Building Responsive Investments in Gender Equality using Gender Data System Maturity Models

by
Open Data Watch and Data2X

Data2X and Open Data Watch have developed an assessment tool and accompanying materials to help countries check the maturity of their gender data systems and set priorities for gender data investments. The new Building Responsive Investments in Data for Gender Equality (BRIDGE) tool is designed for use by gender data focal points in national statistical offices (NSOs) of low- and middle- income countries and by their partners within the national statistical system (NSS) to communicate gender data priorities to domestic sources of financing and international donors.

The BRIDGE results will help gender data stakeholders understand the current maturity level of their gender data system, diagnose strengths and weaknesses, and identify priority areas for improvement. They will also serve as an input to any roadmap or action plan developed in collaboration with key stakeholders within the NSS.

Below are links to and explanations of our ‘Gender Data System Maturity Model’ briefs (a long and short version), our BRIDGE assessment and tools methodology, how-to guide, questionnaire, and scoring form that will provide an overall assessment of system maturity and insight into potential action plans to strengthen gender data systems.

A Gender Data System Maturity Model

The gender data system maturity model is made up of five dimensions: 1) governance; 2) financing; 3) technical capacity; 4) data instruments; and 5) stakeholder coordination. Each dimension has four maturity levels: foundational, emerging, intermediate and advanced. Within the maturity model, each level is defined by measurable indicators of gender data outcomes and processes.

The briefs—both long and short versions—summarize the six principles used to guide the development of the gender data system maturity model; the potential applications of the maturity model; and the proposed gender data system maturity model itself.  The briefs, while applicable to all audiences involved in gender data production, use and advocacy, are directed towards actors working at NSOs.

How-To Guide

The gender data system maturity model is the foundation of BRIDGE and was used to develop the BRIDGE methodology, questionnaire, and scoring form. This how-to guide provides a brief explainer of each component of BRIDGE with the aim of helping actors in the NSS identify priorities for improving their gender data funding mechanisms. The How-To Guide is available here.

Building Responsive Investments in Gender Equality (BRIDGE) Assessment

The BRIDGE Assessment is designed to be a self-assessment for stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries to assess the maturity level of their gender data system and identify actions to improve resources for gender data production and use. The assessment results serve as an input to any roadmap or action plan developed in collaboration with key stakeholders within the NSS.

The BRIDGE assessment consists of the methodology, the questionnaire, the scoring form, and radar graph:

  • Methodology: The full methodology describes the assessment and scoring process. Use this document to learn more about how to conduct the assessment, including how to interpret its results. The methodology is available here.
  • Questionnaire: The BRIDGE tool includes a set of questions to assess the maturity of gender data systems, grouped by the five dimensions of the maturity model. For each dimension, there is a set of questions with responses corresponding to maturity levels and optional additional questions to qualify answers. The questionnaire is available here.
  • Scoring Form: Responses to the questionnaire are captured and analyzed in an Excel worksheet that helps respondents understand the current maturity level of their gender data system and identify priority areas for improvement. The scoring form is available here.

Contact

For additional information about the project and for questions about any of the products above, please contact Lorenz Noe and Tawheeda Wahabzada at Open Data Watch.