Countries with the best GEI performance, 2007

Equity as policy

Nordic countries that have implemented affirmative action to eliminate gender inequalities occupy the upper GEI positions with higher equity levels. However, Rwanda is also amongst the top 10 countries, which demonstrates that it is not necessary to achieve high levels of economic growth or industrialization in order to implement effective policies that generate more equity.

Countries with the best GEI performance, 2007

Countries with the worst GEI performance, 2007

The geography of inequity

GEI values range from 31 (Yemen) to 89 (Sweden). A majority of countries with the worst performance in relation to gender inequality are from Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Countries with the worst GEI performance, 2007

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GEI average values by region

The geography of inequity

GEI performance by region has North America in first place (74), Europe second (72), Latin America and the Caribbean third (65) and East Asia and the Pacific fourth (62). The regions with the lowest GEI values are, in descending order, Central Asia (60), Sub-Saharan Africa (54), South Asia (52) and the Middle East and North Africa (48). The GEI trends show that although North America has the highest GEI values it is the region that has most regressed in recent years.

GEI average values by region

GEI average values in relation to country income levels

The geography of inequity

Reading Table 7 we could say that a country's wealth is related to its level of gender inequality. However, upper-middle income countries have higher average GEI values than high-income countries that do not belong to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This may indicate the survival of inequitable social structures in countries with significant economic growth, such as several Arab countries. This data suggests that the modification of inequitable situations does not fundamentally depend on economic development but rather on the transformation of cultural patterns and power distribution.

GEI average values in relation to country income levels

GEI dimension values: the 10 least equitable countries

Education and empowerment: decisive factors

In the least equitable countries the most inequitable dimension is empowerment, in which can be found situations such as that in Yemen where the value is seven.

GEI dimension values: the 10 least equitable countries

GEI dimension values: the 10 most equitable countries

Education and empowerment: decisive factors

Amongst the 10 countries with the highest GEI values the dimension with the greatest equity is education, where (except for Rwanda) the values are at, or close to, 100 (perfect equity). 

GEI dimension values: the 10 most equitable countries

GEI percentage variation by geographical region (2004-2007)

Nearly insignificant progress

During the 2004-2007 period the general gender equity trend was for limited or non-existent progress. Three regions registered progress: in first place, Latin America and the Caribbean, second Europe and third the Middle East and North Africa, but in all cases progress measured less than 6%. East Asia and the Pacific along with Sub-Saharan Africa registered almost insignificant variations. Three regions suffered GEI regression: South Asia, Central Asia and North America. North America registered the most significant gender equity regression, basically because the United States' GEI performance fell by 7%. 

GEI percentage variation by geographical region (2004-2007)

GEI percentage variation by income group (2004-2007)

Income and equity are not directly related

Examining the variations in relation to income levels we find that low-income countries have not progressed. However, the differences between countries with high, middle and lower-middle incomes are not significant, which confirms that the relation between a country's income and gender equity is not direct. 

GEI percentage variation by income group (2004-2007)

GEI values in 2007

Inequity: a problem both current and global

An analysis of the 2007 general values reveals first of all that the gender gap persists in all countries of the world!

GEI values in 2007

*For these countries, GEI was calculated using the gaps in gross primary and secondary education enrolment rates as there was a lack of data on net rates. For methodological reasons GEI trends were not calculated in these cases.

Gender Equity Index (GEI) 2007 - FLASH VERSION

GEI 2007 - flash version

Key measures and areas of action

To promote gender equity, there are
key measures and areas of action:

Legislative reform is an effective strategy for the promotion of women and girls’ autonomy and for safeguarding their rights. Mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender related violence are necessary. Governments should apply existing laws, promote new laws and address common law legislation that discriminates against women.

The allocation of new resources to achieve gender equity.
Equitable and effective investment is essential for the elimination of gender-based discrimination. More resources should be made available, they should be appropriately used and be integrated into government budgets and plans.

Guaranteeing that men and women have the same educational opportunities is one of the most effective measures in the fight against gender-based discrimination. The educational curriculum should emphasize the importance of gender equality and pro-male prejudices in the classroom should be addressed.

Affirmative action policies are an effective way of guaranteeing progress towards gender equity. In particular, quotas enable women to overcome obstacles that hinder their participation in political life. Of the 20 countries in the world that have the most women in Parliament, 17 employ some type of quota system.

Social Watch Gender Equity Index

Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

GEI values in 2007

Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

Inequity: a problem both current and global

Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

*For the measurement of GEI trends necessary values were imputed in order to ensure comparability.

Social Watch Gender Equity Index

Gender equity is a complex, multifaceted concept and is difficult to measure. With the objective of making a contribution to the debate and to the consistent monitoring of women’s situation, Social Watch has developed a Gender Equity Index. This index makes it possible to position and classify countries according to a selection of indicators relevant to gender inequity and based on internationally available and comparable information.

GEI classifies 154 countries and conclusively verifies that in no country do women enjoy the same opportunities as men, that high income levels are not necessary for the elimination of gender disparities and that although over the years some aspects of women’s situation have improved their opportunities in economic and political areas are still clearly limited.

The three dimensions included in GEI are: economic activity, empowerment and education. The index’s range of values is from 0 to 100, with lower values indicating greater inequity and higher values greater equity.

Sweden, Finland, Rwanda and Norway occupy the highest positions in the 2007 GEI. These countries register the least inequality between women and men. This good performance has been achieved by the application of affirmative action policies, particularly for political quota legislation and labour market equity.

GEI presents information on 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 36 in Europe, 28 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 19 in the Middle East and North Africa, 18 in East Asia and the Pacific, 6 in Central Asia, 5 in South Asia and 2 in North America. Together these countries represent more than 90% of the world’s population.

GEI was created in 2004. Here we present trends during the 2004-2007 period as well as the latest available data on individual countries.

The 10 countries with the greatest GEI progress

Income and equity are not directly related

Measuring variation as a percentage, the countries that registered most progress during this period were: in first place Rwanda, followed by Ecuador, Cape Verde and Guatemala 

The 10 countries with the greatest GEI progress

Some key area measures for the promotion of gender equity are: education initiatives; gender sensitive finance and budgeting; and affirmative action legislation and policies.

Income and equity are not directly related
Examining the variations in relation to income levels we find that low-income countries have not progressed. However, the differences between countries with high, middle and low-middle incomes are not significant, which confirms that the relation between a country’s income and gender equity is not direct.

The 10 countries with the greatest GEI regression

Income and equity are not directly related

The country that has most regressed during this period is Angola (21%) and Turkey (13%). Amongst the 10 countries that most regressed are ones with a low, lower-middle, upper-middle and high income, for example in the latter category the United States

The 10 countries with the greatest GEI regression

Income and equity are not directly related

Examining the variations in relation to income levels we find that low-income countries have not progressed. However, the differences between countries with high, middle and low-middle incomes are not significant, which confirms that the relation between a country’s income and gender equity is not direct.

RWANDA

Why does Rwanda occupy such a high GEI position? Its surprisingly good performance is related to the recent implementation of affirmative action policies involving legally binding regulations, sometimes of a constitucional nature, designed to promote change in social factors, including structural ones. The following are examples of rapid changes that have taken place in this country over recent years: 30% of decision-making related positions were assigned to women; local funds and micro-credits were provided for production projects led by women; in 2003 Article 187 of the new Rwandan Constitution formalised equity promotion structures such as the National Council of Women; a Gender Issues Monitoring Office was created, to facilitate the participation of women in public life and to ensure that development initiatives are egalitarian in generating benefits for both sexes. As a result of these changes many women entered public life as political leaders. In the Chamber of Deputies seats held by women increased to 48.8%. There was also a significant increase in the participation of women at ministerial and local government levels. The most interesting conclusion to be made is that a high level of economic development is not necessary in order to implement effective gender inequity reduction measures. GEI Rwanda Empowerment Gaps Professionals and Technicians Gap Managers and Directors Gap Parliamentarians Gap Ministerial Gap Empowerment gender gap 2004 no data no data 96 05 50 2007 no data no data 95 67 81    Economic activity Gaps Activity rate gap Income gap Economic activity gender gap 2004 88 no data 88 2007 95 74 85   Education Gaps Literacy gap Primary enrolment gap Secondary enrolment gap Tertiary enrolment gap Education gender gap 2004 96 89 no data 50 78 2007 98 100 no data 62 87 key measures and areas of action Social Watch Gender Equity Index Recent GEI trends (2004-2007) GEI values in 2007

Gender Equity Index - Progress and Regression