Collecting Data for Equity and Justice

Abstract

This chapter seeks to address the challenge of collecting data about individual and interpersonal experiences of sex and gender to advance justice and equity in a context where gender and sex classifications have been used to erase and subdue non-conforming identities. The authors outline the field of previous studies on the topic, then illustrate the need for data collection with a human rights approach illustrated by case studies from three geographical contexts. First, the importance of accurate and just data for equitable access to public services is highlighted through a case study of transgender inclusion in public data in India. Second, the importance of collecting data with communities is illustrated through the example of a feminist association of transgender women based in South Africa. Finally, the authors provide ideas for designing data collection instruments, illustrated through changes in the Australian data collection standards initiated by advocacy and activist groups.