1. MOTIVATION, OBJECTIVES, AND STRUCTURE OF THE AGDI
AFRICAN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT INDEX PHASE 4 (AGDI 4) METHODOLOGICAL WORKSHOP ADDIS ABABA: 7-8 JUNE 2016
MOTIVATION, OBJECTIVES, AND STRUCTURE OF THE AGDI
NGONE DIOP, SENIOR GENDER ADVISOR

2. Why the AGDI? Rationale for developing the index
Measuring progress on gender equality . Why?
“If you don’t measure it you cannot count it and if you cannot count it you will not act on it”
ECA developed the AGDI in 2004 for the following reasons:
Support African countries to implement their global and regional gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments i.e. CEDAW, Dakar and Beijing Platform for Action, Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women; Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights; etc.
Help countries to measure their progress in implementing their regional and global gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.
Provide member States with a comprehensive Africa-specific index that takes into account the socio-cultural, economic and political context of the continent. A tool that measures women’s wellbeing beyond GDP.

3. Why the AGDI? Rationale for developing the index
Support institutionalisation of gender statistics and the systematic use of the latter for change.
Provide MS with a comprehensive tool that is a gender responsive planning, implementation and M&E index
Strengthen member States’ policy and planning focus and coherence in addressing gender inequality.
In sum, the objective that underpinned the development of the AGDI was to support Africa’s path and pace towards an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development to which women contribute and benefit on equal footing as men.

4. Theoretical and Conceptual framework for the AGDI
Armatysa Sen ‘s Capability framework used to shape the theory that underpins AGDI and to analyze gender equality and women’s empowerment in a holistic manner bringing the social/cultural, economic and political dimension of development. Attention to critical dimensions such as agency and voice
= process of empowerment and self-reliance
Women’s wellbeing and gender equality conceptualized beyond economic parameters (beyond GDP) - based on the standpoint that high economic growth and income do not guarantee high gender equality (many evidences that support such diagnostic)

5. Structure/ Composition of the AGDI
Comprehensive structure, combination of a quantitative and qualitative component that are mutually reinforcing
Quantitative component i.e. the Gender Status Index (GSI),
Qualitative component i.e. the African Women Progress Scoreboard (AWPS).
The GSI measures gender equality gaps by assessing whether men and women have the same opportunities to earn income, an access to and control over resources and opportunities to obtain education and live healthy lives.

6. Structure/ Composition of the AGDI (cont’d)
The AWPS captures qualitative issues in relation to the performance of the gender policies of African countries and progress in implementing regional and international commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

7. Uniqueness/value addition of the AGDI
The uniqueness of the AGDI can be attributed to at least 5 criteria:
First , it takes account of Africa’s social, cultural, economic and political landscape; and is driven by African governments: country’s strong ownership.
Second, it is specific to Africa because it measures progress not only on the implementation of international conventions and resolutions but also on African resolutions, Protocol, and other frameworks al this using country nationally collected data.

8. Uniqueness/value addition of the AGDI (cont’d)
Third, it combines quantitative and qualitative measures of gender inequality and provide entry points for greater improvements and transformational change.
Cross dimensional feature; easy cross analysis , comprehensive understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment ;
Holistic diagnostic and assessment of country performance; synergy between social and economic determinants of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Fourth, it measures progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment beyond GDP, economic outcomes to encompass social, cultural and political dimensions.

9. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION