The Make Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN) initiative, a collaborative effort between the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and APC-Colombia, is making underrepresented populations visible in policymaking through inclusive data by leveraging south-south cooperation. Over two years, we will build capacities in Ghana, Kenya, and Colombia by exchanging practices and developing country-specific outcomes. This approach involves partners from the countries’ National Statistical Offices (DANE, KNBS, and GSS), Ministries of Gender and Equality, and Civil Society Organizations.
Cross-country knowledge sharing is key
International cooperation like this allows countries to pool their resources, knowledge, and expertise, addressing common challenges more effectively. For Ghana, Kenya, and Colombia, this means leveraging their unique strengths in citizen-generated and inclusive data, and collaborations with civil society to develop solutions that inform policymaking. This exceptional expertise sets them apart and gives them a leading role in the international community.
The collaboration presents numerous learning opportunities for the participating countries. Ghana can enhance its data collection and policy responses by learning from Colombia about gender-based violence statistics, particularly female mutilation data. Kenya benefits from Colombia's expertise in gender mainstreaming and the intersectional and differential approach, improving its gender-related data practices. Colombia can learn from Ghana's use of apps for data collection from citizens and Kenya's quality criteria for data produced by civil society, enhancing its own data collection and validation processes. These exchanges not only improve each country's data capabilities but also foster innovation and scalability, leading to more comprehensive approaches to inclusive data. The potential for growth and development is truly exciting.
The future of data in policymaking
Success in this initiative involves several key outcomes:
Enhanced data practices include National Statistical Offices embedding citizen-generated data into their statistical systems, leading to more inclusive and representative data.
Informed policymaking results from governments adopting frameworks to drive inclusiveness in new data technologies, addressing the needs of underrepresented populations more effectively.
Stronger institutions will emerge from building technical capacities and fostering partnerships that ensure sustainable and equitable data use across public and private sectors.
Achieving these outcomes will demonstrate the power of data to drive equitable and sustainable development, aligning with the Global Partnership's objectives.
Read also: Global South leading the way on citizen-generated data by Eleonora Betancur González and Claire Melamed (SciDevNet)
This initiative is not just a standalone effort, but an integral part of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data's strategy for 2024-2030. The Global Partnership connects, strengthens, and amplifies a diverse and action-focused network to ensure inclusive data is used to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reduce inequality, and drive sustainability. The initiative aligns with our objectives of making inclusion the norm, strengthening national data systems, and ensuring accountable data governance. The project's alignment with these global goals reassures us of its significance and impact.
International cooperation is essential for leveraging the power of inclusive data to address global challenges. The collaboration between Ghana, Kenya, and Colombia showcases the potential of such cooperation, providing learning opportunities and paving the way for effective policies that represent marginalized groups. We are excited to see how the success of this initiative can birth new opportunities for south-south learning, paving the way for future collaborations that will drive progress and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
