The Power of Gender-Sensitive Data
One of the biggest obstacles in advancing women’s land rights is the lack of official, gender-disaggregated data. Without it, women’s struggles remain invisible, making it harder to demand policy changes.
That’s why, in the fight for gender justice, data is more than just numbers, it is a powerful tool for advocacy, accountability, and change. Every step is critical, from data collection processes that involve and empower women to the actual content, ensuring the data collected is gender-disaggregated and gender-specific.
By involving women in the design, collection, and utilisation of data, the process becomes more inclusive and reflective of their realities. After collection, data should be used to push for policies that protect and promote women's land rights, thereby becoming a catalyst for policy changes and effective implementation of gender-just land rights laws.
The recent Gender Justice Learning Lab explored the crucial role of gender-sensitive and gender-disaggregated data in advancing Women’s Land Rights. Read on for key challenges, opportunities, and success stories.
Lessons from the Experts
What is Not Counted Does Not Exist – The Latin America Experience
Raquel Reynoso from Plataforma de Mujeres Rurales Derecho a la Tierra shared how they conducted surveys across Latin America to fill data gaps in rural women’s land rights. These efforts underscore the principle that “what is not counted does not exist”- data is essential in making women’s struggles visible and demanding accountability.
Bridging the Gap Between Law and Practice in Malawi
Kate Chibwana, the National Land Coalition (NLC) Malawi Facilitator, emphasized that data is crucial for connecting legislation with its execution. Although gender-sensitive land laws were enacted in 2016, their enforcement is still lacking. To address this, NLC Malawi created a community-focused data collection tool that enhances advocacy and has resulted in significant commitments from the government, such as the appointment of a Gender Focal Point in the Ministry of Lands.
The Cost of Counting: Overcoming Patriarchal Barriers
In Guatemala, Neydi Juracán from Comité Campesino Del Altiplano (CCDA) highlighted the systemic exclusion of Indigenous women due to colonial and hetero-patriarchal structures. With little gender-sensitive data available, their advocacy faced significant obstacles. However, creating gender-sensitive data tools led to a groundbreaking development; a new protocol by Guatemala’s Presidential Commission for Peace and Human Rights, reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting women defenders.
What’s Next? Your Role in Advancing Gender-Justice Data
The insights from the Gender Justice Learning Lab emphasize that data is not just a tool; it is power. We need more initiatives that empower women as data collectors, analysts, and advocates.
Join the movement!
Engage in gender-sensitive data initiatives and advocate for women-led data collection in your community.
Support policies that count women!
Urge governments to invest in official gender-disaggregated land data.
Share this knowledge!
Share this blog with your networks to amplify the conversation on the importance of gender-sensitive data.
Accurate, inclusive data is essential for securing women’s land rights. It’s time to count women and ensure they count!
