Blog by Elizabeth Peterson, 2024–2026 North Atlantic Region Governor from Soroptimist  

‘The iCount Coalition: Shaping Data Futures’ CSW69 workshop was an inspiring and intellectually rich discussion on the power of data science to create inclusive policy change. Led by Ms. Joanne Crawford, Strategic Advisor for Equality Insights at the International Women’s Development Agency in Melbourne, the session focused on the intersection of mathematics, economics, probability, and statistics to uncover hidden lived realities. The breakout sessions, facilitated by a coalition of enthusiastic and dedicated data analysts, showcased how data can shape a more inclusive future where every individual is counted. 

Intersectionality in Data Science 

One of the most profound themes of the workshop was the importance of intersectionality in data analysis. Traditional data collection often presents averages that fail to capture the complexities of human experience. The coalition emphasised that data is not always revealing our diversity, which limits both visibility and effective policymaking.  

For example, a surface-level statistic in Fiji suggests that household members are exposed to hazardous fumes for an average of 64 minutes per day. However, when the data is disaggregated by gender, a stark reality emerges, women experience exposure for 105 minutes per day, while men are only exposed for 24 minutes. This type of insight underscores why multivariate interactions must be considered in statistical analysis—when we do not account for overlapping variables like gender, labour division, and household roles, we risk missing critical inequalities. 

Intersectionality in probability and statistics is crucial for making sense of complex, real-world disparities. The data analysts at the workshop stressed that it is not enough to simply collect information; we must stratify and interpret it correctly. For example, analysing poverty through a gendered lens requires examining not just income levels, but also access to resources, ownership of assets, and unpaid labour contributions—all of which can differ dramatically by age, disability status, and geographic location. Without an intersectional approach, policies aimed at reducing poverty might overlook those who are most marginalised. 

The Power of Data to Shape Policy 

A core message of the workshop was that “if you have good data, you will have good policy.” The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) recognised this decades ago when it called for sex and age segregated data. Today, the iCount Coalition is expanding that vision by applying the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for measuring and analysing inequality. 

A key takeaway was that not all methods of counting data are equal. Depending on what is measured—and how—it can either illuminate hidden barriers or further obscure them. Consider the range of intersecting variables discussed at the workshop: 

• Economic factors (assets, clothing, education, employment)
• Environmental factors (access to energy, exposure to hazards, food security)
• Health and well-being (disability, family planning, sanitation, safety)

 

Without detailed, people-centered data, entire communities remain invisible, and their struggles go unaddressed in public policy. Canada and Colombia were highlighted as global leaders in using intersectional data to influence policy, proving that when governments prioritise data-driven decision-making, real change is possible. 

Moving from a Scarcity Mindset to a Growth Mindset 

One of the most exciting aspects of the workshop was its forward-thinking approach. Rather than treating data collection as a passive exercise, the coalition was actively shaping the data agenda for the future. The goal is to move society from a scarcity mindset to a growth mindset, where solutions are bold, inclusive, and action-driven. 

The workshop encouraged participants to “dream boldly” about what data can accomplish. Wouldn’t it be extraordinary to see global food insecurity tackled through better economic modelling or to create sustainable energy policies that reflect the lived realities of marginalised groups? Data may differ for different people and contexts, but by humanising statistics, we can tell new narratives that drive change. 

Conclusion: Building an Inclusive Data Future 

The iCount Coalition is not just collecting numbers, it is building momentum for an inclusive data future. The mathematicians and economists in the group emphasised that aspiration in data science does not have to be perfect or exact—but it does have to be ambitious. 

The workshop ended with a powerful reminder: leaving no one behind starts with making everyone visible in the data. By integrating intersectional analysis into statistics, economics, and policy-making, we can create a world where data truly reflects all lived experiences—not just the averages.