BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NEWS

Hausmann, R; Tyson L D; Zahidi S. The global gender gap report 2006. Ginebra: World Economic Forum, 2006.

In May 2005, the World Economic Forum launched its first study attempting to assess the size of the gender gap in 58 countries using economic-, educational,- healthand political-based criteria. The Global Gender Gap Report 2006, the second in the series, contains a unique new methodology to create the Gender Gap Index 2006.

The index covers over 115 economies, including all current and candidate European Union (EU) countries, 20 from Latin America and the Caribbean, over 20 from sub-Saharan Africa and 10 from the Arab world. Together, the 115 countries cover over 90% of the world’s population. Merging publicly available data from international organizations and unique survey data from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey, the study assesses the level of equality between women and men.

We find that no country in the world has yet managed to eliminate the gender gap.Those that have succeeded best in narrowing the gap are the Nordic countries, with Sweden standing out as the most advanced in the world, having closed over 80% of its gender gap, followed closely by Norway (2), Finland (3), Iceland (4) and Denmark (8). Germany (5), United Kingdom (9) and Ireland (10) all hold spots in the top ten.The Philippines (6) is distinctive for being the only Asian country in the top ten while South Africa (18) holds the highest position among the African countries covered by the Report. Latvia (19) and Lithuania (21) are some of the new EU members that rank high, but remain behind Spain (11) and the Netherlands (12). Both New Zealand (7) and Australia (15) are leaders in closing the gender gap. At the other end of the rankings, Greece (69), France (70), Malta (71) and Italy (77) have the lowest rankings in the EU.The United States (22) falls behind many European nations in addition to lagging behind Canada (14). Russia (49), China (63) and Brazil (67) occupy the middle of the rankings.The lowest ranks are occupied by some of the most populous developing countries such as Nigeria (94), India (98) and Iran (108) in addition to Arab world countries such as
Egypt (109), Saudi Arabia (114) and Yemen (115). The country comparisons are meant to serve a dual purpose: as a benchmark to identify existing strengths and weaknesses; and as a useful guide for policy, based on learning from the experiences of those countries that have had greater success in promoting the equality of women and men.

The index quantifies the gender gap within the four critical categories— economic-, educational-, political and health- based criteria—thus highlighting the priority areas for reform. Finally, the Country Profiles in Part II of this Report provide an overview of the national gender related environment in each country. They transparently represent the original data that feed into the index, in addition to other variables that encapsulate the legal and social aspects of the gender gap.

Each profile contains detailed information on over 30 gender-related variables. We hope the profiles will serve as a tool for policymakers as they define their national priorities, in addition to aiding business and civil society.

Gender Gap Index 2006: Methodology
Background

Gender-based inequality is a phenomenon that transcends the majority of the world’s cultures, religions, nations and income groups. In most societies, the differences and inequalities between women and men are manifest in the
responsibilities each are assigned, in the activities they undertake, in their access to and control over resources
and in decision-making opportunities. In recent history, however, there has been increased recognition that genderbased discrimination prevents societies as a whole, women and men, from reaching their full potential.

Equality between women and men (gender equality) refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys. This entails that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities not depend on whether they are born male or female and that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration. Furthermore, there is increasing acceptance that gender equality is not a women’s
issue, but should concern and fully engage men as well as women, since equality between women and men is seen both as a human rights issue and as a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable peoplecentred development.

Complete document: http://www.weforum.org/pdf/gendergap/report2006.pdf

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