Whilst we know that important societal inequalities exist along sex and gender lines, it is unfortunately still rare that these are meaningfully factored into policymaking. The availability of the Census 2021 provides a once in a decade opportunity to explore gender inequalities in different domains of life across regions in England and Wales on the individual and household level.

If feminist organisations and activists can explore and analyse census data, we may be able to reveal previously underexplored differences and inequalities. We can use our findings to call for intersectional inequalities to be factored into the planning, budgeting, and delivery of public services, and to expose or prevent policy that discriminate on the basis of gender or other structural inequalities.

Together with the Women’s Budget Group, we put together a fact sheet explaining in more detail what the Census 2021 is and in which ways the data can be useful for grassroots organisations in gathering information about the lives, needs, and characteristics of women in their communities.