Measuring gender-based violence: Data collection and evidence on violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

The risks of gender-based violence (GBV), understood as violence perpetrated with the intent to punish those who are perceived as defying dominant gender and/or sexual norms and narratives, are compounded for women, girls, and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

This report addresses a critical gap in global efforts to end gender-based violence and its intersections with discriminatory factors, by specifically focusing on the challenges related to data collection and evidence on the experiences of people with diverse SOGIESC. Despite a growing evidence base and accelerated efforts to develop fit-for-purpose research and data collection methods, significant quantitative and qualitative gaps remain in the understanding of the scale and particular manifestations of violence based on SOGIESC.

The report raises the alarm on the urgent necessity for comprehensive, disaggregated, and inclusive data to accurately capture the diverse forms, prevalence, and profound impacts of violence faced by these often-marginalized populations.

With a view to providing actionable solutions, the report maps existing approaches and methods to collect data; provides a snapshot of the landscape of existing evidence; highlights where the pressing gaps and challenges remain; and identifies promising ways forward to overcome challenges to data collection, uptake, and use.