New gender statistics program to drive policy making

KAMPALA - A new gender statistics programme on policy advocacy training manuals and a mentorship initiative has been introduced to enhance data-driven policymaking and promote gender-responsive policies.

The initiative aims to bridge gaps in gender data collection, ensuring that policymakers and stakeholders have accurate information to address gender disparities effectively.

The mentorship programme was launched by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) together with United Nations Women on March 5, 2025, at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Kampala city.

As part of efforts to increase the policy use of gender statistics, EPRC developed training manuals and a mentorship programme that will last six months, to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in gender statistics and policy advocacy.

Apparently, the training manuals are comprehensive tools designed to equip stakeholders with practical knowledge and skills to integrate gender statistics and aid with policy processes.

These manuals are tailored to Uganda’s context and drawing on global best practices and realities ensure relevancy to our specific policy environment.

Whereas, the mentorship programme for gender statistics is an initiative, which will create a sustained platform for nurturing a community of practice among gender data users.

According to Ibrahim Kasirye, the director of research at EPRC, mentorship will foster peer learning, experience sharing and hands-on capacity strengthening ensuring that gender statistics are not only understood but also effectively applied in implementation and evaluation.

Minister Peace Mutuuzo speaking at the launch of the gender statistics manual and mentorship programme. (Courtesy photo)

Kasirye highlighted the importance of the new gender statistics program in advancing data-driven decision-making.

“This gives us a chance to reflect on our progress on integrating gender statistics into planning and decision-making while laying a foundation for greater use of data-driven advocacy in the future,” he said.

He acknowledged UN Women’s unwavering support and also recognised the contributions of the gender ministry and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in strengthening the country’s gender statistics system.

“We are reminded of the fundamental truth that what gets measured, gets done. If we are to address the persistent gender inequalities in Uganda, we must begin with accurate, timely, and relevant gender statistics that capture the realities of women, men, girls, and boys in our society,” Kasirye emphasized.

He urged everyone to actively promote gender statistics within their institutions.
UN Women country representative, Dr Paulina Chiwangu, highlighted the power of data in transforming societies, stressing that gender statistics should go beyond just numbers and serve as catalysts for change in shaping policies and programs.

“As we embark on this journey, let us remember data is power, and knowledge is transformative,” she noted.

She emphasized that the gender statistics program signals the beginning of a shift towards evidence-based policymaking that benefits everyone.

“Together, we can ensure that gender statistics are not just an afterthought but a cornerstone of decision-making,” she stated.

Chiwangu commended Uganda’s progress in producing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) status reports, particularly its focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment in data collection.

Chiwangu further emphasized that this initiative will help build a strong and sustainable network of gender statistics experts and advocates across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“These two training manuals have been developed to be key resources for gender statistics in decision-making for gender equality in Uganda,” Chiwangu said.

UN Women Country Representative Dr Paulina Chiwangu speaking at the launch of the gender statistics training manuals and mentorship programme. (Courtesy photo)

Minister’s comment

Speaking at the launch, gender state minister Peace Mutuuzo highlighted the persistent challenges in accessing updated statistics and the need for evidence-based policymaking.

"Today, I was looking around for the updated information on female-headed households, and it took me over 40 minutes. I could not still get it," she said, pointing out the difficulties policymakers face in obtaining timely gender statistics.

Mutuuzo noted that despite Uganda’s commitments under National Development Plan Three and international frameworks such as the SDGs, many policies remain gender-blind due to a lack of properly analyzed data.

She stressed that data is essential for designing gender-responsive policies and allocating resources equitably.

"Without statistics, we are unable to see the hidden inequalities that persist in our societies," she said, adding that gender-segregated data enables policymakers to make informed interventions.

The minister also criticised outdated legal frameworks that disadvantage women, particularly in property inheritance and economic empowerment programmes.
Mutuuzo, therefore, described the initiative as a “landmark event” in Uganda’s journey toward gender equality, especially as the country prepares for International Women’s Day 2025.

She further called for a review of policies that do not adequately address gender disparities, emphasizing that data should be at the core of every decision-making process.

“The only equalizer we have, without struggling so much, would be data that will speak,” she stated.

The mentorship programme, she added, will create a network of gender statistics champions who will support institutions in applying data-driven approaches to gender equality efforts.

Recent reports highlight that inadequate data can significantly impair policy and decision-making. Such instances underscore the critical need for accurate and comprehensive data to inform policy.