Developing Key Indicators of ‘Fairness’ : Competing Frameworks, Multiple Strands and Ten Domains – an Array of Statistics

Walby, Sylvia and Armstrong, Jo (2011) Developing Key Indicators of ‘Fairness’ : Competing Frameworks, Multiple Strands and Ten Domains – an Array of Statistics. Social Policy and Society, 10 (2). pp. 205-218. ISSN 1475-3073

Abstract

This article argues that it is possible to develop key indicators to assess the broad agenda of ‘fairness’, even in the context of competing frameworks (e.g. equality, capabilities), multiple equality strands (gender, race/ethnicity, disability, age, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender identity and social class) and several domains (e.g. health, education). Indicators are required to summarise complex statistical information to make it accessible to a wide audience. Methods for selecting indicators are discussed: identifying overlaps in frameworks, finding commonalities and applying quality criteria. Synthesising in this way enables identification of ‘key indicators’ of equality, including: intimate partner violence, risk of poverty and pay gaps.