Align inclusive data with strategic priorities and create platforms to facilitate learning
Clarifying what inclusive data means within our organizational context and building a shared understanding of this is a vital and ongoing process. Through our program and thematic strategies on health and social inclusion, Sightsavers recognizes the importance of inclusive data. It allows us to identify where the barriers that lead to the exclusion of marginalized groups exist. Then we can address them to improve the effectiveness of our programs.
Our learning, accountability and progress measurement framework is supported by thematic learning questions, which are used during project design and monitoring activities to ensure inclusive data is prioritized. Internally, we have established a multi-stakeholder working group to lead organizational conversations on inclusive data and foster greater collaboration, knowledge sharing, and learning across different areas. As we update the Sightsavers IDC Roadmap in the coming months, we will look for ways to continue to improve and enhance internal collaboration to advance our collective cross-organizational goals.
Promote inclusive data collection, analysis and use.
There are still significant gaps in the collection of inclusive data. For example, him SDG 2022 report found that “of 10 SDG indicators that require disability-disaggregated data, data is only available for two of them.” the recent World Data Forum recognized the need for greater coordination and collaboration in the production and use of data between actors at the national level from statistical offices, civil society organizations and citizens.
While we must continue to call for more inclusive data collection, it is equally important that we focus on its analysis and use. If we don’t, we risk having a lot of data that isn’t used to effectively drive better decisions and outcomes for people who are marginalized or excluded.
At Sightsavers, our work on inclusive data has focused on using the Washington Group Questions assess the prevalence of disability along with other characteristics such as gender and age. We started this work with pilot projects in India and Tanzania over eight years ago and have since expanded to more countries through our inclusive eye health and social inclusion programmes. We are now changing our approach to ensure data collection leads to better analysis, which will improve the way we do our work together with national partners. Our updated IDC action plan will include looking at how we can best consolidate what we’ve learned about what works and how we can strengthen inclusive data collection, analysis, and use.
