Outcome WCA_D_1.1

Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data and knowledge are produced, analyzed and used to inform policymaking, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women's empowerment results in West and Central Africa Region (SP Outcome 6)

In 2025, the West and Central Africa Regional Office strengthened its strategic role in reinforcing national gender statistics systems. A major achievement was the explicit integration of sex-disaggregated data and gender statistics into Nigeria’s National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (2024–2028), supported through UN Women’s technical assistance. In parallel, comprehensive gender statistics assessments were conducted in Mauritania, Chad, and Côte d’Ivoire, identifying key gaps in data production, coordination, and use. These diagnostics provided a strong evidence base for guiding Women Count programmes and advancing the institutionalization of gender statistics in national planning and statistical frameworks. The Regional Office also significantly enhanced the practical use of gender data in public policymaking. During the reporting period, several national policies and strategies were informed by gender analysis, including strengthened administrative data systems in Nigeria, gender-responsive environmental planning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the development of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy. In addition, five major gender data initiatives, including regional and national Gender Snapshots, improved the availability of harmonized indicators for SDG monitoring. These results supported more evidence-based decision-making and strengthened accountability for gender equality commitments. Finally, substantial progress was made in building institutional capacities and strengthening inter-agency coordination on gender statistics. More than 600 institutional actors were trained across several countries, enhancing skills in data collection, analysis, dissemination, and use. Regional platforms such as the African Gender Statistics Forum and Gender Thematic Groups facilitated knowledge sharing and the adoption of common methodological standards. At the same time, producer–user dialogues and innovative initiatives, including on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, deepened partnerships and mechanisms with UN agencies and development institutions. These advances contributed to more coherent, sustainable, and policy-relevant gender data systems in support of women’s and girls’ empowerment.Top of Form

Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data and knowledge are produced, analyzed and used to inform policymaking, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women's empowerment results in West and Central Africa Region (SP Outcome 6)

The regional office has made significant progress in integrating gender statistics into the work plans of all UN Women offices. This progress is reflected in the review of country offices' annual work plans, which now systematically include activities to fill information gaps or build the capacity of staff and partners in gender statistics. Key highlights Outcomes include: Women Count Program : AFD's satisfaction with the Women Count program and its confidence in UN Women's ability to maintain a high level of technical expertise in gender statistics have resulted in a 2.5 million euro fund for Senegal, Chad, and Mauritania. The program aims to improve the production, analysis, and use of gender statistics to inform policy and advocacy, addressing gaps in gender data and strengthening the capacities of national statistical systems 2. Islamic Development Bank : The Islamic Development Bank has shown great interest in the statistical strengthening activities of the Women Count program. Although this did not result in funding to UN Women but rather directly to national partners (Niger and Senegal), it demonstrates the interest generated by this field and the credibility given to UN Women through Women Count to develop it 2. These efforts underscore the significant progress made in gender statistics and the positive reception from international partners.

Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data and knowledge are produced, analyzed and used to inform policymaking, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women's empowerment results in West and Central Africa Region (SP Outcome 6)

Awareness about the importance of gender statistics is undoubtedly steadily increasing in countries and among partners, given the growing demand for information, guidance and technical support. However, it should be noted that this request for support sometimes arrives very late (at the time of analysis or reporting) and that it is difficult for the regional office to ensure a good technical review.

Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data and knowledge are produced, analyzed and used to inform policymaking, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women's empowerment results in West and Central Africa Region (SP Outcome 6)

No acticities undertaken this year so outcome does not show any progress