A new online course, launched today on International Women’s Day, offers journalists and statisticians the opportunity to boost their skills with regards to communicating gender statistics on women’s economic empowerment.
The free course, available on PARIS21’s flagship online learning platform, The PARIS21 Academy, teaches participants how to develop thoughtful and informative communications materials that incorporate gender data in an effective and gender-sensitive manner.
The course is aimed at journalists – from bloggers to newsroom editors – and statisticians alike, and combines conceptual study with practical training and guidance. It also focuses on peer learning among journalists and statisticians, and provides essential knowledge on the use of gender statistics to understand and address burdens for women in the labour market. The course design and content takes into account the transformative role of gender equality advocacy and equips both communities with a new set of skills to engage diverse audiences. Participants who have completed the previous free e-learning course on “Communicating Gender Statistics” will also benefit from this course, which provides a deeper look into gender statistics.
“The resurgence of poverty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis has revealed the precariousness of economic security for many women. Forty percent of employed women work in industries hardest hit by the impacts of the pandemic. We need timely, disaggregated data to better understand, and address, the challenges that they face. For a holistic approach that leaves no one behind, more foundational gender data across different policy domains like health, employment and education are essential,” said Johannes Jütting, PARIS21 Executive Head. “This course will build a community of journalists and statisticians able to get the facts across about gender equality, no matter whom they are talking to.”
Papa Seck, Chief Statistician of UN Women said, “UN Women is highly committed to supporting gender statistics, including strong planning, production and use. It is only when gender statistics are communicated and understood that they can be used for policy change to address the structural barriers women face such as lack of affordable childcare, educational opportunities, and access to resources. We are thus delighted to share with you the e-learning course on communicating gender statistics.”
Developed by PARIS21 and UN Women through the Women Count programme, the course incorporates the latest theory and practice on gender statistics communication, including key concepts of gender statistics, gender-sensitive language and visualisation. Course development drew on more than 20 years of experience of gender advocacy and thought of both organisations.
The course is available on the PARIS21 Academy website in English, and will take participants around 160 minutes (self-paced) to complete. Participants passing the quizzes and completing the course will be awarded a certificate.
Visit the PARIS21 Academy and sign up for the free course