1 sources of gender statistics angela me unece statistics division

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Sources of gender statistics

Angela MeUNECE Statistics Division

UNECE Statistical Division 2

What Statistical Sources are relevant for Gender

statistics?

All sources where data on individuals are collected are in principle relevant for gender statistics

Including sources used preliminary for other purposes (economic for

example)


What Statistical Sources are relevant for Gender

statistics?

Census Surveys Administrative Records Published data Other sources (surveillance

systems, associations)


Population and Housing Census

Complete Count of the people and the housing units and the collection of a number of their characteristics in a territory of a country



Identify each member of the population Collect certain basic data about them

age, sex, education, employment, etc.

Modules to collect data on specific topics may be added

Normally about every 10 years Provide the benchmarking for

population, and sampling frames



Advantage Excellent coverage

Disadvantage May be inaccurate due to

infrequency Limited data collected Lag before data produced



Data for Gender analysis

Population (counting, age, marital status, family composition)

Employment (occupations, status in employment, industry)

Unemployment Activity Status Education (attendance, level, literacy) Migration (foreign-born, foreigners, refugees,

internal migration) Living conditions (housing characteristics)



Data for Gender analysis The census is one of the pillars in

a national statistical system and in addition to the information that provides it represents the basis for the other data collection on individuals


Sample Surveys

Sampling techniques are used to select a small proportion of the population that is believed to be representative of the population at large. A survey is then conducted using this sample population to gain estimates for the total population.

The sample design and the sample size determine the quality and the representativeness of the data


The “Miracle” of the selected sample: how a limited number of people can provide data for the

whole population?

How many people is sufficient to sample in order to know the sex composition of the

population?

Any sample of 1 will give the sex composition


The “Miracle” of the selected sample

How many people is sufficient to sample in order to know the sex composition of the

population?

A “good” sample of 2 will give the sex

composition


The “Miracle” of the selected sample

The sample of 3 could cover the all composition

BUT

A good sample of 4 gives the right

proportions


Sample

A good sample depends on:

Size (not percentage over the total population)

Design


Sample Surveys

Good vehicle for collecting data from a subset of the population

Subset: Save money and resources Reduce time to collect data Reduce time to analyze Topics can be investigated in more

details


Sample SurveysAs long as

The sample is properly selected: Updated frame Proper size (depending from the topic

under investigation –its variability- and NOT on the percentage over the population)

Proper designUsually a sample of households is drawn and

data collected for each member of the household


Sample Surveys

Limitations Sample size determines if results are

generalizable to entire population (larger samples and better designs can produce better data and reliable for sub-populations/geographical localities)

Data on small sub-populations may not be reliable

Information on small geographic areas may not be available


Sample Surveys


Usually household surveys focus on socio-economic issues.

Surveys that should be carried out REGULALRY: Income and Expenditures (Household Budget Survey) Employment (Labour Force Surveys) Health

Examples of ad-hoc Surveys/Modules: Time-Use Survey Violence against women Employment (occupations,

status in employment, industry)


International Programmes of Sample Surveys

Multi-indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Children malnutrition Education (children and women – attendance) Reproductive health of women Children health Health status of children and women (HIV) Disability of children Infant and child mortality

Demographic Health Survey (DHS) Same as above Violence against women


International Programmes of Sample Surveys

Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS)

Household income and expenditures Health Education Employment Accessibility to services ……..


Administrative (or routine) data sources

Generated as a byproduct of events and processes and data collected by a variety of organizations (hospitals, schools, …)

Primary purpose is management of processes

Event triggers data production Summary and/or dissemination occurs

later (but usually within one or two years)



Examples relevant for gender analysis

Vital registration Births, deaths, marriages

Health system Diseases, services provided

Education system Enrollment, teachers

Employment Business registration Voting registers



Advantages• Less expensive than surveys and

censuses• Relatively up to date (usually available

within one to two years after event)• If properly maintained, full coverage• Often produced by agencies who are

stakeholders in the policy process, e.g., health providers, schools, industry bodies, so incentive to participate

• Routine collection of sub-population identifiers



Disadvantages

Require large efforts by Governments and People to properly maintain them

Coverage may be insufficient or biased Limited set of information collected Some data may depend upon uptake of

services May measure service provision rather than

demand, and uptake rather than impact Numbers may be inflated in some areas Primary purpose is NOT data collection


Census and Surveys: initiated by the statistical authorities


Administrative Records: initiated by the individual


Data Sources


For data where women and men do not have a benefit or do not see the advantage of reporting the event Household Surveys or Census are better sources


Demographic Surveillance Systems


Longitudinal monitoring of sentinel populations

Can provide detailed information on the sentinel population but not representative of the population


Other Sources


Professional Organizations Business Journalists Lawyers


Data sources compared

Characteristic

Admin Survey Census

Inclusion criterion

All ‘noticed’ events

Designated units

All units

CoverageVariable, depending upon system

% coverage specified

~100% coverage

Gender BiasMay be biased Designed to

minimize biasLack of coverage may lead to some bias


Data sources compared

Characteristic Admin Survey Census

Cost Cheap Medium Expensive

TimeOngoing, + 1-2 years for reporting

3-5 years + 1 year for reporting

10 years + 1 year for reporting

Potential forGender analysis

V good, but limited info, and problem if coverage poor

Good, but only for medium to long term

Good for long term and as input with other data


Messages

Look for all potential Sources

Use the sources at the best for gender analysis understanding

their strengthens and limitations

1 sources of gender statistics angela me unece statistics division

Documents

sample population

sample design

sample of households

selected samplethe sample

compositionbuta good

country population

data collection

data producedpopulation