Breaking Down the Census: Feminist Organisations join forces to bring raw data to life and move one step closer to bridging the Gender Data Gap

London, UK – The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and the Women’s Budget Group are joining forces for a full-day event bringing together feminist researchers and women’s grassroots organisations to analyse Census Data.

The morning panel will be moderated by Stella Creasy MP, and will feature best-selling author Caroline Criado-Perez OBE, Jennette Arnold OBE, Social Commentator, activist and former chair and member of the London Assembly, Dr Liz Hind, Local Partnerships and Training Officer at the Women’s Budget Group, and Dr Caitlin Schmid, Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London.

The release of Census 2021 data gives us a once-in-a-decade opportunity to dive into population data, combine statistics with lived experience, and bring raw data to life – moving one step closer to bridging the gender data gap.

Dr Liz Hind, Local Partnerships and Training Officer at the Women’s Budget Group, said:

“We need women to be able to read and analyse data, and talk to each other about what needs to be done to support their lives. Women at the grassroots level have invaluable insights, and they need to have the tools to turn these into evidence based policy ideas so that they can advocate for themselves.

“Data is used in many ways by the media, experts, and politicians to talk about women. The Women’s Budget Group works to ensure that organisations on the front lines of the women’s movement feel confident understanding how data is used to better grasp the impact of policies on them and the women they represent, and support their campaigns for change.”

Dr Caitlin Schmid, Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, said:

“Gender inequality remains a persistent problem in the UK, affecting multiple dimensions of women’s and men’s lives. Unfortunately, too often gender differences are not meaningfully factored into policymaking. The availability of gender-disaggregated and intersectional data is a crucial step in exposing patterns of inequality and building an evidence base for change.

“The availability of the Census 2021 provides a once in a decade opportunity to explore gender and intersectional inequalities across England and Wales. The Census is for and about us. It is critical therefore that civil society and equality advocates can make use of this valuable resource to explore and make visible previously underexplored differences. Such analyses help strengthen accountability and support for gender-sensitive planning, budgeting, and service provision toward a more equitable future for all.”

Notes to Editor

• The event will take place on the 23rd of May 2023, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at King’s College London. It will kick off with a panel discussion, followed by training and analysis on using the census data and producing new findings which will be presented in a follow up report.
• Attendees are from a range of organisations and walks of life, including the Breastfeeding Network, Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, British Black Anti Poverty Network, and several local councillors.
• Please contact Viktoria Szczypior at press@wbg.org.uk if you wish to attend and / or receive the output.

About the Women’s Budget Group

The Women’s Budget Group is a feminist think tank that provides evidence on women’s economic position, proposes policy alternatives for a gender-equal economy, and uses our knowledge and skills to build capacity for others to do the same.

Established over 30 years ago, we act as a link between academia, the women’s voluntary sector and progressive economic think tanks.

About the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership

The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership works towards a world in which women of all backgrounds have fair and equal access to leadership. 

Chaired by Julia Gillard, the only woman to have served as Prime Minister of Australia, the institute brings together rigorous research, practice and advocacy to break down the barriers to women becoming leaders, while challenging ideas of what leadership looks like.