Integrating Human Rights and Statistics Some perspectives from South Africa
The present and future statistical opportunities and challenges will not be met unless we change the way we think we organise and structure we do
Two catalysts to using a human rights based approach to data Move from survey based organisational structure to statistical themes. Establish a special statistical unit that specifically looks at marginalised and vulnerable populations i.e. gender and vulnerable group (elderly, youth, disabled, children) statistics. Most NSO s already have migration units.
FROM SURVEYS TO STATISTICAL THEMES Victims of Crime General Household Domestic Tourism Governance, Public Safety & Justice Education Service Delivery Gender and Vulnerable Groups Tourism
Why was this important? Increased participation, transparency and inclusion of other Government sectors and civil society in statistical processes and vice versa. Better communication and greater understanding of the users and their policy, strategic and planning imperatives leads to more appropriate and accessible publications and dissemination to a wider range of stakeholders. Work begins to transcend household surveys into all collections related to that statistical theme. A focal point for gender and vulnerable group statistics: Consolidates knowledge and information on the theme and highlights the importance of cross-cutting inclusion. Acts as an enabler for disaggregation friendly survey instruments and statistical publications.
FROM SURVEYS TO STATISTICAL THEMES Victims of Crime General Household Domestic Tourism Focal point Governance, Public Safety & Justice Education Service Delivery Gender and Vulnerable Groups Tourism
Why measure Human Rights? South Africa is a signatory of Universal Declaration of Human Rights International covenant on Economic Social and Cultural rights (signed 1994, ratified 2015) International covenant on civil and political rights (signed 1994, ratified 1998) and additional protocols At least 25 other aligned conventions and protocols
Input Accountability Statistical Value Chain: GPS&J Statistical Process: Governed by the Statistics Act no 6. of 1999; South African Statistical Quality Assurance Framework; Policies and Standards Transparency Output Strategy Stakeholders Environment Resources Other projects Disseminate Need analysis Review of literature Mapping of data systems Advocacy and small group meetings HRC on data requirements ICESCR, DSD on CRPD, CGE on the AGDI Stakeholder consultation: Govt, academics, civil society; Int. agencies Design and plan Research Identify data items Methodology instruments Processing systems specs. Tabulation plan Develop/ Revise project plans Development and testing Develop/ revise survey tools Testing and review of survey tools Printing of questionnaires Develop metadata Develop editing and imputation programs Develop programs for analysis Quality assurance Monitor training Monitor use of survey tools Participation Editing and imputation Develop/ Revise Manual Editing system Develop/ revise automated editing and imputation system Analyse Run programs for analysis Verification and validation Interpret data and write narrative report Creation of derived variables Finalise outputs for analysis Produce products for dissemination Media release Manage and attend to user enquiries Finalise metadata Archive document Evaluate Lessons learnt Evaluate data quality and present to operations Stakeholder and internal review Transparency Privacy Planning documents and stakeholder requirements Specificatio ns and reports tools, programs and systems Edited data Releases and reports Evaluation reports Keep and update metadata
Human Rights specific content of Governance, Public Safety and Justice questionnaire (measured every two years) Disaggregation and self-identification Sex, age, ethnicity, migration, disability, religion, civil status, income/living standard measure. Ethnicity include an option Other (specify) which enables selfidentification The inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity is still being researched. Caveat is sample size for what is currently still a statistical rare event.
Human rights specific questions Perceptions about women, people s sexual orientation and the disabled. Perceptions and knowledge about human rights, the constitution and the bill of rights Perceptions about the most import characteristics of a democracy as well as the extent to which it is practised in the country. General practise, personal experience and reporting behaviour related to discrimination in South Africa (incl at courts). Extent to which democratic rights are exercised through voting.
Areas for further growth and improvement? Establish a system to systematically guard research ethics Increased participation at grass roots level in defining the measurement agenda, supplying data and participation in dissemination processes
Thank You For more information about StatsSA projects: Isabelle Schmidt isabelsc@statssa.gov.za