ABSTRACT
Evidence-based policy-making is an approach in public policy, by which policy decisions are based on objective evidence such as statistical data. Using the example of the Mito-city government, Japan, the chapter reviews the quest for gender statistics at a local municipality office in the context of evidence-based policy-making. The authors revealed a critical dearth of gender statistics and the systemic challenges that prevent the production and use of gender statistics at the city. Presenting some unique findings from a citizen survey conducted by the city in 2018, the authors argue the critical importance of having data at smaller administrative level in order to capture unique gender relations of citizens, and suggest to have its own data strategies and evidence base for policy-making. Investments in gender statistics would be an effective measure to improve local gender policy, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and the realization of sustainable, gender equal society.
