Source: World Economic Forum
Extract from Press Release
Over the last six years, while 85% of countries are improving their gender equality ratios, for the rest of the world the situation is declining, most notably in several African and South American countries. The sixth annual World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2011 shows a slight decline over the last year in gender equality rankings for New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom this year, while gains are made in Brazil, Ethiopia, Qatar, Tanzania and Turkey.
Selected Findings:
- Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) continue to hold top spots having closed over 80% of their gender gaps
- Women hold less than 20% of all national decision-making positions
- India ranks lowest on gender parity among the BRICS countries
- USA continues to improve, moves up two places
- UAE ranks highest in the Arab World with Saudi Arabia improving the fastest over past 6 years
- Gender gap worsening in Nigeria, Mali, Colombia, Tanzania and El Salvador over past 6 years
The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, assesses 135 countries, representing more than 93% of the world’s population, on how well resources and opportunities are divided amongst male and female populations. The Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria, and provides country rankings that allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups, and over time. The rankings are designed to create greater awareness among a global audience of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them. The methodology and quantitative analysis behind the rankings are intended to serve as a basis for designing effective measures for reducing gender gaps.
Click here to read the full report
Photo from Creative Commons: Flickr: jorge diaz1
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