Skip to main content
Project

Strengthening inclusive open data systems in Africa and Southeast Asia
 

Cambodia
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Thailand
Viet Nam
Project ID
109518
Total Funding
CAD 614,288.00
IDRC Officer
Katie Clancy
Project Status
Active
End Date
Duration
24 months

Programs and partnerships

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Pyrou Chung
United States

Summary

In Africa and Asia, open data is increasingly regarded as an important tool to address complex development challenges.Read more

In Africa and Asia, open data is increasingly regarded as an important tool to address complex development challenges. For example, the urgency and scale of the COVID-19 crisis has led some governments to open and share relevant data to enable evidence-based policy, support accurate reporting around the crisis, and inform inclusive social and economic recovery measures. However, there are still many challenges to realizing the benefits of a data-driven approach, including the need to build capacity among key stakeholders, support effective policies and practices, and learn from data innovations. There is a need to specifically address the lack of inclusive, disaggregated data on issues meaningful to women. This project will explore data infrastructure, governance, and use issues, building on the past research and action from the Open Data for Development Network.

In Africa, specific focus will be on building capacity and model policies with governments, availability of data in Africa, and the potential to explore innovative uses, like fighting against corruption. The project will also examine data innovation at the intersections of gender, education, food security, and climate change, with a focus on action to address the challenges brought by COVID-19 and the African locust swarm. Finally, it will explore the role that increased transparency of political party data might play in women’s political party leadership.

In Asia, the project will explore how collaborative approaches to technology development and machine learning can improve parliamentary transparency and access. The project will explore indigenous data sovereignty and management as well as working with women in local communities to use open data to defend their rights to water access and food sovereignty. The project will also support capacity building and data use for governments and civil society stakeholders and contribute to policy approaches to increase transparency and responsible release of high-quality data.

This project builds on the Open Data for Development (OD4D) program, a global network that uses data to promote social good. OD4D is supported by IDRC, Global Affairs Canada, and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Research outputs

Access full library of outputs Opens in new tab
Brief
Language:

English

Brief
Language:

English

Summary

Women leaders in water governance in the Mekong region include community leaders, activists, and members of civil society. Because networking and discussion spaces (both on- and offline) are typically male-dominated, women face barriers in participating, which results in a gap in the usefulness of digital and technologically-focused tools. As a form of knowledge co-production with elements of participatory action research, the production of this online platform has the potential to empower women and help build their technical and leadership capacity. This project brief traces activities in preparation and production of the platform.

Author(s)
Delfau, Karen
Brief
Language:

English

Summary

The statistical invisibility of vulnerable populations in Myanmar and the Mekong region limits their access to COVID-19 related relief, and hence their access to civil rights during the pandemic. The paper examines inequalities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and how to address gaps in data that lead to invisibility and further marginalization. Efforts to support marginalized peoples to access their digital rights helps amplify their voices in their advocacy for increased realization of civil rights.

Author(s)
Open Development Mekong
Brief
Language:

Lao

Summary
Author(s)
Open Development Initiative
Brief
Language:

Khmer

Summary
Author(s)
Open Development Initiative
Access full library of outputs Opens in new tab

About the partnership

Partnership(s)

Open Data for Development

The Open Data for Development (OD4D) program brings together a network of leading implementing partners who have a wealth of experience in developing countries.