The 2013 World gender gap index, produced by the World Economic Forum, reveals gender inequalities across the world. Out of 136 countries Iceland has received the highest ranking in terms of having the smallest gender gap, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Philippines. Yemen is at the bottom of the index. The report published with the index details what the rankings are based on.
“What can be measured can be addressed,” says Saadia Zahidi from World Economic Forum. “That’s the point of the global gender gap index.”
The index was introduced in 2006 in order to provide a tool to describe and address gender gaps in the world. It measures national gender gaps based on criteria within economic participation, political empowerment, education and health. The ranking of countries is meant to raise awareness surrounding gender gaps and issues caused by them.
Across the world, 96% of health gaps, 93% of education gaps, 60% of economic participation gaps and 21% of political empowerment gaps have been closed. “We are making progress, but very slowly,” says Saadia Zahidi.
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