Driving Change with Data: Gender Statistics Take Center Stage in Tbilisi

From 1 to 3 October 2025, statisticians, policymakers, researchers, and advocates from around the world are gathering in Tbilisi, Georgia for the 10th United Nations Global Forum on Gender Statistics. Under the theme “Driving Change with Gender Statistics: A Path to Equality,” the Forum underscores how disaggregated, high-quality gender data is critical for driving transformative policies and advancing equality for all. 

Centering Gender Data in Policy and Planning 

Hosted by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) in collaboration with the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), the Forum is convening over 150 participants from national and international statistical offices, government agencies, academia, civil society, and international organizations. Sessions focus on key thematic areas, including women’s economic empowerment, time-use statistics, gender and climate change, migration, and the digital transformation of care systems. 

Discussions aim to highlight how data gaps and underinvestment in gender statistics hinder efforts to track and achieve gender equality. The Forum also sets to showcase tools and strategies for improving the collection, dissemination, and use of gender data in policy processes. 

A Spotlight on Care, Climate, and Transformation 

This year’s edition places special attention on the care economy and its implications for gender equality. Participants are exploring how better data on unpaid care work and caregiving systems can inform inclusive social protection policies and equitable labor practices. Other panels are tackling the intersections of gender with migration and climate change, areas where data remains sparse but crucial. 

Sessions are also highlighting innovations and good practices in gender statistics from the African region, and how to better integrate a gender lens into existing statistical systems.  

From Data to Action 

Francesca Grum, Assistant Director of the UN Statistics Division, called for bold action: “The active use of robust, high-quality, and disaggregated gender data, supported by political will, institutional commitment, and strategic partnerships, will drive transformative outcomes.” 

The Forum reinforces that gender statistics are not just technical tools, but powerful instruments for equity and accountability. By translating data into policy, countries can move closer to ensuring that no one is left behind. 

The 10th United Nations Global Forum on Gender Statistics serves as a timely reminder of the central role of gender data in accelerating progress across all dimensions of sustainable development. 

The Forum will broadcast live on the YouTube channel of UN DESA’s Statistics Division: https://youtu.be/s8pC82_EXsc 

Learn more about the Forum here.