discussions on how we can and must use data to secure progressive and lasting change for girls and women worldwide.
“Data and evidence is powerful because it changes minds and it drives policies, implementation and change for girls and women,” said Gayle Smith, President and CEO of ONE Campaign (EM2030 partner) during her keynote address.
“Behind every number there is a person,” she continued.
Emily Courey Pryor, Executive Director of Data2X (EM2030 partner), further commented that “You can only be serious about gender equality if you’re serious about improving gender data. Both to have, and to use.”
During the fireside chat led by EM2030 Director Alison Holder, Margarita Fernandez, Technical and Planning Manager for the Institute for Women’s Development under the Government of El Salvador, reinforced Smith’s and Pryor’s message, saying that:
“To ensure girls and women count and will be counted, we need to understand the gaps in the data and their true lived realities.”
The message resounding from the event speakers was clear — impact-driven and effective SDG advocacy is driven by data collected for, about, and by girls and women.
Ángela Anzola de Toro, Secretary of Women’s Affairs, District of Bogotá in Colombia, is hopeful that her country will improve when it comes to gender equality:
“The new government in Colombia has a huge challenge in implementing the peace accord, especially in the rural areas. But maybe with our new female Vice President — we may make it”
The Secretary of Women’s Affairs for Bogota also shared recent efforts to map the city of Bogota in order to generate an Index that highlights perceived safety for women in public spaces.
To conclude the event, Diane Jacovella, Deputy Minister of International Development, Global Affairs Canada, reinforced the need to collaborate across all levels, emphasizing that “it’s particularly important to work with local women’s organizations. They know what information is missing.”
“ We need data and information to challenge gender norms,” says Diane, after citing a statistic that only 13% of countries have a budget for gender data statistics. In addition, Diane cited Canada’s recent investment to work with local women’s organizations and address issues of gender equality.
Follow progress on the gender equality aspects of the SDGs on the Gender Advocates Data Hub, and explore gender equality findings from our six pilot countries (Kenya, Senegal, India, Indonesia, Colombia, Senegal) in our latest Global Report 2018.
