a basic descriptive analysis of data involves the calculation of simple measures of composition and the distribution of variables by sex and for each sex that facilitate straightforward genderfocused comparisons between different groups of population depending upon the type of data these measures may be proportions rates ratios or averages for example furthermore when necessary such as in the case of sample surveys measures of association between variables can be used to decide whether the differences observed for women and men are statistically significant or not percentages ratios rates or averages are the basis for the calculation of gender indicators