By Angel Konthoujam & Darshini Ravindranath
Gender equality and social equity are integral to achieving sustainable development in agriculture-food systems, however, achieving said goals has been challenging because of the unique complexities associated with it. Gendered power dynamics are frequently visible in middle- and low-income countries which results in women having differential risks, exposures, vulnerabilities, and outcomes. These experiences often go unrecorded in data collection as structural barriers and norms often are not adequately addressed in the design and implementation of surveys and research methodologies. Hence, it is crucial to recognise the gender data gap and emphasize the strong need for data that is accurate and representative of all groups.
The gender data gap in agriculture
Data collection in research at a local level often does not take into consideration the indicators which are specific to women in agriculture. This data imbalance can lead to the exclusion of women farmers in policy design. This may subsequently cause a growing inequity in the economic progress of the said left-out population, further exacerbating the already existing gender-related inequalities.
Critical gender indicators missing in data collection
Many gender indicators, such as women’s unpaid labour, access to resources and decision-making roles in households and communities, are often missing in data collection. Additionally, women’s access to resources such as land, credit, agricultural training and extension services is frequently overlooked. Moreover, data often neglects the barriers women face, like discriminatory land inheritance laws or cultural norms that restrict their mobility.
Collecting gender-sensitive data
In contexts where societal norms and gender dynamics impact information gathering, male enumerators face challenges in gaining access to women respondents. In many communities, women experience cultural norms that restrict open communication with male surveyors. Women enumerators, however, are uniquely positioned to better collect gender-sensitive data due to their ability to build trust and foster cultural comfort with women respondents. This not only increases the likelihood of capturing accurate and comprehensive data but also ensures that the voices and experiences of women are properly represented, leading to more informed and equitable policy decisions.
Integrating gender into questionnaire design
In India, IWMI’s Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) project introduced targeted enumerator training and gender-centric modules in surveys conducted in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to address these gaps, enhancing data on women farmers’ decision-making and needs. Before piloting the survey, gender sensitization training was conducted. One of the key takeaways from this training was the women enumerators’ contribution to framing sensitive questions and what additional topics to include in the questionnaire. Additionally, through secondary research, literature has often reported women enumerators as improving participation rates among women respondents, resulting in more accurately represented data. They are often reported to achieve higher survey completion rates and make fewer errors as well.
Narratives from the field: Enumerators’ perspectives
The narratives shared by both women and men during sex-disaggregated focus group discussions that IWMI conducted for enumerators shed light on why the presence of women enumerators was not just beneficial but essential in closing the existing gender data gap in agriculture.
This was emphasised by men like Bholaram and Lalit whilst highlighting the challenges they face in engaging with women respondents due to strong socio-cultural barriers. Lalit also pointed out that male guardians often oversee women respondents during interviews, hindering candid discussions and potentially contaminating data.
“Women respondents are not as comfortable with male enumerators, but with female enumerators, they feel at ease. This allows them to share personal stories and experiences related to the survey that might never come up if a male enumerator was conducting the interview.”– Lalit
Women enumerators, from similar cultural backgrounds to the respondents, enrich data with empathy and cultural sensitivity.
“It is important to understand whether women can make decisions on their own or not. There is often a lack of awareness amongst women. Men are generally aware, but awareness among women is very low, so it’s crucial that we engage with them for inclusive survey outcomes.”– Vaishali
Beyond capturing accurate data, the role of women enumerators extends to challenging traditional gender roles and fostering empowerment within communities. Shalini Kumari and Rani Sharma exemplify this by defying societal expectations and contributing meaningfully to data collection despite facing familial and cultural challenges. Their presence advocates for gender equality in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Good practices for hiring and supporting women enumerators
To ensure equitable research practices, there is a need to highlight some good practices in fostering the hiring of women enumerators. One that is easily achievable at an organizational level is the continued emphasis on having a balanced enumerators’ team. Additionally, pairing women enumerators with male counterparts during household interviews can mitigate biases and data manipulation concerns from male heads of households, allowing for more comprehensive data collection. Ensuring the safety and well-being of women enumerators is essential, especially in remote areas. This includes provisions for meals, transportation, accommodation and safe sanitation facilities, alleviating logistical concerns and allowing them to focus on their work. Moreover, based on feedback from focused group discussions, women enumerators express a preference for women supervisors and trainers, as this fosters a supportive and secure environment for their work.
Leaving no one behind
The gender of data enumerators is not just a matter of representation but a key element in ensuring the integrity and inclusivity of research outcomes. Policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners must recognize the unique challenges faced by both women and men to design effective, targeted interventions. It is vital to include monitoring indicators that address these specific challenges in questionnaire design. Moreover, the involvement of women enumerators is crucial for capturing the experiences of women farmers across different social contexts, ensuring their perspectives are included in decision-making processes that affect their lives. By integrating indicators related to structural barriers and gender norms in survey design, empowering both female and male enumerators, and providing them with adequate gender sensitization training, we can bridge the gender data gap and pave the way for more informed policies and programs that truly leave no one behind.
The authors acknowledge Kriti Sharma, Consultant at IWMI for her help in preparation for the focus group discussions conducted for this write-up.
