The gender data gap persists. While studies and indices provide information on gender inequalities and on food insecurity, there is no quantitative measure that directly looks at hunger and disempowerment. In an effort to close this gender data gap, and support efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2 (End hunger) and 5 (Achieve gender equality), the World Food Programme (WFP) and Gallup Inc, with statistical contributions from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), have collaborated to develop the Gender Equality for Food Security (GE4FS)
measure.
With global applicability, the GE4FS measure combines the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and a gender equality component. The gender equality component is made up of 18 mostly yes/no questions that cover five dimensions of empowerment: decision-making ability, financial self-sufficiency, freedom from violence, reproductive freedom and unpaid labour. The five empowerment dimensions were selected from a literature review and the expertise of a Technical Advisory Group. Administered through the Gallup World Poll, the GE4FS measure can be
implemented in any country, across populations aged 15 years and older.