Equality Measurement Framework

The Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner is working to ensure a more equal and fairer society that is respectful of everyone’s rights. In order to advise the government and other duty-bearers on how to respect the principle of equality and promote equality between men and women, an in-depth overview of the situation and opportunities of people belonging to different groups in society is needed. For example, what is the situation of native Russian speakers on the Estonian job market? What are the health indicators for men over 50 and how good is their access to medical care? Can a young disabled person be successful in the Estonian educational system? The desire to measure the situation and welfare of people in different groups within society is based on the premise that belonging to different social groups significantly affects a person’s opportunities to be successful and to shape his or her own life.

Differences in the welfare, success, opportunities, resources, etc., of men and women in Estonia have been assessed and analysed in numerous different studies. Similarly, data that is periodically collected and analysed by Statistics Estonia provide an overview of the situation of people in various age groups, persons with disabilities or partial capacity for work and persons of different ethnic origin in various areas of life. However, these tend to be single studies with differing methodologies, which means that currently there is no measurement of equality in Estonia that can be compared over time.

In 2015, the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner will develop a methodology that can be used to periodically measure equality and inequality. The measurement framework must indicate the situation, possible disadvantaged position, welfare, access to various advantages, services and opportunities for success of different groups in society. The theoretical basis for the model is the Equality Measurement Framework developed by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the subsequent study “How fair is Britain?” conducted on the basis of this framework.

The framework will consist of a list of indicators in different areas of life (education, work, health, etc.). Data will be analysed and conclusions drawn for the following groups: women, men and transsexuals, different age groups, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, native Russian speakers and other ethnic minorities.

A call for tenders will be conducted to develop the framework.

Development of the framework will be funded through the Norway Grants 2009-2014.

Norway Grants