Harnessing the Power of Data to End Harmful Practices: A Free Online Course by UNICEF

Are you working to end harmful practices like child marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM)? Do you want to learn how to effectively use data to advocate for change? UNICEF’s Harnessing the Power of Data to End Harmful Practices course offers a valuable opportunity for practitioners and advocates across the globe to enhance their capacity in tracking, analyzing, and using data to fight these human rights violations.

This self-paced, online training is designed to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3: the global elimination of child marriage and FGM by 2030. Open to self-enrolment, the course empowers participants with tools to measure, interpret, and communicate data to foster stronger policies and community interventions.

Why This Course Matters

Child marriage and FGM are deeply rooted cultural practices that continue to affect millions of girls and women, depriving them of their health, education, and agency. Without robust data systems, these issues remain invisible in many communities, making effective response and advocacy difficult. UNICEF’s course provides a pathway for those involved in child protection to learn how to bridge the data gap and inform action.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to:

• Determine the types of data needed to understand and address harmful practices.

• Identify the indicators commonly used to monitor child marriage and FGM.

• Interpret and analyze statistical data to uncover trends and insights.

• Use data for awareness-raising and influencing key decision-makers.

The curriculum is designed to build practical knowledge and skills for a variety of data-related tasks, from needs evaluation to impact reporting. These are essential competencies for anyone involved in programming, advocacy, or policymaking.

Course Structure

The course is divided into eight comprehensive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of the data lifecycle:

1. Evaluating Data Needs – Understand how to determine what data is necessary for monitoring and intervention efforts.

2. Understanding Data Sources – Learn about the different types of data sources available and how to assess their relevance and reliability.

3. Assessing Data Quality and Filling Data Gaps – Gain the skills to evaluate existing datasets and strategies to fill critical information gaps.

4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data – Learn how to apply analytical techniques and make sense of complex datasets.

5. Visualizing Data – Understand how to transform data into compelling visual tools for communication.

6. Measuring Child Marriage – Deepen your understanding of the specific indicators used to measure child marriage rates and trends.

7. Measuring Female Genital Mutilation – Learn how FGM is quantified and the challenges in tracking its prevalence.

8. Using and Disseminating Data – Discover effective ways to use data in policy advocacy, community engagement, and reporting.

Who Should Enrol?

The course is primarily designed for practitioners working on child marriage and FGM, including professionals from:

• Government ministries

• Civil society organizations

• Partner UN agencies

• UNICEF staff and affiliates

Whether you’re a program manager, data analyst, or child protection officer, this course offers applicable knowledge for both technical and non-technical roles.

Learning Methodology

This course is self-paced and accessible anytime, anywhere, using computers or mobile devices. It incorporates engaging formats such as:

• Short video lessons

• Interactive activities

• Games and quizzes

• End-of-module assessments

Upon successfully completing all modules and assessments, learners will receive a certificate of completion, acknowledging their achievement and new competencies.

Duration and Time Commitment

The course includes eight modules, each requiring approximately three hours to complete. Learners can progress at their own pace, making it accessible to busy professionals across time zones.

How to Enrol

The course is open to self-enrolment. Simply visit the platform, register, and begin your learning journey immediately.

Support and Contact

• Technical support: For technical issues, submit a request through UNICEF’s Service Gateway.

• Content inquiries: For questions regarding course content, contact the UNICEF Child Protection and Development (CPD), Data Analysis and Innovation Unit at: cmurray@unicef.org.

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UNICEF’s Harnessing the Power of Data to End Harmful Practices course is a vital resource for those committed to ending child marriage and FGM. With a strong focus on practical skills and flexible learning, the course empowers advocates and professionals to leverage data for meaningful change.

If you’re passionate about advancing gender equality and protecting children’s rights, this course is a timely and essential investment in your personal and professional development.

For more information visit the Official enrolment page

For more opportunities, visit the Opportunities for Youth website