In the modern world, information is often called the new oil, yet for decades, a massive “data gap” has left the specific needs of women and girls largely invisible to policymakers. While hard statistics are the primary currency of government decision-making, gender-disaggregated data—information broken down by sex to reveal the different realities of men and women—is frequently the last area to receive investment. UN Women, through its ambitious “Women Count” program, is working to flip this script. By treating data not just as a collection of numbers but as a catalyst for social justice, the initiative is proving that when we measure the lives of women accurately, we can change them profoundly.
Since its inception in 2016, the Women Count program has seen an investment of over USD 80 million from a coalition of partners including the governments of Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden, alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This funding is based on a simple but revolutionary premise: you cannot fix what you cannot see. By filling institutional gaps and shaping laws in areas ranging from economic empowerment to climate resilience, UN Women is building a sustainable infrastructure for gender equality. The impact of this work is now being felt on the ground in local communities across the globe, where data is being used to break taboos, save lives during disasters, and redefine the roles of parents.
Breaking the Silence in Zanzibar
In the Kaskazini District of Zanzibar, the airwaves are becoming a front line in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Juma Haji Juma, a veteran radio presenter at Tumbatu FM, understands that in a community where cultural norms often keep domestic issues behind closed doors, facts are the most effective tool for change. In 2024, his station began a monthly segment dedicated to the latest statistics on GBV cases reported in the region.
“We share the data because it is so important,” Juma explains. “When news is backed by data, it carries more weight—and encourages people to find the right solutions.” This sentiment is echoed by Amina Mohamed, a presenter at the youth-led Kati Radio. Her station has taken the monthly releases from UN Women and the Zanzibar Office of the Chief Government Statistician and turned them into interactive dialogues. By hosting experts and taking live calls, the station is demystifying a subject that was once spoken of only in whispers.
The results of this transparency are measurable. According to the Zanzibar Police, 1,809 cases of violence were reported in 2024—a staggering 28 percent increase compared to 2020, before the monthly data dissemination began. This spike is not necessarily an indication of rising violence, but rather a sign of rising trust. For listeners like Fatma Haji Silima, the data provided a roadmap to safety. “Before, I didn’t know where to report cases of violence,” she says. “Now, I have the information and confidence to help others in my community do the same.”
Beyond the airwaves, these statistics are fueling Tanzania’s National Plan of Action to End Violence against Women and Children. Policymakers are using the evidence to fund specialized police training, establish gender desks for confidential reporting, and create “one-stop centers” where survivors can access health services, counseling, and legal aid under one roof.
The Lifesaving Power of Citizen Data in Kenya
When the banks of Nairobi’s Mathare River burst on the night of April 23, 2024, the resulting floods were catastrophic. Homes were swept away in the darkness, and the most vulnerable residents were left struggling to survive in the mud. Isabella Nzioki, a Community Health Promoter, was jolted awake by the screams of her neighbors. In the chaos that followed, she did something unexpected: she reached for a notebook.
Just a month earlier, Nzioki had attended a training session organized by UN Women and GROOTS-Kenya focused on “citizen gender data.” She learned that in the wake of a disaster, women often have unique needs—such as access to maternal healthcare or menstrual hygiene products—that are overlooked in general relief efforts. As she moved through the disaster zone, she recorded details for 81 survivors, noting that 64 of them were women.
This granular data became a lifeline. The Kenya Red Cross utilized Nzioki’s list to pinpoint pregnant and lactating women who required urgent nutritional support. It allowed humanitarian agencies to target food assistance, mobile clinics, and water treatment supplies with surgical precision. Eventually, her data helped survivors access government financial assistance. “I was so impressed with how these disaggregated data helped to bridge gaps between survivors and humanitarian agencies,” Nzioki reflects. “They provided a quick and much-needed link.”
Redefining Fatherhood in Georgia
In the Republic of Georgia, data is being used to challenge the “time-use” gap—the disparity between how much time men and women spend on unpaid care work. Between 2021 and 2022, TBC Bank, one of the country’s largest employers, noticed a glaring statistic: not a single male employee had taken paternity leave. This coincided with findings from a national Time-Use Survey supported by UN Women, which highlighted the heavy burden of domestic work placed on Georgian women.
Armed with this evidence, TBC Bank introduced mandatory gender equality training for its staff and began actively promoting its fully paid six-month parental leave policy for fathers. For 34-year-old Avtandil Tsereteli, the training was a revelation. When his son Alexandre was born, Tsereteli chose to step away from his desk and into the role of primary caregiver, allowing his wife to continue her career.
“It was one of the most significant decisions I will ever make,” Tsereteli says. His choice is part of a larger cultural shift. The Civil Service Bureau of Georgia has since worked with UN Women to develop legislative amendments that include non-transferable paternity leave for public sector employees. By institutionalizing the idea that caregiving is a shared responsibility, Georgia is using data to rewrite the social contract for the next generation.
Climate Resilience in the Pacific: The Tonga Example
For the island nation of Tonga, climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality. In 2022, the country conducted a landmark Gender and Environment Survey (GES). The findings were stark: 93 percent of respondents had survived three or more natural disasters in the previous year alone. However, the survey revealed that the impacts were not felt equally. Women were significantly more likely than men to suffer from food insecurity following a disaster and faced higher risks of displacement and loss of livelihood.
The Tonga Statistics Department, with UN Women’s support, ensured these findings didn’t just sit on a shelf. The data directly influenced a review of the Agriculture Sector Plan and led to 2024 budget revisions by the Ministry of Finance. It also triggered a total revision of the National Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Policy.
Anna Jane Lagi, of Tonga’s Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality Division, notes that the data has transformed how the nation prepares for emergencies. “We are seeing what can be triggered during times of emergency, and what the needs are, so we can better coordinate ourselves,” she explains. This coordination now includes joint training for first responders on how to handle the specific needs of women during cyclones and tsunamis. In late 2023, when Tonga’s Minister of Finance presented these findings at COP28, the international community hailed it as a blueprint for gender-responsive environmental action.
The Road Ahead: A Commitment to Change
The success of these diverse initiatives demonstrates that gender data is not merely a technical requirement—it is a moral imperative. As the Women Count program prepares to enter its third phase of implementation in 2026, the focus remains on creating a “radical shift” in how the world views statistics. By moving beyond aggregate numbers and focusing on the lived experiences of individuals, UN Women is ensuring that the most vulnerable are no longer invisible.
For 15 years, UN Women has stood as a global champion for the rights of women and girls. As the organization celebrates this milestone, the message is clear: the work is far from over. In a world facing overlapping crises of conflict, climate change, and economic instability, the need for accurate, gender-sensitive data has never been more urgent. By supporting these efforts, we are not just investing in spreadsheets; we are investing in a future where every woman is counted, and every girl has the power to shape her own destiny. Now is the moment to act, to protect the progress made, and to deliver the transformative change that data makes possible.
