KAMPALA, Uganda – The Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), in partnership with UN Women, launched the Gender Statistics Policy Advocacy Training Manuals and Mentorship Programme on Wednesday. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of gender data producers and users along the data value chain, promoting evidence-based policymaking for gender equality.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Kasirye Ibrahim from EPRC said, “As we gather here today, we are reminded that what gets measured gets done. To address persistent gender inequalities in Uganda, we must begin with accurate, timely, and relevant gender statistics that capture the lived realities of women, men, girls, and boys within our society.”
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of gender data, stating, “Data, especially gender data, tells the story behind the headlines. It reveals who is left behind, why they are there, and why they are excluded. Without this evidence, our policies, plans, and programs risk being blind to the unique needs, constraints, and opportunities experienced by different groups in our population.”
He noted that producing gender data is not enough, but rather data must speak and be used to inform action. “This is why, with the support of UN Women, we have taken deliberate steps to strengthen the capacity of gender data users, producers, and advocates along the entire data value chain.”
The launched training manuals provide practical tools and knowledge to enable planners, statisticians, researchers, and policymakers to transform data into actionable insights. Dr. Ibrahim explained that these manuals, tailored to Uganda’s context and drawing on global best practices and local realities, ensure relevancy to specific policy environment.
In addition to the manuals, EPRC also launched a mentorship program on gender statistics. Dr. Ibrahim said that the initiative will create a sustained platform for nurturing a community of practice among gender data users and advocates.
“Mentorship will foster peer learning experiences, experience sharing, and hands-on capacity strengthening, ensuring that gender statistics are not only understood but also effectively applied in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.”
Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, UN Women Country Representative, praised Uganda’s progress in producing SDG indicators with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment. She said, “Uganda has made significant strides in producing SDG indicators with a focus on desegregation and inclusion of gender equality and women empowerment issues. We have increased the number of gender-specific SDG indicators with available data, from 11 in 2018 to 24 in 2020 and 23 in 2023.”
However, Dr. Chiwangu also acknowledged the remaining gaps in the uptake and utilization of these statistics for programming and reporting. She emphasized, “Despite these advancements, gaps remain in the uptake and utilization of these statistics for programming and reporting. To address this, UN Women, in collaboration with EPRC, is supporting a mentorship program to strengthen the capacity of technical focal points for planning, policy, and data management.”
Ms. Hellen Nviri, Director Population and Social Statistics at Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), highlighted the importance of gender statistics in national development.
She said, “The importance of gender statistics in national development cannot be overstated. It is a cornerstone for gender equality and development, and without reliable, comprehensive, and timely gender statistics, it is impossible to design effective policies and programs that address gender disparities.”
Ms. Nviri noted that Uganda has made strides in integrating gender statistics into national planning, thanks to collaborative efforts among UBOS, government ministries, development partners, and civil society organizations. However, she also acknowledged the remaining gaps in the production, accessibility, and application of gender statistics into policy-making.
The Minister of State for Gender, Ms. Peace Mutuuzo, emphasized that gender statistics are not just numbers but stories of women and girls who face barriers in education, health, and economic participation.
She said, “Gender statistics play an indispensable role in informing policies, shaping development programs, and accelerating actions for gender equality… They provide the evidence necessary to assess gender disparities in economic, social, and political spheres and guide decision-makers in crafting interventions that are both effective and inclusive.”
Ms. Mutuuzo commended the initiative, stating that it signifies the Government of Uganda’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions.
“The development of these manuals and the mentorship programme signifies the Government of Uganda’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions that address the specific needs of women and men in our society.”
The launch event brought together representatives from government ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector. Stakeholders committed to working together to ensure that gender statistics inform policies, programs, and budgets that promote gender equality and empower all Ugandans, especially women and girls.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Chiwangu emphasized, “When we measure inequality, we take the first step towards ending it. If we don’t measure, then we are not going to end it. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to this important cause. Together, we can make a difference through using evidence to promote gender equality.”
Ms. Mutuuzo officially launched the Policy Advocacy Training Manual on Embedding Gender Statistics in Decision Making in Uganda, the Facilitators Guide on Embedding Gender Statistics in Decision Making in Uganda, and the Gender Statistics Mentorship Programme.
The launch of these initiatives marks a significant step towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Uganda through data-driven advocacy.
