Global Gender Gap Report:

Several crises have led to a halt in efforts to achieve global equality between the sexes. In Norway, things are still moving forward.

At the current rate, it will take 131 years before the world reaches full gender equality, according to this year’s report. Global Gender Gap Report
from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Gender equality has improved by 0.3 percent in the past year, and WEF Director Saadia Zahidi cited the lack of progress as a reason to take urgent action.

– Recent years have been marked by great progress in equality in the world. Progress achieved previously was hampered by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on women and girls in education and working life, followed by the economic and political crisis, he wrote.

Norway is second best

The report measures gender equality in 146 countries in four areas: economic participation, opportunity, education and political empowerment. Since the first edition of this report in 2006, the gender gap has decreased by 4.1 percent.

Like last year, Iceland tops the list, and is also the only country deemed equal by the WEF by more than 90 percent. Norway surpassed Finland in second place, with a gender equality rate of 87.9 percent – ​​an increase of 3.4 percent.

Norway is followed by Finland, New Zealand and Sweden – the latter’s score has fallen by 0.7 percent. Germany, Nicaragua, Namibia, Lithuania and Belgium make up the top 10, while Denmark is ranked 23rd.

It took 169 years to achieve economic equality

America fell in 43rd place, China in 107th place. Unsurprisingly, Afghanistan is at the back of the list.

Although overall equality could be achieved in “only” 131 years compared to the current pace, it would take a full 169 years to achieve economic equality and 162 years to achieve political equality. But in terms of education, the world is already on the right track, and at the current rate, it will take 16 years before we can achieve the same.

– Faster progress towards gender equality will not only improve the conditions of women and girls, but also have a positive impact on the economy and society in a broader perspective, writes Saadia Zahidi.

(© NTB)