Women make it count

Statistics is one part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) framework. Science, and particularly, statistics, are at the core of FAO’s work, mandate and strategic goals. Statistics play a part in everything – from hunger and malnutrition to rural poverty, from food systems productivity to the sustainable use of natural resources or to climate change.

For the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Sunday 11 February, in addition to launching a film and a video news release about the work that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is doing to strengthen agricultural statistics and better support women statisticians in Africa – we highlighted some of FAO's statistical activities by speaking to some women statisticians at FAO headquarters to learn about the important work they are doing in their various roles and divisions.

As Aida Khalil, Statistics Division (ESS) explained, “Statistics tell us who we are, how we interact with others and the world, and provide us with tools to quantify our impact on the society, the environment, and the economy.”

Stefania Vannuccini, Senior Fishery Officer and Leader of the Statistics Team in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFISS) said, “[Statistics] allow you to develop critical thinking, make informed decisions, conduct research using the proper methods, evaluate outcomes and effectively present the results.” Sara Viviani (ESS) added, “also, more philosophically, they acknowledge the importance of error in knowledge and account for it.”

The Organization's statisticians are involved in a wide variety of important initiatives.

Sara continued, “I am responsible for the production and dissemination of food security statistics, in particular for SDG Indicator 2.1.2, Prevalence of food insecurity based on Food Insecurity Experience Scale.”

Silvia Missiroli (ESS) is involved in the steps of the agricultural survey implementation in several developing countries, “from the preparation of the sample of agricultural holdings by using probabilistic methods, to data-processing activities - cleaning, imputation, estimation.”

Their roles are diverse, but all of FAO's statisticians play an integral role in analysing, processing and communicating important data.

Priti Rajagopalan (ESS) explained, “In FAO, my main focus is utilising microdata to connect various aspects of rural livelihoods. This includes factors like employment, food security, education, land and natural resources, livestock, infrastructure, income, productivity, inequality, social protection, community characteristics, household traits, and shocks."

One important and ongoing initiative led by the Statistics Division is The Global Strategy to Improve Agriculture and Rural Statistics, a flagship capacity development statistical programme hosted by FAO.

Neli Georgieva Mihaylova (ESS) Senior Statistician explained, "Statistics also play a crucial role in decision making, allowing for an optimal use of the limited resources. That’s why investing in high-quality training of young statisticians is important for the development."

A component of this is the provision of scholarships for a Master in Agricultural Statistics, available to interested students across Africa. In 2023, 43% of these scholarship recipients were women. “More women in statistics means a wider range of ideas to draw on when tackling social and economic problems,” explained Nancy Chin (ESS), Leader of the Dissemination & Outreach Team.

One Ivorian woman, Daud, and many other students in the Ivory Coast are supported by FAO through these scholarships. After hearing why Daud first became interested in statistics, several of our colleagues also explained to us how their interest in statistics began.

“I’ve always liked numbers,” said Valérie Bizier (ESS), Senior Statistician in charge of Data and Statistics Coordination and Quality Assurance. “They allow us to better understand the world that is around us. I also like the challenge to translate in quantifiable concepts and measurements into very complex socioeconomic or environmental issues.”

Most of the statisticians we spoke with have always been intrigued by numbers. “Like a treasure hunting game, I found great interest in searching for answers amid sometimes conflicting data" said Eun Jeong Lee (ESS). Although, some developed their interests seemingly unexpectedly.

“As an Accidental Statistician, my foray into statistics took a unique path through engineering and quantitative economics,” said Priti Rajagopalan (ESS). “Classical music and mathematics formed an important part of my life, which further developed into an interest in identifying rhythms and patterns. This sparked my interest in exploring numerical data to uncover patterns that connect theory with real-world applications.”

In the experience of Ashley Steel, Forestry Officer in the Forestry Division (NFO), “My parents were very worried all the time about everything. I developed ways of thinking about risk to help me navigate all their concerns, and this made statistics quite intuitive.”

In divisions other than The Organization's Statistics Division, statistics also play a crucial role.

“People use [statistics] every day to draw attention to their messages. It is very important to provide good quality numbers and to be transparent, ensuring that people can interpret these data correctly,” said Orsolya Mikecz (NFISS) Fishery Officer.

Stefania Vannuccini (NFISS) further shared the importance of statistics in her sector. "The fisheries sector, in particular, is extremely complex and challenging to be effectively monitored. For example, landing sites can be many and very dispersed, with catches that can occur multiple times during a week.”

In the case of forestry, Ashley Steel (NFO) helps in her division to “maintain a global database of official statistics about forests.” In that role, she created a new methodology for estimating global wood fuel production. For her, “Statistics is the science of collecting observations in such a way as to best and most truthfully describe our world."

This International Day and beyond, we want to emphasise the importance of women and girls getting involved in STEM.

© FAO/GIULIO NAPOLITANO

© FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

So, why should women and girls take on roles in statistics?

“It is a relevant role involving different types of interactions, from science to programming to human relationships.” Sara Viviani, ESS.

“Women and girls engaging in statistics can contribute ultimately to make a difference in many areas and in shaping the world of tomorrow.” Valérie Bizier, ESS.

“We, as a discipline, need more exciting people to contribute to the discipline, communicate the value of data, explain the meaning of data, identify and correct logical flaws, and design better systems for understanding the world.” Ashley Steel, NFO.

“Women and girls, as well as men and boys, may have a powerful logical mindset that can be applied to study several social, economic and natural phenomena.” Silvia Missiroli, ESS.

“Do not fear a career in STEM. There are many before you who have paved the way and would offer you support along the journey.” Priti Rajagopalan, ESS.

“[Women] can bring different approaches to problem-solving, new ideas that foster creativity, and compensate any potential gender bias that may arise in data collection and analysis.” Orsolya Mikecz, NFISS.

“What I find to be of greater importance is ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities in terms of career development compared to men and boys, particularly in a context in which women continue to be underrepresented.” Adrienne Egger, NFISS.