Production of Gender
Statistics in Pakistan
Muhammad Saeed
Census Commissioner
Population Census Organization
Statistics Division
History of Data Collection

The history of collection and availability of population data by
gender in Pakistan dates back to 1881 when the first regular
decennial population censuses was conducted in the South
Asian sub-continent.

There after regular decennial population censuses were
carried out in the year ending at one. After inception of
Pakistan five population censuses have been conducted till
1998.

The demand and use of gender disaggregated data emerged
when its needs was realized for systematic demographic, health,
social and economic assessments.

More specifically the need for statistics by gender classification
has emerged with the global interest on the situation of women
to improve their status and their economic, social and political
contributions.
Requirements for Gender Statistics

All statistics on individuals should be collected, collated and
presented disaggregated by sex.

All variables and characteristics should be presented with
sex as a primary and overall classification.

Specific efforts should be made to identify gender issues and
provide data that address these issues.

Formulation of concepts and definitions used in data
collection that adequately reflect the diversity of women and
men and capture all aspects of their lives.

Development of data collection methods that take into
account stereotypes and social and cultural factors that
might produce gender biases .
Concept of Gender Statistics

Most of the data that appear in publications on gender
statistics are obtained by conventional data collection
methods which, by and large, remain gender blind.

Concept of engendering national statistical systems changes
from conventional approach to gender statistics in two ways:
i.
It is realized that merely disaggregating data by sex is
insufficient and requires thorough review of the data
collection framework and process from gender perspective.
ii.
A systematic and comprehensive approach should be used
to identify gender issues and provide data that genuinely
addresses women’s needs. Priorities must focus on
economic statistics.
Need for Gender Statistics

The need for gender statistics has been realized to facilitate producing,
processing and disseminating gender statistics for formulation and
monitoring of social sector projects with a focus on Women in
Development (WID).
In this regards the government has taken the following initiatives:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Social Action Programme was introduced in 1993 aimed at
accelerating the pace of social development with a focus on
women issues (primary education, health, water supply and
sanitation)
Ninth five year plan (1993-1998) focused on poverty reduction
and gender equality.
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) prepared under
Ministry of Finance to initiate development programmes.
Implementation of the National Plan of Action (NPA) by
Ministry of Women Development.
Sources of Gender Statistics
(A)
•
•
•
•
Regular Censuses/Surveys
Population Censuses conducted in 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and
1998 (PCO).
Pakistan Demographic
annually by FBS.
Survey
(1980-2005)
conducted
Labour Force Survey (1963-2006) Annual (FBS).
Pakistan Social & Living Standards Measurement Survey
(2001-2005) Annual (FBS).
(B) Adhoc Survey / Other Sources
•
•
•
•
•
Demographic & Health Survey/Reproductive Health Family
Planning Survey – NIPS
National Education Management
(Ministry of Education)
Information
System
Health Management information System (Ministry of Health)
Population Welfare Management
(Ministry of Population Welfare).
information
System
Other Organizations like Pakistan Institute of Development
Economic, Population Council, and Provincial Bureaus of
Statistics, Pakistan Medical Research Council, also conduct
case studies/surveys from time to time etc.
Population Census

Population Census is an important and most significant
statistical activity undertaken in the country (stock taking of
human resources).

Through the census huge amount of data on all basic variables
is collected for each person at one quantum time.

Data collected through the census serves as bench mark for all
type of socio-economic development planning and their
evaluation.

Data collected through census are disaggregated by gender/sex
cross-classified by all important variables like population size,
its urban/rural distribution, age groups, marital status,
education, employment/unemployment, migration, disability,
homeless population by different admin. Units.
Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS)
•
It is a national level sample survey conducted on annual basis
by the FBS. The main objectives of the survey are:
i.
To collect statistics of births and deaths in order to arrive at
various measures of fertility and mortality for Pakistan and its
urban and rural areas.
ii.
To estimate current rate of natural increase of population for
iii.
To collect information on other selected characteristics of
population.
iv.
Above 36 thousand households are covered in the survey.
Labour Force Survey (LFS)

The Federal Bureau of Statistics has been conducting Labour Force
Survey (LFS) since 1963 on annual basis. The last survey was held in
2005-06.

A “Penal on Labour Statistics” comprising of all stakeholders
reviews and approves the LFS questionnaire/methodology in keeping
with international standards.

The survey aims to provide data on
(i) age, sex, marital status, literacy, level of education and migration of
the population,
(ii) dimensions of country’s labour force such as employed labour force
classified by occupation & industry, formal & informal sectors,
employment status, hours worked, safety and health information of
the employed persons and characteristics of the unemployed labour
force i.e. age, sex & level of education and pervious experience.
•
All these statistics are published by age and sex.
Pakistan Social and Living Standards
Measurement Survey (PSLM)

The survey is designed to provide social and economic (household
income & expenditure) indicators in the alternate years at district
and provincial levels for evaluation of development programs
initiated under Poverty Reduction strategy Paper (PRSP).

Information is collected from household on a range of social
sectors covered under (PRSP) i.e. Education, Health, Household
Assets/Amenities, Immunization, Pre/Post Natal care of females,
household satisfaction by facilities & services and household
income & expenditure.

The information is presented disaggregated by province, by
region, (urban-rural) and by gender.
Present Status of Gender Disaggregated Data Base
•
The FBS in collaboration with ESCAP & Asian Development Bank developed
gender disaggregated database. Based on this database the following publications
were published.
i. Men & women (Booklet) – 1995
ii. Compendium on gender statistics 1999 and 2004

The Topics/Indicators Covered in Compendium
i. Population size and trends
ii. Demographic indicators (fertility & mortality)
iii. Household and family structure
iv. Health profile
v. Family planning
vi. Education
vii. Labour & employment
viii.Women role in public life

Besides Population Census Organization (PCO) is also planning to develop a
gender disaggregated database being a focal agency for SAARC gender.
Data Gaps

The data from sample surveys are available at the national level
or at the provincial level. There is a need to extend the scope
and coverage of the existing surveys conducted by FBS/NIPS
to provide information at the district level.

Some more information/indicators on population, employment,
education, health, family and households need to be included in
the existing surveys.

Besides, some new surveys need to be conducted on violence
against women, economic role of women, property house
ownership, prevalence of HIV/AIDS, etc.
What the Gender Indicators do?

Gender-sensitive indicators make gender biases more visible and help
measure gender-related changes in society over time. They can therefore
make an important contribution to policy.

When data is disaggregated by sex, it can provide a more accurate
picture of women’s economic contributions to society, and make visible
their unpaid labour in the family and in the informal sector.

In many places, the very concept of work does not include
undocumented work of women, such as small-scale farming, work in the
informal sector, and water and firewood collection.

Thus, economic activity need to be defined to cover unreported and
invisible work of women.
Women Count - But Are Not Counted

Much of the work that women do is 'invisible' in national censuses,
despite its productive and social worth. One reason for this
undercounting is that women’s activities are concentrated in small-scale
agriculture, the informal sector and the home – areas for which data are
deficient.

In addition, women’s work is often unpaid – including that devoted to
carrying water, collecting fuel, processing and cooking food, etc.

The low value attached to women’s work requires a fundamental
remedy: an accurate accounting of its contribution to development and
overall social welfare. This requires much better gender-specific data,
particularly for the informal and agricultural sectors
Engendering Census-2008

The next Population Census to be held in 2008. The following steps have
been taken to collect reliable statistics by gender in the Census.
1.
Gender Cells have been established at PCO Hqs. as well as provincial
offices to sensitize the census functionaries and handling gender issues.
2.
Expert Group on engendering census has been formed to identify data gaps
in the previous censuses and suggest improvement in census questionnaires
and instruction manuals
3.
The services of a resource person will be hired during the training of Master
Trainers and Trainers to highlight the importance of gender equity.
4.
Efforts will be made to recruit females as enumerators to the largest possible
extent.
5.
A two days workshop on engendering census was held on 17-18th April
2007. One day sensitization workshops being at Provincial Capitals include
one session on gender equity.
Appointment of Female Staff

The enumerator is the key person in the census: the quality of data
largely depends on the enumerators. To obtain quality data from the
census, training of the field enumerators must be strong.

Enumerators and supervisors should be trained through vigorous gender
sensitization so that awareness of gender concept and biases are very
clear and precise.

The training should focus on changing the biased preconception of the
enumerators and supervisors.
Thanks !!!