Political Will For Gender Data In Sub-Saharan Africa

Gender equality is not just a matter of individual attitudes and behaviors; it requires a fundamental shift in policies, laws, budgets, and planning to create a conducive environment for all genders to thrive. This transformational change can only be achieved when different stakeholders within and outside the government are willing to implement and sustain policies that
recognize and respond to the experiences of all genders.

The willingness and commitment of governments to take action on issues, goals, and policies is what we refer to as “Political will.” It is the driving force behind the initiation and execution of decisions. The Local Development Research Institute conducted a qualitative study in
20 Sub-Saharan African countries to map the political will for gender data.

The primary goal of this study was to gather valuable insights that will benefit various stakeholders within the data ecosystem and enhance the collection and utilization of gender data and commitments to Gender data by governments. Specifically, we aim to engage key
actors such as the National Statistics Office, government agencies, civil society organizations, and donor institutions. Our report seeks to identify opportunities to improve the enabling environment for the collection, use, and dissemination of gender data initiatives and foster
collaborative efforts that are tailored to address the specific needs and challenges at hand.