No country has yet achieved complete gender equality, although certain countries are making significant strides in closing the gender gap. This is according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which predicts that global gender inequality will persist until at least 2154. The report, called the Global Gender Gap Report, evaluates gender gaps across four dimensions: economic opportunities, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
For the 14th consecutive year, Iceland ranked at the top of the WEF’s list, followed by Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The report provides a list of the top 20 countries for women, according to the WEF.
In terms of the United States, its ranking dropped to 43rd out of 146 countries, compared to 27th in 2022. This change can be attributed to the WEF’s revised ranking methodology, which now emphasizes the presence of women in ministerial positions and as heads of state. The U.S. ranking takes into account the number of women serving in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, which currently stands at 12.
Unfortunately, American women still lag significantly behind their European counterparts in terms of political participation. Less than 30% of congressional seats in the U.S. are held by women. On the other hand, Nordic countries like Finland and Iceland have been commendable in electing several female heads of government.
The report highlights significant progress in global gender parity over the past year, particularly in the educational attainment gap and women’s political empowerment. Europe leads in gender parity with 76.3%, surpassing North America’s 75% gap closure. The success of European countries can be attributed to their investment in care infrastructure, including affordable child care, paid parental leave, and universal health care. These policies facilitate women’s participation in the workforce and alleviate financial burdens on families.
While the WEF did not consider access to reproductive care in its ranking, the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could negatively impact women’s economic participation and life expectancy in the U.S., potentially causing a further decline in its ranking.
Noreen Farrell, executive director of the non-profit Equal Rights Advocates, emphasizes that gender parity is not easily achieved in a short period. Overcoming the deeply rooted barriers to progress for women in the U.S. will take substantial time and effort.
In conclusion, the report highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality globally and emphasizes the need for continued efforts to close the gender gap. The success of countries like Iceland and Finland serves as models for others to follow.
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