The SDG 16 Data Initiative Report 2022 discusses the interlinkages between various SDG targets and the importance of high-quality data for policymaking. It assesses progress on access to information, respect for fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and equal access to justice, inclusive and accountable governance, and reducing lethal violence. The report also evaluates the progress towards the SDG 16 targets at the halfway point of the 2030 agenda. Also, it emphasizes the role of data as the driving force behind decision-making and offers essential insights into the status and well-being of the global community. Additionally, it highlights the challenges faced in data collection and capacity development efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key findings

• Progress towards SDG 16 has been uneven, with significant challenges in reducing violence, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring access to justice.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted data collection and capacity development efforts, making assessing progress towards SDG 16 difficult.
• Data on access to dispute resolution and unmet justice needs are limited, highlighting the need for improved data collection efforts in these areas.
• Data on the quality of public services, the effectiveness of public institutions, and the level of public trust in government are critical for assessing progress towards inclusive, accountable, and democratic governance.
• The Small Arms Survey’s Global Violent Deaths (GVD) database is a valuable tool for assessing progress towards reducing lethal violence, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by fragile and conflict-affected countries and societies experiencing high homicide rates.
• Targeted interventions and policies are needed to reduce lethal violence and create safer environments for communities affected by violence.
• It emphasizes the critical role of data in assessing progress towards SDG 16 and identifying emerging opportunities and barriers towards achieving the SDGs.

Overview

Chapter 1

Focuses on the interlinkages between various SDG targets and indicators. It highlights the importance of identifying and assessing the interlinkages between SDG targets and indicators for effective, sustainable development policymaking. It further emphasizes the need for high-quality data and trend analysis to identify interlinkages among various SDGs and, as a result, create synergies for meaningful implementation.

In addition, the chapter also discusses the persistent challenge of ‘siloed efforts’ for the 2030 Agenda. It indicates the importance of identifying the deep interlinkages or the ‘integrated and indivisible’ nature of the 2030 Agenda to avoid missed opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, less effective monitoring and evaluation, and, ultimately, less government accountability.

Chapter 2

Concentrates on assessing progress towards SDG Target 16.10, which importantly calls on states to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. To provide context, the chapter offers complementary data related to SDG Target 16.10, effectively highlighting trends related to violence against journalists, online gender-based harassment, freedom of information, and constitutional changes related to the right to information.

In particular, it analyzes trends related to violence against and harassment of journalists. Notably, it underscores the decline in the number of journalists killed since 2015, but counterintuitively, there have been significant increases in the area of journalist imprisonment. In addition, it also discusses trends related to online gender-based harassment and constitutional changes related to the right to information. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of data in unpacking interlinkages in a clear and accessible way. It further underscores the critical role of data in identifying emerging opportunities and barriers towards achieving SDG Target 16.10.

Chapter 3

Assesses progress towards SDG 16.3, which aims to strengthen the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. It underlines gaps in measuring access to dispute resolution and discusses unmet justice needs, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. The evaluation presented emphasizes that the challenges in data collection and capacity development efforts were significantly exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it extremely difficult for states and UN institutions to have official monitoring and evaluation mandates.

Furthermore, the chapter sheds light on the mixed trends and the crucial missing data needed to capture a complete picture of adequate protections and freedoms for media professionals. It discusses the need for data on threats and intimidation, gender-based threats, health risks, regional variation, and variation in risks to journalists within different types of conflict settings.

Chapter 4

Examines progress towards inclusive, accountable, and democratic governance, emphasizing the crucial role of the 2030 Agenda in guiding such progress. Unsurprisingly, the chapter underscores the importance of data in assessing progress towards SDG 16.6, which aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

During the discussion of the challenges met while measuring progress towards SDG 16.6, the section emphasizes the need for data about the quality of public services, the effectiveness of public institutions, and the level of public trust in government. Moreover, it accentuates the importance of data regarding the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes. Similarly, it also points out the need for data on the impact of corruption on development outcomes.

Chapter 5

Monitors the progress towards significantly reducing lethal violence, explicitly targeting SDG Target 16.1, which essentially aims to reduce multiple forms of violence. Interestingly, the chapter draws upon the Small Arms Survey’s Global Violent Deaths (GVD) database to underscore ongoing challenges faced by fragile and conflict-affected countries and societies experiencing high homicide rates.

In particular, it discusses the significant barriers to achieving SDG 16, especially in regions with high levels of violence. It emphasizes the importance of data in understanding and addressing these challenges. Furthermore, it underscores the need for targeted interventions and policies to reduce lethal violence and create safer environments for communities affected by violence.

Chapter 6

Evaluates progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) as the world notably approaches the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda. This chapter thoughtfully reflects on the achievements and challenges in advancing peace, justice, and strong global institutions. Regarding key points covered, the chapter first evaluates progress towards achieving the targets set under SDG 16, highlighting advancements and areas where significant challenges persist. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of data analysis in understanding peace, justice, and governance trends and how data-driven insights can inform policy decisions and interventions.

Thirdly, it discusses regional variations in achieving SDG 16 targets, recognizing that progress may vary across geographical areas and contexts. Fourthly, it addresses gender disparities and the impact of violence and discrimination on women and marginalized groups, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive approaches in advancing SDG 16. Finally, it outlines policy implications and recommendations for stakeholders to accelerate progress towards SDG 16. This point emphasizes the importance of inclusive governance, access to justice, and reducing violence for sustainable development.