14 Years of Impact. A Trusted Partnership. A Shared Vision for Gender Equality.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC, February 17, 2026 — Data2X and Open Data Watch announced today that they are joining forces to integrate Data2X programs in a new strategic partnership that will drive further solutions in the global use and impact of gender data.
The partnership will shift Data2X’s gender data work and integrate it into Open Data Watch’s broader data systems efforts to better inform policies and improve outcomes for women and girls worldwide.
Since its founding in 2012 at the United Nations Foundation, Data2X has worked closely with Open Data Watch. Together with partners across the global data ecosystem, the two organizations have transformed how the world measures and advances gender equality. This formal alignment represents a natural progression of an enduring collaboration, positioning the gender data agenda for greater reach and technical rigor.
“From the beginning, Data2X has worked to make gender data essential—not optional,” said Krista Jones Baptista, Executive Director of Data2X. “Data2X’s transition to Open Data Watch is a powerful next chapter for our work: embedding gender considerations more deeply across the broader data ecosystem and strengthening the enabling environment for gender data through strong partnerships—from production and access to use and impact. Our goal remains the same: ensuring gender and inclusive data drives accountability and action.”
Data2X has played a central role in shaping the global gender data agenda—identifying critical data gaps, developing widely used frameworks, and mobilizing political will and investment across the development community. Through research, advocacy, and partnerships with governments, national statistical offices, international institutions, and the UN system, the organization has helped expand the availability and use of high-quality gender data worldwide.
“This partnership is more than an organizational merger—it’s a strategic step to embed gender data more deeply across the broader data ecosystem in which Open Data Watch works,” said Shaida Badiee, Managing Director of Open Data Watch.
Open Data Watch brings deep expertise at the intersection of open data and official statistics. The organization supports institutional change in data systems around the world, working to ensure these systems not only inform policy and track progress, but also reflect and respect the people they are meant to serve.
“Lasting progress depends on integrating gender considerations throughout the data value chain—from collection and governance to access and use—rather than treating gender data as a stand-alone effort. At Open Data Watch, we are committed to carrying forward Data2X’s legacy and working with partners to strengthen gender-responsive, inclusive data systems that drive better decisions and better outcomes for women and girls,” Badiee added.
Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the partnership will sustain ongoing initiatives, strengthen support to national statistical systems, and deepen engagement with governments, civil society, and international organizations. Data2X’s programs, partnerships, and technical contributions will continue as part of Open Data Watch’s broader efforts to advance open, inclusive, and trustworthy data systems.
Together, Data2X and Open Data Watch will expand collaboration across the global data community, strengthen gender-responsive data practices, and help ensure that gender data informs policies, investments, and accountability efforts worldwide.
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For more information, please contact:
Krista Jones Baptista
Executive Director, Data2X
[email protected]
Shaida Badiee
Managing Director, Open Data Watch
[email protected]
About Data2X
Data2X is a global initiative dedicated to improving the production, availability, and use of gender data to drive better policies and outcomes for women and girls. Data2X works with partners across governments, international institutions, and civil society to identify data gaps, strengthen gender data systems, and elevate gender data in global policy and investment decisions. The initiative has been housed at the United Nations Foundation since 2012.
About Open Data Watch
Open Data Watch is an international nonprofit organization that works with governments, international institutions, and civil society to strengthen open, inclusive, and trustworthy data systems. Through research, technical assistance, and partnerships, Open Data Watch supports better data for better decisions—advancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable development worldwide.