Feminist Knowledge and the Politics of Numbers: Gender Indices As a Tool for Social Change

Foucault’s concept of "Power/Knowledge" gave rise to many studies that revealed the power of statistics and the power of knowledge as tools in the hands of dominant groups.. This paper claims that the problem does not lie in the statistical science itself but in the sources of knowledge that constitute the science. The question that should be put on the agenda is not whether statistical data is needed but who defines what data is collected, for what purposes, and for whom.

Based on The Israeli Gender Inequality Index developed by WIPS, I would like to highlight the ways the index is part of women’s collective effort to be partners in manufacturing alternative knowledge and social change.

The index is based on the calculation of gender inequality in various domains from 2004. Unlike most of the indices this Index is based on continuous expansion of the domains and the indicators that comprise them. This expansion is based upon knowledge that is developed from the bottom-up life experience of women. This knowledge grows out of a dialogue with women's organizations, research groups whose main focus is on qualitative research which strives to hear the voices and the needs of women. Inequality is measured not only based on a binary distinction between men and women but on intersectionality between gender and the various social locations like the periphery and Arab society in Israel. Workshops and meetings are conducted with government research departments and other data-generating bodies, The goal is to direct them to collect data that is gender sensitive and to mainstream gendered thinking. The Index makes it possible to demarcate transparent spaces of gender inequality. It serves as a policy compass for decision makers, government agencies and public bodies, as well as a vital tool for civil society