1. ENGENDERING POPULATION CENSUS
GLOBAL FORUM ON GENDER, DECEMBER, 2007
ROME, ITALY
“ Census is the Image of the Present and the Future ”
ENGENDERING POPULATION CENSUS
THE JORDANIAN EXPERIENCE
THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN
 DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS (DoS)

2. Jordan Population in Figures
Area : Km²
Population: Over 5.6 millions
Annual growth Rate: 2.3% (2006).
Sex Ratio (Male/Female)
106.4 (2006).
Population under 15 years old: 37% (2006)
Fertility Rate: 3.2 (2005).
Female Economic Activity Rate: 11.9 % (2006).
Male Economic Activity Rate: 63.1 % (2006).

3. Department of Statistic's (DoS) Procedures to Avoid Gender Bias in the Population Census
The Preparatory Stage of the Census
Census Contents
Census Operations

4. The Preparatory Stage of the Census
Census Contents
The Preparatory Stage of the Census
To provide Sex disaggregated data on several topics
Information on sex was recorded in the questionnaire of the census
Providing clear instructions, definitions and classifications to enumerators, such as:
Who is to be treated as the head of the household ?
Who is the economically active person ?
To minimize the influence of sex-based stereotypes that respondents and enumerators may hold

5. The Preparatory Stage of the Census
Census Operations
In the field as interviewers and supervisors.
Both men and women were represented
In the census administration (A woman was appointed as the technical assistant to the executive director of the census)

6. The Preparatory Stage of the Census
Publicity Campaign
All target audiences, both men and women as well as boys and girls were represented in the logo
Logo
Posters
Pictures included in the posters identify citizens by Sex and:
  Age groups
Employment type
   Professional groups
   Population in rural areas.
   Disabled persons.

7. Data Dissemination Stage
Gender Specific Census Output
The Analytical Gender Paper
“Population Census Results from Gender Perspective, 2004”
It covers demographic and socio-economic characteristics for the Jordanian Population at the national level.
This paper has to a large extent fulfilled the existing gender data gaps in the country.
Examining quality level of the 2004 census data was done by comparing the results from the previous census (1994) and use that information to monitor the demographic and socio-economic variations occurred on women and men during the period separating the two census.

8. Headship Rates by Sex of the Head of Household and the Source of Data
Sex of the Head of the Household
Source of Data
Women
Men
12.0
88.0
Employment & Unemployment Survey, 2004 (one round)
10.5
89.5
Population Census, 2004
11.5
88.5
Employment & Unemployment Survey, 2005
(Annual Report)

9. Economic Activity Rate
Refined Economic Activity and Unemployment Rates for Jordanians by Sex and Source of Data
Unemployment Rate
Economic Activity Rate
Source of Data
Total
Women
Men
12.5
16.5
11.8
37.4
10.4
63.7
Employment & Unemployment Survey, 2004 (Round)
25.2
47.3
19.2
44.0
19.0
68.6
Population Census, 2004
14.8
25.9
12.8
38.3
11.7
64.4
Employment & Unemployment Survey, 2005

11. Source of Data (Population Census, 2004) Economic Activity Rate
Economic Activity and Unemployment Rates for Jordanians by Sex and Source of Data for the Rift Valley Area and the Kingdom
Source of Data (Population Census, 2004)
Area
Unemployment Rate
Economic Activity Rate
Total
Women
Men
29.0
61.0
22.0
48.0
19.0
74.0
Rift Valley
25.2
47.3
19.2
44.0
68.6
Kingdom

12. Challenges in Engendering 2004 Jordanian Population Census
The Preparatory Stage of the Census
Large number of temporary personnel (men and women) were deputized (8787 persons) to work as enumerators, controllers and supervisors. Women represented only 35%.
The reasons behind that are as follows:
Social restrictions based on the negative perception of involvement of women in some sectors (field work).
Turnover was high among the deputized (3075) women because they were office employees, as a result they were reluctant to work in the field.

13. Missed Opportunities
Women’s groups were not part of the consultation process, nor were represented in any committee formed with the user's community.
Data at governorate level and other administrative levels was not published nor analyzed in gender specific census output (the Analytical Gender Paper). As a result the chance for highlighting the dimension of regional disparities in the empowerment of women in Jordan was lost.

14. Missed Opportunities…cont
Jordan has suffered from the reciprocal streams of internal and international migration, causing significant disparities in age structure, growth, geographic distribution and social and economic characteristics.
Even so, no information were published on the distribution of non-Jordanians by gender such as: reasons for residence, type of occupation, etc.
No tangible efforts have been made to review and assess the adequacy of statistics for understanding the diversity of both non-Jordanian women's and men's socio-economic characteristics.

15. Next Steps
Establishment of the Gender Unit at DOS is a sign that Gender issues are included in the Agenda.
Establishing gender-oriented technical committees and expert groups in addition to the Gender Unit will provide input for 2014 population census, specifically in dealing with gender concerns at all various stages: questionnaire, media, project management, occupation and industrial classifications…