Workshop on Improving Gender Statistics in Rwanda
Session 7
Dissemination and Communication
of Gender Statistics
Serena Lake Kivu Hotel, Rubavu District
March 25-27, 2014
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Learning Objectives
At the completion of the module, participants should understand:

What should be considered in developing dissemination and communication
strategies and plans

How to engage effectively with data users in the community

What are the main types of products used to disseminate gender statistics

Which types of promotional communications activities can support data
dissemination

How to ensure media releases are effective

How to apply the lessons to the Rwanda context
Primary references:
UNECE and WBI 2010, Developing Gender Statistics: A Practical Tool, Chapter 5
UNSD 2013, Integrating a Gender Perspective in Statistics, Chapter 4
World Bank Gender Data Portal Training Materials Communication and Dissemination
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Dissemination of gender statistics
•
Effective dissemination is critically important to ensure that:
available gender statistics are fully utilised, and they
continue to be produced and improved in the long term.
•
This involves getting the information to those who need it, in
the form that they need it, and when they need it.
•
Both data and metadata should be disseminated and
disseminated on schedule.
•
The gender statistics’ dissemination schedule should be
incorporated into the statistical agency’s published calendar
of forthcoming releases.
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Different methods of dissemination
•
Various methods of dissemination are used to deliver gender
statistics and related information to users.
•
A multi-faceted dissemination strategy with a variety of
products is generally necessary to meet the needs of
different user groups.
•
It is important to identify the core groups within the user
community and to engage effectively with them
– To better understand and respond to their needs for gender statistics
– To better design and plan dissemination and communication
campaigns
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Typical target groups for gender statistics
• Government bodies promoting equal opportunities
• Other government bodies (e.g., ministries of labour,
education etc.)
• Women’s organisations
• Research institutions (e.g., focusing on gender-related issues)
• Libraries and information centres
• Gender-oriented social institutions (e.g. women’s support
centres)
• Media
• International organisations
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Examples of mechanisms to engage with core users
• User advisory groups
– Can debate gender statistics work plans and priorities from different user
perspectives.
– May focus solely on gender statistics or have wider advisory responsibilities.
– May be set up for a defined temporary task or have an ongoing role.
• User satisfaction surveys
– Consider views of individual organisations in depth.
– Can employ a combination of survey methods, e.g. interview methods for
major users and mail-back questionnaires for other users.
• Workshops or seminars
– Convened to discuss directions and priorities in gender statistics, including
data gaps.
– Can be used also to develop partnerships and coordinate plans across
organisations.
• Focus group discussions
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Group Exercise 7.1
1. Which are the typical target groups for gender statistics
dissemination in Rwanda? Are there other groups that
should be targeted?
2. Which mechanisms would work better in Rwanda for
engaging the different target groups for gender statistics
dissemination? What resources would be needed to
establish and maintain these mechanisms?
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Disseminating gender statistics: Types of products used
1)
Statistical publications presenting results of specific data
collections (censuses, surveys, specialized surveys, etc.)
2)
Microdata files related to specific data collections
3)
Analytical reports or articles
4)
Statistical publications focused on gender issues
5)
On-line databases
6)
Dedicated gender statistics portals on web sites
7)
Brochures with gender statistics on particular topics
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1) Statistical publications that present results of specific data collections
• These dissemination products are part of the regular production of a
statistical office. They may be in printed or electronic format.
• They usually report on one type of data source (e.g., a census, survey or
administrative data collection) or a particular statistical topic (e.g.,
labour statistics).
• Data can be detailed, organised in large tables, and presented often as
absolute values to give users more flexibility in doing their own analysis.
• A gender perspective can be integrated into these products by
systematic sex-disaggregation of data and systematic coverage of data
needed to address gender issues.
• Gender issues may be a primary focus of some specific data collections,
such as time use surveys and domestic violence surveys.
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2) Microdata files
• Specialised dissemination products related to specific data collections.
They typically contain very detailed data in unidentifiable unit record
form (case by variable format).
• Intended for specialised researchers who want the full dataset with
maximum flexibility for analysis.
• When the microdata are made available and a gender perspective has
been integrated into their collection, these files can be a rich source of
data for analysis of gender issues.
• To protect confidentiality, there may be restrictions on these files, which
affect particular types of detail, access and/or use.
• Any examples from Rwanda?
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3) Analytical reports and articles
• Disseminate data and analysis findings on specific topics, generally
intended for a wide audience.
• Typically present data in small summary tables and charts and discuss
them in accompanying text.
– Large tables with more detailed data may be provided in annexes.
• May cover data from more than one source and from different statistical
fields.
• Usually take into account policy concerns.
• May integrate a gender perspective through:
– data-based analysis of gender issues related to each topic;
– illustrations with gender-sensitive tables and charts; and
– systematic sex-disaggregation of data presented in annexes of the publication.
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4) Statistical publications focused on gender issues
• These are a particular type of analytical report:
– Addressed to a wide audience, and
– Presenting statistical data along with data analysis and interpretation.
– A typical example is the ‘Women and Men’ publications produced by many
statistical offices
• An important tool for gender specialists, gender advocates and policy makers.
• They usually contain data on various statistical topics and from different
sources, and cover multiple policy areas and gender issues.
• Some focus on only one sector or area:
– NISR’s xxxxxx
• May be produced once (ad hoc) or on a regular basis.
– Ad hoc: Vietnam’s ad hoc Gender Statistics in Vietnam, 2011
– Every 6 months: Australia’s Gender Indicators
– Annually: Rwanda’s National Gender Statistics Report (2012, 2013)
– Every 5 years: UNSD’s The World’s Women, Trends and Statistics
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An Australian example: a regular gender statistics electronic publication
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4125.0
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UNSD’s The World’s Women: Trends and Statistics
•
Published every 5 years since 1990.
•
Covers a comprehensive range of
gender issues and assesses progress.
•
Compiles data from many sources
and agencies
•
Differences between the status of
women and men in 8 key areas of
contemporary life are highlighted.
•
Statistics on men figure as
prominently as statistics on women.
•
Provides a model for similar
statistical profiles for countries,
regions, etc.
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products
/Worldswomen/WW2010pub.htm
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5) On-line databases
• This type of dissemination product includes
– dedicated gender databases as well as
– more comprehensive databases (e.g. those focused on a wider
range of social or development indicators).
• Usually targeted towards users interested in undertaking
their own analysis and monitoring of developments.
• Data disseminated in this form usually cover several areas
of concern and several points in time or time periods.
• Data are usually presented in tables and often shown as
indicators.
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5) On-line databases (continued)
• Getting the data in tables allows a large number of users to have broad
access to a wide variety of data.
– Users can browse the tables and choose those statistics of most interest
to them.
• Some statistical organisations also provide users with the ability to
customise their own tables using self-help web-based table-builder
products.
– The starting point for customised output is often aggregate data at the
finest level of detail possible from the microdata file.
– Users are then provided with options on how to build their own tables
based on themes or variables of interest.
– An example is the OECD.Stat web browser which provides a single online platform for access to statistical data in OECD databases.
• Is there any online database available for Rwanda?
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UNSD gender statistics website
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/indwm/
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6) Gender statistics portals on web sites
• Portals (or web pages) are central access points to gender statistics and
related information on the web sites of national statistical offices and
other agencies.
• A clearly visible, well-structured and well-maintained portal provides a
quick and easy way for users to find what they want from a wide selection
of material.
• A portal can provide direct links to relevant publications , statistical
databases, and information on matters such as:
– latest developments
– availability of gender statistics
– key data sources
– data limitations
– concepts, classifications, methods and standards
• A portal can also be an important tool for mainstreaming gender in
statistical activity by helping to keep it visible for users
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World Bank gender data portal
http://datatopics.worldbank.org/gender/
Australia’s Topics@ a Glance - Gender Page
http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/c311215.nsf/web/Gender
Group Exercise 7.2
1.
Based on the NISR products that contain sex-disaggregated or genderrelevant data (Handout 2.2), or the National Gender Statistics Report to:
– Select one product (census, household survey, specialized survey, other) to
disseminate the data and indicators on gender it may contain. What type of
publication or dissemination product or different products would you use and
why?
2. In your view, what would be the best way to disseminate the sexdisaggregated or gender-relevant statistics already available in Rwanda?
What steps would you take to produce the dissemination products and
disseminate the statistics?
3. Do you think it would be a good idea to create a gender data portal for
Rwanda? Why or why not? What would it take to develop and maintain it?
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Communication with users of gender statistics
• Communication and dissemination are closely related and
intertwined subjects.
– Communication: focus is on building relationships with users and
encouraging use of gender statistics
– Dissemination: focus is on various forms of data provision
• Communication with users throughout the statistical production
process ensures planned outputs and associated dissemination
arrangements meet user needs.
– For example, user needs should be reflected in the content and timeliness
of the product, ease of access to it, availability of associated metadata,
and regularity of updates.
• As a product approaches its planned release date, outreach and
marketing activities let users know about it and promote its
value to them.
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A communications plan for gender statistics
• An effective communications or marketing plan can get out
the message to core target groups in a well-coordinated and
timely manner.
• Key elements of such a plan include:
–
–
–
–
–
Identifying the core target groups
Developing the message to be conveyed to each group
Assigning responsibilities for communications with each target group
Developing media contacts
Analysing feedback from each group
• It also can be useful to develop and maintain mailing lists or
contact lists of those persons interested in gender-related
statistics
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Examples of communication activities
Prior to release of a gender statistics product
• List the product in published advices showing forthcoming products and
their release dates;
• Contact key users and relevant advisory groups directly to ensure they
are aware of the product’s release date and topic coverage.
Day of release
• Issue a media release about the product and its key statistical messages;
• Hold an event to formally launch the product using a high profile speaker.
Period after release
• Conduct seminars or information sessions for users to explain and
discuss the main findings;
• Present sessions based on the product at policy forums and conferences;
• Provide brochures and other exhibits promoting the product at relevant
venues.
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5. Some tips on effective media releases
• General rule
– Consider the audience: who are you trying to reach, and how best to reach them?
• Headline
– Needs to be concise, precise and catchy: a hook to stimulate interest in the story
– No more than one line
• Content
–
–
–
–
–
Crucial to get the main story across in the first paragraph
Story needs to be clear, informative and easy to understand
Highlight what is new
Avoid complicating the story with too many figures, jargon, technical language
Answer questions such as where, when, what, why, and how, which can be helpful in
determining content
– Keep to one side of one A4 page if possible
• Contact details
– Place contact details of organisation spokesperson at the end of the release
– The spokesperson needs to be well prepared and fluent
– Media may want to contact the organisation for reasons such as: an interview; to delve
deeper into an issue; for background or supporting information; for examples that
humanise important issues, etc. Be ready with the information they may need!
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Exercises
1. Users are seeking easy access to the latest available
gender statistics on a range of topics. How would you
respond to their needs?
2. How would you develop a dissemination and
communication plan for a new gender statistics product?
3. The latest findings from a periodic study of domestic
violence are ready for publication. Prepare a mock-up of
a media release indicating the type of content you would
expect to provide.
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