SHAPING INCLUSIVE FUTURES
WITH GENDER DATA
SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA CLUB
The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) is an international platform whose Secretariat is hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD/SWAC produces and maps data, provides informed analyses and facilitates strategic dialogue, to help better anticipate transformations in the region and their territorial impacts.
WHY GENDER DATA MATTERS
FOR POLICY MAKING
Gender data is crucial for understanding how gender shapes individuals' experiences. Without it, specific needs remain hidden, resulting in policies that fail to address disparities, perpetuate inequality, and ultimately hinder progress towards inclusive and equitable development. At SWAC, we believe that gender data is not just for analysis—it is critical to transforming policies that tackle inequality. For this data to drive meaningful progress, it must be understood, integrated, and applied effectively in policy-making.
DATA: LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVE POLICIES
Gender-disaggregated data is the backbone of inclusive policy making. SWAC provides policymakers with data –whether collected anew or drawn from existing sources – needed to design policies that reflect the diverse needs of all citizens.
ANALYSIS: TURNING DATA INTO MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS
Data becomes impactful when transformed into practical tools that inform policy decisions. SWAC translates gender data into maps, policy briefs, and concrete evidence, empowering stakeholders to address inequalities and develop targeted, sector-specific policies.
DIALOGUE: DRIVING PROGRESS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSION
Data is most effective when combined with dialogue. SWAC fosters collaboration by bringing together policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to create platforms for informed discussion e.g privatepublic dialogue on intra-regional food trade; the COP28 side event on Reimagining urban transport in African cities.
SPOTLIGHT: GENDER-RESPONSIVE APPROACHES IN ACTION
GENDER & URBAN MOBILITY: SHAPING INCLUSIVE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
Inclusive urban planning starts with understanding how individuals use transport differently. In collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Manchester, and the OECD’s International Transport Forum (ITF), and the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive, SWAC spearheaded the production of innovative data and analysis to support the redesign of sustainable, inclusive, and accessible transport systems in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana.
DESIGNING INCLUSIVE MOBILITY POLICIES WITH GENDER-SENSITIVE DATA
In collaboration with the University of Ghana, SWAC conducted a survey, with equal participation from women and men in both Accra and Kumasi. This revealed how factors like gender, income and age intersect to shape mobility patterns and access to transportation.
To further enhance inclusivity, SWAC incorporated the "Mobility of Care" framework into the survey design and analysis. This approach ensures that travel linked to care-giving tasks like escorting children, household shopping, and caring for relatives – are incorporated into transport planning. Traditional surveys often overlook these trips – predominantly carried out by women - leading to transport systems that fail to accommodate essential travel needs. Integrating the "Mobility of Care" approach helps better reflect the full spectrum of daily travel needs for all residents in transport planning.
Embedding gender considerations throughout the entire transport planning process—from data collection to policy design—helps address issues of affordability and access that disproportionately impact women. This holistic approach fosters more equitable and effective urban mobility systems.
GENDER DISPARITIES
IN ACCESSING ESSENTIAL SERVICES
LIMITED TRANSPORT OPTIONS FOR WOMEN:
Women in low-income groups heavily rely on walking and Trotros (shared minibuses) which offer limited access to essential services.
MARKET ACCESS:
61% of Accra’s population cannot reach a market within a 30-minute walk. This disproportionately affects women, since market trade represents nearly 40% of women’s employment in Greater Accra, compared to only 10% for men.
GREATER ACCRA MARKET ACCESS
61%
ACCRA'S POPULATION CANNOT REACH A MARKET WITHIN A 30-MINUTE WALK
40% 10% OF WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT IS IN MARKET TRADE OF MEN’S EMPLOYMENT IS IN MARKET TRADE
PRIMARY SCHOOL ACCESS:
51% of Accra’s population cannot reach a primary school within a 30-minute walk. This impacts women most as they undertake 75% of trips bringing children to and from school.
GREATER ACCRA
PRIMARY SCHOOL ACCESS
51%
ACCRA'S POPULATION CANNOT REACH A PRIMARY SCHOOL WITHIN A 30-MINUTE WALK
75%
OF TRIPS BRINGING CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL ARE UNDERTAKEN BY WOMEN
BARRIERS IN TROTRO USE:
CHILDREN’S ACCESS:
Trotro drivers often refuse entry to children under 12, disproportionately affecting women accompanying children. Among low-income groups, who make up 95% of the population (earning under GHS 1,500/month), Trotro usage drops sharply when travelling with children - from 38% of daily trips without children to only 3% with children.
MARKET TRADERS CHALLENGES:
Market traders, many of whom are women, face additional barriers when using Trotros. In Accra, 70% of survey respondents transporting heavy loads reported being charged higher fares, while 15% of market traders were denied entry altogether due to their goods. These obstacles further restrict mobility and limit economic opportunities for women traders.
TROTRO DRIVERS DENY ACCESS TO CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD.
OF DAILY TROTRO TRIPS ARE WITHOUT CHILDREN.
OF DAILY TROTRO TRIPS ARE WITH CHILDREN.
MARKET TRADERS PAY HIGHER FARES FOR CARRYING HEAVY LOADS
MARKET TRADERS DENIED ENTRY WITH HEAVY LOADS
GENDER & FOOD TRADE:
UNLOCKING WOMEN'S POTENTIAL
Intra-regional food trade is critical for West Africa’s food security, economic growth, livelihoods, and resilience. Women are central to this sector, yet they face unique challenges that are often not captured in policy frameworks. SWAC’s research sheds light on these gender-specific barriers.
COLLECTING GENDER-SENSITIVE DATA FOR INCLUSIVE FOOD TRADE POLICIES
Through a survey of over 3,000 farmers, traders, agribusinesses across eight West African countries, SWAC integrated a gender perspective to better understand how men and women experience food trade differently. This data will inform an upcoming West Africa Paper and be presented at public private dialogue events and a summit on intra-regional food trade, guiding discussions with policymakers and partners to inform more gender-inclusive and targeted food trade policies.
FACILITATING DIALOGUE ON GENDER-EQUITABLE FOOD TRADE POLICIES
SWAC is also fostering dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders on intra-regional food trade in West Africa. This work includes a focus on the roles and constraints of women in food trade, exploring how trade facilitation initiatives and policy frameworks can be adapted to better support women traders and promote gender equity within the expanding regional food trade sector.
WEST AFRICAN PAPERS FOSTERING DIALOGUE:
BETWEEN PUBLIC AND ON INTRA-REGIONAL FOOD TRADE PRIVATE SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS
DIALOGUE: AMPLIFYING VOICES FROM CIVIL SOCIETY AND BEYOND
SWAC’s Women leading change podcast series provides a platform for critical discussions on gender issues in West Africa. Featuring voices from civil society leaders, policymakers and researchers, the series brings real-world experiences into dialogue with SWAC’s research and analysis.
The podcast explores how gender intersects with climate change, security, and food systems, elevating the insights of women leaders striving for gender equality in these areas. This reciprocal exchange ensures that SWAC’s gender analysis reflects lived realities, driving inclusive and impactful policies.
Women leading change has gained recognition beyond SWAC’s own platforms, being relayed by other international networks and media outlets. The wider dissemination of these discussions amplifies the impact of SWAC’s work, positioning gender equality as a key driver of inclusive development.
OUR HOSTS
Dr. Leena Hoffmann:
is an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House. She leads the Programme’s Social Norms and Accountable Governance Project and is the scientific lead for the Citizen and Security Relations in West Africa Research programme. She is a Member of Transparency International’s Advisory Council and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the Global Evergreening Alliance. Previously, she served as technical advisor to CILSS, a Marie Curie research fellow, and an anti-corruption investigator at Nigera’s Independent Commission for Corrupt Practices.
Ms. Mame Diarra Diop:
is a journalist, author and expert in gender, peace, security, and migration. She has worked with international media such as RFI, Afrik. com and Continental Magazine. She has presented at Africable Télévision, served as the editorial director of JournalduMali.com, and Programme Co-ordinator at the United Nations Radio in Mali. Holding a degree in Modern Literature and a Master's in Media Management, she has also served as President of the Association of Professionals of Online Press, committed to promoting women in media.
SPOTLIGHT ON PODCAST EPISODES: WOMEN LEADING CHANGE
FOOD TRADE: EMBRACING INFORMALITY & GENDER EQUITY
TUNE INTO OUR WOMEN LEADING CHANGE PODCAST: https://soundcloud.com/ swac-oecd/sets/women-leading-change
Intra-regional food trade is critical for the development of West Africa, offering vast potential for food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. Jeanine Cooper, former Minister of Agriculture for Liberia, shares her insights in this field. She founded FABRAR, a pioneering Liberian agri-business, and served as its Managing Director.
HER INSIGHTS
INFORMAL TRADE DYNAMICS:
Informal food trade plays a massive yet often overlooked role in West Africa’s food economy. Jeanine urges policymakers to acknowledge and work with this reality for effective economic planning.
HOLISTIC EMPOWERMENT:
Jeanine underscores the critical but often unrecognised role women play in the food economy. She advocates for more holistic empowerment strategies that address both women’s farming needs and domestic responsibilities.
Policymakers must understand that informality rules most of our economies. Using flawed data to make development decisions leads to flawed development. — Jeanine Cooper
Jeanine Cooper
EXPANDING GENDER DIALOGUE:
KEY INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS
EXPLORING GENDER DATA GAPS
In 2023, SWAC hosted a panel discussion on the impact of gender data gaps at its Strategy and Policy Group meeting, featuring experts from Digital Earth Africa, UN Women, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The discussion highlighted the importance of collecting sex-disaggregated data and conducting gender analysis to create more inclusive policies.
WATHI: GENDER FOCUS
In partnership with WATHI, a West African citizen think tank, SWAC provides gender-focused webinars amplifying key issues affecting women and girls in the region. These webinars create a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering inclusive dialogue on critical topics e.g. Multiple crises in the Sahel and the well-being of women and girls
WHAT OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS SAY
Feedback from a survey of SWAC’s Members and partners in 2024 shows the broad impact of SWAC’s gender mainstreaming efforts and underscores the importance and effectiveness of SWAC’s work in promoting gender-sensitive analysis and fostering informed dialogue in West Africa.
Found SWAC’s work helpful in enhancing understanding of gender issues
Appreciated the Women Leading Change podcast series
Reported that SWAC’s gender-related policy dialogue improved their awareness and understanding of gender issues
FIND OUT MORE
ACCESS OUR RESEARCH: https://www.oecd.org/swac/
EXPLORE OUR INTERACTIVE TOOLS [MAPTA]: https://mapping-africa-transformations.org/
TUNE INTO OUR WOMEN LEADING CHANGE PODCAST: https://soundcloud.com/swac-oecd/sets/ women-leading-change
FOLLOW US ON: https://twitter.com/SWAC_OECD
FIND US ON: www.facebook.com/OECDSWAC
CONNECT WITH US ON: www.linkedin.com/company/sahel-andwest-africa-club
