Gender Statistics and Analysis – Data Disaggregation by Sex

eS4W is working for improved access to gender data and analysis for the purposes of policy development and monitoring.

eS4W wants

statistical data that is disaggregated by sex to be publically accessible as a matter of course; in all relevant data domains and collections and by all relevant agencies;

to influence improvements in the availability (affordability and public accessibility) of statistical data required for gender analysis; and

to encourage better gender analysis presented in standard output which is disaggregated by sex for automatic use in ‘Equity’ Reports and adopted as part of ‘equity’ targets such as in COAG, Closing the Gap, etc monitoring and reporting.

What are gender statistics?

Technical information: Indicators, Domains, Sub-domains (key series and related series) and Population Groups

Characteristics of a good indicator

In selecting the suite of gender indicators developed in collaboration with the Gender Statistics Advisory Group, ABS made an overall assessment of whether each indicator was fit for purpose. The conceptual and methodological criteria used to assess and select the indicators are as follows:

The indicator:

has a clearly defined concept and source of measurement

is of sufficient quality overall, i.e. not subject to significant measurement or data quality issues

is sufficiently coherent (able to be compared with other sources, and to itself over time, to enable data compilation and comparison)

is sensitive to changes in the underlying phenomena captured by the indicator

is able to display movements over time that unambiguously signal progress or regress

is able to measure trends over time, whether short, medium-term, or long-term changes

is relevant to measuring policy outcomes and responsive to changes in policy

is consistent with or comparable to internationally agreed measures.

is an outcome measure (such as a measure of health) rather than a measure of the inputs or processes (such as the number of doctors or hospitals) used to produce an outcome.

The selected indicators have been grouped under six domains: Economic security; Education; Health and wellbeing; Work and family balance; Safety and justice; and Democracy, governance and citizenship. Each Domain is supported by a number of Sub Domains eg for the Economic Security Domain there are ten Sub Domains: Working Population (Labour Force; Employment Conditions; Underutilised Labour; and Not in the Labour Force); Earnings, Income & Economic situation (Earnings; Economic Resources; Main source of Income at Retirement; superannuation; and Financial Stress); Housing (Housing Situation).

The resultant product can be found at: Gender Indicators, Australia. The seventh release of the product was issues on 25 February 2014 and included a Podcast interview with Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Brodrock. This generated a good level of media interest, and the product consistently receives positive feedback from a broad cross section of Australia.

The addition ABS has now produced a Snapshot page providing a detailed overview of the key indicators cross the six domains which has evolved into another avenue to promote the product.
ABS recently redesigned this page from which domain-specific hand-outs can now be produced in .pdf formats

What eS4W is doing

eS4W is a member of and represented on the ABS Gender Statistics Advisory Group to consult and advocate for expansion of gender statistics and analysis in relevant statistical domains and for designated disadvantaged population groups. The major contribution to date has been the development and ongoing updating and expansion of the ABS Gender Indicators product.

We also advocate for statistical data that is disaggregated by sex to be publically accessible as a matter of course; in all relevant data domains and collections and by all relevant agencies

Gender Indicators

Gender Indicators, Australia presents a summary of gender specific data in six domains representing Economic security, Education, Health, Work and family balance, Safety and justice, and Democracy, governance and citizenship. Gender Indicators, Australia has been developed to provide a central access point for gender specific data to explore differences in the situation for women and men in Australia, and also to provide a broad basis for social analysis and research in the field of gender. More information on gender indicators

Health

ABS Gender Indicators

Economic security

ABS Gender Indicators

SME Business Activity

Workplace Gender Equality Indicators

The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyse and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the safety of chemicals.

Report to eS4W on attendance at a roundtable discussion Gender equality statistics and data relating to unpaid caring work and the post-2015 development framework

ILO

The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

UN Statistical Division

The Statistics Division is committed to the advancement of the global statistical system. We compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. We facilitate the coordination of international statistical activities and support the functioning of the United Nations Statistical Commission as the apex entity of the global statistical system.

Education

ABS Gender Indicators

NCVER

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is a not-for-profit company owned by state, territory and federal ministers responsible for training.

Department of Education

The Australian Government Department of Education is responsible for national policies and programmes that help Australians access quality and affordable childcare; early childhood education, school education, post-school, higher education, international education and academic research.

Democracy, governance and citizenship

ABS Gender Indicator

WGEA Women in leadership census

Between 2002 and 2012, the Australian Census of Women in Leadership was the pre-eminent body of research tracking the representation of women in board and senior executive positions in ASX-listed companies. In 2012, for the first time, the Census extended the analysis from ASX 200 companies to ASX 500 companies, providing a more complete picture of women in leadership.