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, September 2006 ECE/CES/GE.30/2006/21

Piera Tortora Slide 2Geneva, 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)

Piera Tortora Slide 3Geneva, 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

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

Piera Tortora Slide 5Geneva, September 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

Piera Tortora Slide 6Geneva, September 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)

Piera Tortora Slide 7Geneva, September 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

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

Piera Tortora Slide 9Geneva, September 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

Piera Tortora Slide 10Geneva, September 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

Piera Tortora Slide 11Geneva, September 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