4 ways gender data are crucial to ending GBV

Ending gender-based violence is going to require a comprehensive approach from multiple stakeholders. GBV is everywhere; it harms individuals, families, communities, economies, and countries.

One of the tools we have in the fight against GBV is data. Data is one of the fundamental pieces in the multi-faceted approach to ending GBV.

What do the data tell us about the current state of GBV? They tell us that GBV exists everywhere and that it has increased in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They tell us that 1 in 3 women globally, around 736 million, experiences GBV in her lifetime. They tell us that this number has remained largely unchanged in the last decade.

The data also tell us that only 1% of gender-focused aid from governments goes to autonomous women’s organizations. The theme of this year’s 16 Days is “Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls” because these organizations play a leading role in ending GBV. Evidence shows that “the presence of a strong and autonomous feminist movement is the single most critical factor to drive policy change in ending violence against women and girls both in transnational contexts and in domestic policy making.”

So, how can we use data to advocate for women's rights and support organizations of all sizes that are working to end GBV?

1. ? ? Effective action starts with understanding the issue you’re trying to solve. High-quality, up-to-date data help us understand how prevalent GBV is, how it shows up in different activities, sectors, and industries, and how it affects individuals and communities in different societies and cultures. GBV is often hidden, taking place behind the closed doors of people’s homes and workplaces, and issues that are hidden are often not addressed. Social taboos may prevent people from reporting GBV when it happens to them or when they observe it happening to others. Shining a light on GBV is the first step to taking action against it, and data give us the information we need to start understanding it.?

2. ? ? Guesses and assumptions about how to tackle GBV are less likely to be effective than evidence-driven action. Data provide critical insights into what has actually worked to address it and what is likely to work going forward. Without data measuring the impact of various approaches to fighting GBV, these approaches likely won't be effective, they'll waste valuable resources, and they might even cause harm. Data can focus interventions on approaches that work and can help uncover important, perhaps previously unrecognized, opportunities to positively influence the social norms and economic conditions that perpetuate GBV.

?3. ? ? Ending GBV requires action from stakeholders who might not even be aware that it’s something they need to address in their work. Despite GBV’s prevalence, many development sectors, such as market systems development and agriculture, traditionally haven’t incorporated GBV considerations into project planning, implementation, and impact measurement. Impact investors are increasingly incorporating gender equality into their investment decisions, but don’t necessarily understand how GBV, specifically, is relevant. Data create a powerful illustration of the importance of taking action against GBV, including the business case, which can encourage non-traditional stakeholders to get involved.

4. ? ? It is essential that local advocacy organizations are able to easily and readily access the data they need to effectively do their work. These organizations may not have the resources to conduct extensive research and analysis themselves, but are drivers of ending GBV. They have deep knowledge of the local context and the cultural and social norms that influence GBV. Their staff live in communities alongside survivors; they may be survivors themselves. Making sure they can easily access data on GBV is one important way to support the essential work they do. Equilo collects, synthesizes, and makes GBV risk data publicly available at no cost through our GBV Risk Score tool, developed with the Criterion Institute and UNICEF. The GBV Risk Score tool provides in-depth data and action planning on possible GBV risks in investments in any country and more than 30 sectors.

Although data are powerful, they aren’t enough on their own. We call on donors, implementers, and investors everywhere to increase their efforts to provide the funding and support these organizations need. Ending GBV can’t wait, and we need the most effective approaches to be fully resourced. When we employ all the tools in our toolbox, we can end GBV and ensure that women and girls everywhere have the opportunity to live and work free from fear of violence.

Listen to Equilo founder and CEO, Jessica Menon, talk about why asset managers should be managing the risk of GBV and how the GBV Risk Score tool can help on the Impact Investing Podcast.