Gender Statistics and Data: From Evidence to Policy Insights – National Conference

The nationally organized “Gender Statistics and Data: From Evidence to Policy Insights” conference highlighted the need for accurate and reliable data to strengthen gender equality, with MOSPI and UN Women emphasizing this requirement. Central and state-level statistical officers, planning managers, academic researchers, representatives of women’s rights organizations, and international development experts participated in the event. The main sessions of the conference reviewed existing indicators for measuring gender gaps, addressed technical challenges in data collection, and discussed measures to provide timely information through digital platforms. Specifically, practical suggestions were presented on using the latest survey methods and big‑data analytics to enhance the reliability of data related to women’s education, health, economic participation, and safety in rural and urban areas.

In recent years, India has implemented several schemes to achieve gender‑equality goals, but the effectiveness of these initiatives has often been limited by insufficient or inconsistent data. In this context, the conference reiterated the need for data‑driven policy making and mentioned plans to update MOSPI’s “Gender Index” and to make regular reporting of gender statistics mandatory at the state level. UN Women, aligning with international standards, proposed collaborative approaches to increase the transparency and public accessibility of gender statistics in India. The participating parties agreed that evidence‑based policy making will not only reduce gender disparities but also accelerate social and economic development.

In the closing session, proposals were made to establish a national portal for data sharing, set a future research agenda, and form a working group to strengthen coordination among various ministries. This initiative will provide India with a solid foundation for data‑driven decision making toward the goal of gender equality.