Seven years ago, leaders across the world came together through the United Nations to agree on 17 Global Goals, also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Together, the entire world is working to achieve these ambitious goals by 2030. Per our mission at United WE, we have specifically invested in SDG 5: Gender Equality and Empowering all Women and Girls.
Melinda Gates discussed the progress of SDG 5 in a recent episode of the Economist Podcast. She said, “While some progress has been made, much work is yet to be done.” She also shared the importance of blending qualitative research into quantitative to create lasting change for women - which is our exact approach at United WE.
We are advancing women through the power of statistical truth and storytelling. We live in a world full of information and not all of it is accurate. We believe the formula to end gender inequity requires a strategic blend of qualitative and quantitative data. Then we put that data to work to spark systems-level change.
Quantitative data reveals the truth.
It’s a common mistake to make assumptions about issues. But, data doesn’t lie. Quantitative research gives us objective data that can clearly be communicated through statistics and numbers. This approach is one we take seriously as a nonpartisan organization. Regardless of party lines, facts like 41% of Missouri counties lack accredited childcare facilities communicate an undeniable challenge
We ensure elected officials, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs have the facts as they navigate policy and workplace issues, such as paid family leave. In our most recent research, the Kansas Town Hall Report, soon to be released on November 15, 97% of women said a paid-family leave policy was important to them. With this data, we can prove the theory that paid-family leave is a powerful retention tool for women.
Of course, our work is all about women, and women are more than just numbers. Qualitative data reveals why a truth exists.
Our model always starts with quantitative data. We share this data with women who come forward to share their own experiences with economic and civic barriers. Many of them are surprised by the
statistics. But what is not surprising, is the common themes in their stories that provide important context to the facts.
“[Paid leave is] a huge benefit for me right now. I'm pregnant and get paid maternity leave, at my last job I would have had to use PTO and short-term disability,” said one Kansas woman.
It also provides further information on the nuances of certain issues. For example, most people think of maternity leave when the words “paid leave” are mentioned. But, 27% of women surveyed during the Kansas Town Halls said they are responsible for elder care.
One woman said, “I didn’t have any children, but I had elderly parents that I had to take care of. And I had to take quite a bit of leave to take care of them both and I got a lot of criticism and flack for that.”
Another said, “I know I will be responsible for caring for my mother; however, my brother will not be.
Stories like these are powerful indicators of why the qualitative data reveals itself the way it does. Independently, each type of research provides important information - but, when blended together, a full, detailed picture is painted of the issue.
While we still have more work to do on SDG 5 international and at home, our data methods are getting us closer to true gender equity.
Wendy
P.S. If data is one of the keys to prioritizing gender equity, we must and will continue to provide as much data as possible about women’s experiences and barriers. You can support our research and data collection here.