Celebrating the Inclusive Data Charter’s second birthday

What progress have we made so far?

We’re collecting data across our programmes. Sightsavers’ collection of disability-disaggregated data initially focused on our health programmes. We have learnt from these programmes and have used them to strengthen our practice, and we are now building collection into new inclusive eye health programmes and projects in other thematic areas. This has been made possible by close collaboration between our monitoring, evaluation and learning and research teams, and our global technical leads, country office and project staff.

We’ve recruited people with a specific disability data focus. These people are able to offer technical support to strengthen the implementation of the Washington Group question sets, a standardised tool that can be used in different contexts, and the links between these and other methods of data collection.

We’re taking a strategic cohesive approach to inclusive data, by reconvening a disability data disaggregation senior stakeholder group made up of people representing teams across the organisation to provide strategic direction.

We’re continuing to integrate the Washington Group question sets in our projects, refining our processes as we go. We’re increasingly looking at how we can use the data we collect to influence governments and other organisations.

 We’re contributing to the global evidence base, sharing how we collect, analyse and use inclusive data on the national and global stage through meetings, conferences and working groups, as well as through publishing and sharing research papers on specific studies.

How we’re influencing others to collect better data – an example

 In Senegal, as in many other countries, inclusive data is critical in highlighting the people who are at risk of being left behind and helping to identify the most effective actions to address their needs. Salimata Bocoum, Sightsavers’ country director in Senegal, currently coordinates the council of non-governmental development support organisation’s (CONGAD) civil society working group for the SDGs.

Salimata saw an opportunity to strengthen the government’s commitment to implement a national level SDG strategy through the adoption of the IDC. The CONGAD working group has developed an advocacy strategy to promote the IDC and mobilise and engage stakeholders at all levels within civil society. Work is ongoing to influence the government to become an IDC champion and develop a clear action plan to be integrated in the monitoring of the national strategy to leave no one behind.

An exciting few months ahead

Over he next few months, Sightsavers will continue to build on the work we are already doing. We will be reviewing and relaunching our IDC action plan to reaffirm our commitments and reflect the increasing breadth of work we are doing to strengthen inclusive data across the organisation.

We will also be facilitating a session on inclusive data at the UN World Data Forum, which is being held virtually in October 2020.  Along with speakers from government, multilaterals and other civil society organisations, we will share our learnings so far in the collection, analysis and use of inclusive data and candidly share some of the challenges we have faced. We will also be launching a learning publication about disability data aimed at external practitioners, which will outline our key insights and learning.

As we work towards achieving the SDGs by 2030, this is an important time to be monitoring progress. Initiatives like the IDC, and the commitments made by organisations and governments, will help to ensure that we continue to build the momentum around inclusive data to ensure we fulfil our promise to leave no one behind.

Inclusive data to inclusive policy: data-driven policies that leave no one behind (Tuesday 21 July, 8:30am EST – US and Canada)

Following on from the High-Level Political Forum, the Inclusive Data Charter is hosting a webinar to explore how inclusive data is enabling governments to accelerate action on the ‘leave no one behind’ agenda.  Register for the event 

Author

Linsey Winter is Sightsavers’ disability data disaggregation project manager.