Topic 1 Where are we today ? Gender Equality Index 2020

UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile  Mlambo-Ngcuka stated that no country has  achieved gender equality, adding that  “Equality isn’t just one quarter of the seats at  the tables of power.. Only half is an equal  share and only equal is enough”.

How much progress have we made?

  • The gender gap in education is being closed

  • Child marriage and female genital mutilation(FGM) have declined in recent years

  • There are now more girls in school than ever before

  • Fewer women are dying in childbirth

  • The proportion of women in parliaments has doubled across the world

  • Over the past decade, 131 countries have passed laws to support women’s equality.

World Bank 2011

BUT!

  • Gender gaps in employment pay, care, power and pensions still exist.

  • Levels of gender discrimination increases with gender stereotypes, promoting sexist hate speech, abuse and harassment.