Statistics departments seek better data systems to inform policy and

Tonga’s Statistics Department, in partnership with UNICEF, last week completed a workshop on processing Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7) data for participants from across the Pacific Islands to strengthen regional statistical capacity.

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) provide important data on health, nutrition, education and more to inform policies that support the most vulnerable. MICS is the world’s largest source of statistically reliable and internationally comparable data on women and children.

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Brek Batley, opened the event by highlighting the need for accurate data for effective decision making. Participants in the workshop included statisticians from Samoa, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia and Tonga. The workshop focused on preparing for national surveys and improving data collection and processing skills using CSPro and SPSS software. At the end of the workshop, participants had developed a draft CAPI system suitable for their national needs for implementing MICS7.

The project was developed by UNICEF, with support from UNFPA, in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), and Tonga conducted its first MICS during the 6th round of MICS in 2019, with the results to be released to the public in 2020.