The WHO convenes an independent group of experts, namely the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), which oversees and guides the methodological work described above, and supports the Inter-Agency Working Group on VAW Data and Estimates (IAWG), which is composed of all the co-custodians for SDG target 5.2 indicators, i.e. WHO, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNODC. In 2019, the second meeting of the TAG and IAWG was convened by WHO to discuss results from the estimates modeling exercise, finalize methodological approaches for estimates, strategize the country consultation process on the VAW estimates, discuss proposed changes to SDG Indicator 5.2.2 on NPSV and related methodological issues, and build consensus on a way forward for methodological work on violence against older women.
The TAG and IAWG also discussed suggested changes in the DHS Domestic Violence module to be recommended via the DHS 8 Consultation process; methodological work needed for the measurement of violence against adolescent girls as well as for the measurement of sexual harassment. The Joint Programme contributes to strengthening measurement through providing and convening a unique space for leading experts to articulate thinking and work together to advance the field of VAW research.
For the 2019 UN Secretary General’s report Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals, all co-custodian agencies of SDG target 5.2.1 indicator were convened by UN-Women to agree on the database, metadata revisions and storyline for the report. Comparable data from 106 countries on the prevalence of physical and/or sexual IPV against women and girls aged 15-49 in the last 12 months were extracted, and global and regional aggregates were also presented. Country survey inclusion criteria were: refer to women and girls aged 15-49; use standard comparable definitions of physical and sexual IPV and be nationally representative. These criteria, which have been considered to ensure comparability and produce regional and global aggregates without any adjustments or use of probabilistic methods, mean that the number of studies included is more limited and not all studies from a country are taken into account. The database maintained by WHO, includes more data points and data from more countries. It is expected that for the next round of reporting, the estimates calculated by WHO will be used to report on 5.2.1 indicator.