Measuring power and decision-making from a gender perspective

Session outline 1.Demands for data 2.Three main indicators 3.Data sources 4.Female legislators, senior officials and managers 5.Women’s share of national parliament 6.Practical activity: making the case for change

Women in power and decision- making Increasing women’s representation in powerful and decision-making positions a critical area of concern (Beijing Platform of Action (1995))

Three main indicators 1.Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total) 2.Women’s share of members of national parliament (%) 3.Women’s share of senior level civil servants (%) Core ministers Heads of universities Board members Judges Police officers

Data sources IndicatorData source Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total) Labour force surveys Population and housing censuses Any survey that collects occupation Women’s share of members of national parliament (%) National parliament records Women’s share of senior level civil servants (%) National civil service authority Labour Force Surveys Population censuses Any survey that collects occupation

Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total) Based on occupation International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) Major Group version: Legislators, senior officials and managers 2008: Managers

Source: ILO (2015), Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum, Global Report. ILO: Geneva.

How to interpret and use this indicator Wide variation across countries and regions the majority in three countries (Jamaica: 59.3%; Colombia: 53.1%; and Saint Lucia: 52.3%) a miniscule share in countries like Pakistan (3.0%), Algeria (4.9%), Jordan (5.1%), and Bangladesh (5.4%) Examine changes over time Look at different forms of management Policy interventions affirmative action to attract and retain women in senior positions leadership training for women identifying role models and champions to encourage women to enter management

Women’s share of members of national parliament (%) Single or lower house of national parliament % of occupied seats Update after elections, bi-elections, other changes to parliament

How to interpret and use this indicator Presence in parliament does not guarantee influence Cabinet / core ministers Role on parliamentary commitees Existence of quotas (temporary special measures) Reserved seats for women Percentage of candidates Consider sub-national and local government Voter registration and turnout

Practical activity: Making the case for change Task Based on the data provided in the handouts, identify statistics you can use to argue the case for a policy to increase women’s representation in powerful positions (you have 30 minutes). Prepare a brief (2-3 minute) presentation on flip chart paper to make your case.