Presenting gender statistics

 

MAKING USER-FRIENDLY CHARTS

 

Charts are useful as they highlight certain trends or differentials; they can complement or add to the information presented in tables but should not only repeat the information already provided in a table.

 

Charts make a stronger point than text or tables since the visualised information is generally better understood and appeals to a wider audience. Therefore, strong points are best made in charts, and special care is needed in drawing up the charts correctly.

 

In so doing, two basic principles should be followed:

• Charts must be attractive but should not be considered pictures that make a page more colourful. They should be prepared following basic technical rules and never be overcrowded with colours or drawings.
• Charts are used to make a point in the presentation and should "add" to the information presented in the tables and text.
• Charts should be included only when they enhance the presentation - they should not inflate the presentation.

The construction of charts for gender statistics follows the general rules of constructing statistical charts. Regardless of the complexity involved in determining the content of a graph, some important recommendations have to be kept in mind when preparing charts.

 

There is a variety of types of charts and we only present a few examples of the most important types for presenting gender statistics. However, the type of chart used depends on the point that should be made and on the kind of data used.