16.11.2018 Gathering data where it matters most

Last week, the 8th Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) meeting on SDG indicators took place in Stockholm. Please continue reading for an update.
 

The meeting

  • Reviewed the tier classification
  • Discussed the implementation plan for data flows and case studies on data flows for SDGs
  • Reviewed tier III work plans and updates
  • Reviewed timeline and process for 2020 comprehensive review and additional indicators
  • Discussed progress made on the work stream on data disaggregation
  • Shared experiences on implementing monitoring of the SDGs

Overall, the meeting was positive and inclusive. It was the first time that persons with disabilities were part of an official panel, which was presented by our partner Vladimir Cuk, Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance on behalf of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities.
 

Upgrading of indicators

Another positive outcome of the IAEG meeting was that three relevant indicators were reviewed if they can be measured or not. Previously these indicators had been categorized as not measurable, but following work and arguments prior to the meeting, the IAEG decided to upgrade these indicators and declared them measurable. From now on, we are expecting that data will be collected for these indicators.

 The three indicators include:

  • Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities (10.2.1)
  • Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities (7.1)
  • Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions (7.1)
     

Disaggregation panel

There was an official panel on disaggregation in which there was strong support for disability data:

  • Mali indicated that disability disaggregation is a priority.
  • Kenya shared that it knows how to disaggregate by disability well.
  • OHCHR asked for a focus on groups left behind such as people in institutions, the homeless, and migrant communities as these populations are not counted.
     

Disaggregation meeting (following the IAEG-SDGs meeting)

This was the first time the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities was invited to a disaggregation meeting. Quite positively, data disaggregation by disability was discussed throughout the meeting. A number of challenges were raised on disaggregation (mostly on the lack of available disability data), but at the same time, the participants expressed willingness to disaggregate data by disability. As an outcome, a new work stream will be created, and constituencies will be consulted. Constituencies will work with UN (custodian) agencies to identify key policy areas.

This is a positive step forward to include the most left behind by gathering data where data are most needed to create positive change in the global development agenda.