Saint Lucia hosted the seventh global round of the MICS (Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys) program, which is critical for advancing developmental goals and improving welfare services in the social sector.
The MICS program, developed by UNICEF, represents a formidable international household survey initiative. MICS7, led by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is an essential initiative dedicated to collecting vital data on the well-being of women and children. The findings will provide decisive insights to guide policy decisions and improve social services for vulnerable populations.
The significance of this program in data collection and research was clearly articulated during the recent media launch for MICS7 in Saint Lucia.
“Since its inception in the early 1990s, MICS has ensured that children in Castries have access to clean running water and that girls in Vieux Fort have their rights to education protected,” stated Tashana Providence-Forde from UNICEF, Barbados.
Forde further emphasized the strengths of the program, which benefits community members across the island. “MICS empowers policymakers, civil society organizations, and development partners to make informed decisions. It enables us to chart progress, identify disparities, and allocate services where they are most needed.”
She underscored that MICS is a powerful tool for promoting equity, transparency, and evidence-based findings; and that UNICEF remains unwaveringly committed to supporting the government.
“Through MICS, we will build a Saint Lucia that is more just, inclusive, and resilient, ultimately improving the lives of every child in this country,” the UNICEF official added.
Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity and Social Justice, highlighted the program’s vital role, clarifying that it transcends a basic survey.
“MICS is a powerful tool that underscores inclusion and generates evidence-based findings. Funded globally by UNICEF, the MICS program is instrumental for nations assessing data on the protection, development, education, and health of women and children, and Saint Lucia is no exception.”
Dr. Emmanuel pointed out that this seventh round of MICS will continue the process of data gathering, evaluation, and refinement based on previous rounds, while also introducing new indicators. These new indicators align closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the overarching objectives of the ministry.
“MICS7 provides Saint Lucia with the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the risk vulnerabilities and living conditions faced by children, families, and communities, particularly those often underrepresented in national statistics,” Dr. Hippolyte asserted.
She acknowledged the indispensable contributions of UNICEF and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in this initiative.
Paul Hiliare, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Economic Development, affirmed that MICS is not merely a one-time project but an ongoing study that deeply investigates the lives of diverse populations over time.
He identified the key objectives of MICS7 in Saint Lucia, which include:
– Collecting dis-aggregated data to identify disparities and provide valuable information for assessing priorities within the social sector.
– Delivering critical data on the status of women and children in Saint Lucia.
A team of 15 enumerators has completed an intensive 10-day Paper and Pencil Interviewing (PAPI) Pre-Test Training exercise, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for the fieldwork of MICS7.
Organized by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the Central Statistical Office (CSO), this training enhances the quality and accuracy of data collection in Saint Lucia.
As enumerators transition into the field, the skills and expertise gained from this training will be instrumental to the success of MICS7. This initiative stands as a testament to Saint Lucia’s commitment to gathering high-quality data to inform evidence-based policies and improve the lives of its citizens.