Improve the collection and processing of equality data in Belgium
"Improving equality data collection in Belgium" (IEDCB) is a Belgian project co-funded by the European Commission's Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme. It is carried out in partnership by the Equal Opportunities Team (FOD Justitie - SPF Justice) and Unia.
The project aims to improve the collection and processing of equality data in Belgium. As a first step we aim to make an inventory of existing equality data in Belgium on these subjects. We are planning interviews with experts on the topic, and we are distributing a questionnaire to civil society organisations. At the end of the project, in June 2021, we will publish a report and organise a conference to present our recommendations for the collection and processing of equality data.
What exactly are equality data?
Equality data are all kinds of useful data that allow us to describe and analyse the state of equality or inequality. They can be both quantitative and qualitative. Equality data include official data (census, administrative database), surveys, victimisation surveys, complaints or reports, discrimination testing, diversity monitoring and qualitative surveys.
Why are equality data important?
As part of the fight against discrimination and inequality, it is essential to collect equality data in order to obtain a more accurate picture of reality. Correct and complete data are the basis for identifying problems and solving them through policies based on facts, not intuition.
An example: the Socio-Economic Monitoring
The Socio-Economic Monitoring 2019 carried out by Unia in collaboration with the Governmental Service for Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue (FOD Werkgelegenheid, Arbeid en Sociaal Overleg - SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale) is an example of equality data. This monitoring makes it possible to measure integration in the labour market according to people's origins and thus to analyse (in)equality in the labour market.
What data are covered by the IEDCB project?
Within the framework of this project, we aim to make an inventory of existing equality data in Belgium for three groups of discrimination criteria:
- 'Racial' criteria: so-called race, colour, nationality, descent and national or ethnic origin;
- Religion or belief;
- Sexual orientation, gender identity (transgender) and intersex.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to know more about the project. You can do so by sending an email to the following address: equalitydata@unia.be.
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