huffingtonpost.com - Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, speaks at the Advancing Asia Conference in New Delhi, India.

Data is “sexist,” and will remain so until we get accurate statistics on women and girls, according to Melinda Gates. Because there’s a lack of data on such issues as intimate partner violence and women’s economic contributions, governments and groups can’t identify where services are needed or assess which initiatives are working. To ensure that women are properly counted, and get appropriate services and recognition, The Gates Foundation is committing $80 million over the next three years to gathering robust and reliable data, Gates announced at the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen on Tuesday. “The hard reality is that in too many areas, data still doesn’t exist. And often, where it does exist, it’s sexist,” the humanitarian said during her address. “It misses women and girls entirely, or undercounts and undervalues their economic and social contributions.” The ambitious plan will involve collecting the data that was neglected in the past, improving the collection process and equipping decision makers with clearer evidence about programs that are effective.