A new global report, launched by UN Women and UNDP at the Women Deliver Conference, highlights the challenges in achieving gender parity and women’s empowerment worldwide. The report introduces two indices – Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) – as tools to assess progress in women’s human development.
Restricted Power and Freedom for Women
The analysis of 114 countries indicates that women’s power and freedom to make choices and seize opportunities remain largely restricted. Low women’s empowerment and significant gender gaps are common.
The Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI)
Country | Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) | Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) |
---|---|---|
United States | 73.5% | 78.2% |
United Kingdom | 76.9% | 77.6% |
India | 53.2% | 60.8% |
Brazil | 65.8% | 71.3% |
China | 62.4% | 68.1% |
Germany | 80.5% | 80.9% |
France | 75.1% | 76.4% |
South Africa | 61.3% | 63.9% |
Japan | 68.7% | 72.5% |
Canada | 78.3% | 79.1% |
- The WEI measures women’s power and freedoms across dimensions like health, education, inclusion, decision-making, and violence against women.
- Globally, women achieve only 60% of their full potential, as measured by the WEI.
The Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI)
- The GGPI evaluates women’s status relative to men in core dimensions of human development, including health, education, inclusion, and decision-making.
- On average, women achieve 72% of what men do, reflecting a 28% gender gap.
Concerning Findings and Call for Action
- Less than 1% of women and girls live in countries with both high women’s empowerment and gender parity.
- More than 90% of the female population lives in countries with significant empowerment deficits and gender gaps.
The Role of the Indices
The WEI and GGPI serve as tools for policymakers, providing evidence for progress and guiding action towards women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Accelerating Progress and Achieving SDGs
The report’s findings are vital for the stock-taking moment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Policymakers, stakeholders, and communities can use these indices to advance towards a more equitable and inclusive world.
About UN Women and UNDP
UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and empowering women, while UNDP is leading efforts to combat poverty, inequality, and climate change globally.
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