Less Than 1% Women Live In Countries With Female Empowerment, Says UN

A recent report released by UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has busted a huge myth. The report showed that less than 1% of women and girls worldwide reside in a nation with high levels of women's empowerment and a negligible gender gap in sectors like health and education.

The study included 114 countries and was based on the twin indices of the Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI). More than 90% of the world's female population, or 3.1 billion women and girls, reside in nations with significant gender gaps and a lack of women's empowerment.

UN Report On Women Empowerment Index

Health, education, inclusion, decision-making, and violence against women are the five aspects that the Women's Empowerment Index (WEI) examines to determine how empowered and free women are to make decisions and take advantage of opportunities. The WEI only measures the power and independence of women.

According to WEI, the average level of empowerment for women throughout the world leads to them realizing only 60% of their true potential.

What is the Global Gender Parity Index?

The Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) measures gender gaps in important areas of human development, such as decision-making, inclusion, health, and education. The GGPI compares the positions of women and men in fundamental fields of development and highlights gender disparity.

As measured by the GGPI, women do worse than men on average in all major areas of human development, by 28%.

Areas That Require Action

The research noted the following areas where thorough policy action is required:

1. Health policies: Encourage long lives for everyone, with an emphasis on ensuring that each person has access to sexual and reproductive health care.

2. Education equality: Close skill and education quality disparities, particularly in STEM professions, to empower women and girls in the digital era.

3. Support for families and work-life balance: Invest in programs and services that address work-life balance, such as reasonably priced, high-quality child care, parental leave programs, and flexible work schedules.

4. Women's equal participation: Establish goals and plans of action to achieve gender parity in all areas of public life and repeal any discriminatory laws or rules that prevent women from participating fully.

5. Implement extensive, targeted steps to combat violence against women.

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