Download Why the AGDI? - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

AFRICAN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT INDEX PHASE 4
(AGDI 4) METHODOLOGICAL WORKSHOP
ADDIS ABABA: 7-8 JUNE 2016
MOTIVATION, OBJECTIVES, AND STRUCTURE OF THE AGDI
NGONE DIOP, SENIOR GENDER ADVISOR
Why the AGDI? Rationale for developing
the index
Measuring progress on gender equality . Why?
“If you don’t measure it you cannot count it and if you cannot count it you will not act on it”




ECA developed the AGDI in 2004 for the following reasons:
Support African countries to implement their global and regional
gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments i.e.
CEDAW, Dakar and Beijing Platform for Action, Protocol to the
African Charter on the Rights of Women; Solemn Declaration on
Gender Equality and Women’s Rights; etc.
Help countries to measure their progress in implementing their
regional and global gender equality and women’s empowerment
commitments.
Provide member States with a comprehensive Africa-specific index
that takes into account the socio-cultural, economic and political
context of the continent. A tool that measures women’s wellbeing
beyond GDP.
Why the AGDI? Rationale for developing
the index

Support institutionalisation of gender statistics and the systematic use of
the latter for change.

Provide MS with a comprehensive tool that is a gender responsive
planning, implementation and M&E index

Strengthen member States’ policy and planning focus and coherence in
addressing gender inequality.

In sum, the objective that underpinned the development of the AGDI was
to support Africa’s path and pace towards an inclusive, equitable and
sustainable development to which women contribute and benefit on
equal footing as men.
Theoretical and Conceptual framework for
the AGDI



Armatysa Sen ‘s Capability framework used to shape the
theory that underpins AGDI and to analyze gender equality
and women’s empowerment in a holistic manner bringing the
social/cultural, economic and political dimension of
development. Attention to critical dimensions such as agency
and voice
= process of empowerment and self-reliance
Women’s wellbeing and gender equality conceptualized
beyond economic parameters (beyond GDP) - based on the
standpoint that high economic growth and income do not
guarantee high gender equality (many evidences that
support such diagnostic)
Structure/ Composition of the AGDI
Comprehensive structure, combination of a quantitative and
qualitative component that are mutually reinforcing
(1)
Quantitative component i.e. the Gender Status Index (GSI),
(2)
Qualitative component i.e. the African Women Progress
Scoreboard (AWPS).

The GSI measures gender equality gaps by assessing
whether men and women have the same opportunities to
earn income, an access to and control over resources and
opportunities to obtain education and live healthy lives.
Structure/ Composition of the AGDI
(cont’d)

The AWPS captures qualitative issues in relation to the performance of the
gender policies of African countries and progress in implementing regional
and international commitments on gender equality and women’s
empowerment.
Uniqueness/value addition of the AGDI
The uniqueness of the AGDI can be attributed to at least 5
criteria:

First , it takes account of Africa’s social, cultural, economic
and political landscape; and is driven by African
governments: country’s strong ownership.

Second, it is specific to Africa because it measures progress
not only on the implementation of international conventions
and resolutions but also on African resolutions, Protocol, and
other frameworks al this using country nationally collected
data.
Uniqueness/value addition of the AGDI
(cont’d)
Third, it combines quantitative and qualitative measures of gender
inequality and provide entry points for greater improvements and
transformational change.
Cross dimensional feature; easy cross analysis , comprehensive
understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment ;
Holistic diagnostic and assessment of country performance; synergy
between social and economic determinants of gender equality and
women’s empowerment.


Fourth, it measures progress on gender equality and women’s
empowerment beyond GDP, economic outcomes to encompass
social, cultural and political dimensions.