Gender-responsive remote data collection, analysis, and use during crisis: UN Women’s Rapid Gender Assessments (RGAs)

Abstract

At a time when timely and relevant data was needed to understand the gendered impacts of COVID-19, the standard face-to-face data collection was limited due to lockdowns and other restrictions. Data producers, both from national and international organizations, had to explore remote methodologies such as phone- or web-based surveys. While differences in women’s and men’s situations must always be considered in all stages of any survey design, added attention should be given to remote data collection wherein there may be immediate gender bias in sampling selection, interviewer-respondent interaction, and handling respondent burden. This paper presents UN Women’s experience in intentionally applying a gender-responsive approach in remotely conducting 78 rapid gender assessment surveys (RGAs) across regions. Based on the learnings, recommendations will be provided to further improve remote data collection such as highlighting the importance of identification and monitoring of use cases, gender mainstreaming in statistical operations, and underscoring the role of national statistics offices in responding to gender data gaps during crisis.