1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division Challenges in measuring gender and minorities Govinda Dahal (presented by E.Bisogno) UNECE Work Session on Gender Statistics, 11-13 September 2006 ECE/CES/GE.30/2006/21

2. Piera Tortora Slide 2Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 Minority status: what is it?  Very complex, country specific  Different dimensions (ethnicity, race, religion, social groups, sexual orientation, disability status, etc.)  A choice is made here: ethno-cultural characteristics (often in relation with immigrant background)

3. Piera Tortora Slide 3Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 The policy issues  Double disadvantage/discrimination of women: as minority members + as women  Gender roles as key issue to hinder or to facilitate integration of minority communities

4. Piera Tortora Slide 4Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 The statistical issues 1. Data gaps 2. Different criteria to identify minority groups 3. Data quality

5. Piera Tortora Slide 5Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 1. Data gaps  Asking about ethnicity or related aspects can be very sensitive.  For example: 2000 Census Round, 40% of ECE countries did not ask about ethnicity. Little availability of MDG indicators by ethnicity  As a consequence, few data available, especially in key areas for gender analysis

6. Piera Tortora Slide 6Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 2. Different definitions  Subjective criteria: ethnic affiliation The ‘best’ approach, if based on self-declaration Based on individual perception, it can change  Objective approach: foreign background Especially valid to identify immigrant communities, including descendants of migrants (based on place of birth and place of birth of parents)

7. Piera Tortora Slide 7Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 3. Data quality  Ethnic group can be a stigma  Statistical problems deriving from small size of ethnic minorities  Administrative data, when available, can have accuracy problems

8. Piera Tortora Slide 8Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 Some recommendations 1. Increase data availability 2. Select the best criteria according to national context 3. Data quality is crucial

9. Piera Tortora Slide 9Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 1. Increase data availability  Mainstream ‘minorities’ in all statistical production, especially in gender relevant areas.  Population census: what are the plans for next round?  Household surveys: are the same questions used across the board?  Administrative sources: very important, especially when an objective approach is used

10. Piera Tortora Slide 10Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 2. Select the best criteria  There is no ‘best’ criteria.  Every country should select the most appropriate according to the context  However, once selected, it should be applied consistently across the board

11. Piera Tortora Slide 11Geneva, 11-13 September 2006 3. Address data quality  Quality is an issue, especially when the subjective approach is selected Confidentiality must be assured and respondents must be aware of it Self declaration must be ensured: open-ended questions are better, multiple options allowed Survey sampling frame to include minority groups Sample size to ensure minority groups, over- sampling may be necessary