While the United States entered the top twenty for the first time, Iceland remained the leader in gender equity according to a report from the World Economic Forum that was released last week.
Since 2005, the forum has ranked 134 countries for their reduction of gender disparities in economic participation, education, political empowerment and health over the previous year. Some of the ways the determine the results is by looking at life expectancy, access to jobs and education, number of women in government and high level decision making positions and pay.
Nordic countries lead the pack with Norway, Finland and Sweden coming in just behind Iceland to make up the top four. On the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan, Chad and Yemen continue to show no progress in reducing gender disparities. The most surprising country was France that slipped to 46th place from 18th last year.
The United States ranked 31 in 2009, but jumped up to 19th place this year. The leap forward was brought about in part due to larger numbers of women in high position within Obama’s administration.
Some of the countries making the fastest progress include Angola, Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates. Although there is still much work to be done, these countries as well as others in the lower half of the rankings seem to be taking gender equality more seriously.
Overall, the report showed that the majority of countries are making progress in reducing gender inequalities. When states make an investment in their women and girls they see a real return. Communities are physically healthier and the economy is boosted by the education and work contribution of women.
For more information check out this year’s Global Gender Gap Report at the World Economic Forum website.
Gee, big shock that women at the top can make a difference.