All Things Policy Gender, Data, and Policy
Oct 7, 2025
Shreya and Anwesha explore the critical gender data gap that's woven into our policies and systems. They highlight how female-specific data is often overlooked, affecting everything from healthcare to urban design. Surprising examples illustrate the real-world implications, like post-disaster rebuilding biases. They discuss how user-centered design can bridge this gap, along with the need for equitable funding in women's health innovations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of inclusive research and policy that considers diverse experiences.
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Gender Data Gap Shapes Systems
- Caroline Criado-Perez argues the world is built on a gender data gap that treats male experience as default.
- This gap produces flawed systems across transport, health, urban planning and economics with large costs.
When Equal Design Produces Inequality
- The Barbican Art Centre example shows equal space allocation produced unequal outcomes for women due to urinals and cubicle distribution.
- Women faced longer queues because design treated gender as identical rather than accounting for different needs.
Design Drives Public Space Use
- Public spaces often look empty of women because they were designed without women's preferences like lighting and in-person security.
- When designers include women's safety needs, participation increases and spaces become more equitable.
