the use of gender statistics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the gender dimensions of poverty which in turn can significantly change priorities in policy and programme interventions klugman gender statistics can address multiple dimensions of poverty and inequality including genderbased asset inequality intrahousehold allocation of resources time poverty or vulnerability to external shocks understanding the gendered nature of poverty will significantly improve both the equity and efficiency of poverty reduction strategies klugman gender statistics have an important role in developing and monitoring policies on the reduction of violence against women