Gender Equity Index (GEI) 2007

Publication_year: 
2007
Annual report: 
Yes
Summary: 
The results of the 2007 Social Watch Gender Equity Index (GEI) clearly demonstrate that a country’s level of wealth does not automatically determine its degree of equity. Rwanda, one of the world’s least developed countries, ranks third on the list of GEI scores, after Sweden and Finland, thanks to intensive affirmative action efforts. In the meantime, a number of high-income countries rank far down on the list. The evolution of the GEI between 2004 and 2007 reveals a few global advances, but the general trend seen throughout the world is either very slow progress or no progress at all. The United States, a high-income country, is one of the 10 countries that have experienced the greatest regression. Obviously, the key to gender equity lies not in a country’s economic power, but rather in its government’s political will.

The results of the 2007 Social Watch Gender Equity Index (GEI) clearly demonstrate that a country’s level of wealth does not automatically determine its degree of equity. Rwanda, one of the world’s least developed countries, ranks third on the list of GEI scores, after Sweden and Finland, thanks to intensive affirmative action efforts. In the meantime, a number of high-income countries rank far down on the list. The evolution of the GEI between 2004 and 2007 reveals a few global advances, but the general trend seen throughout the world is either very slow progress or no progress at all. The United States, a high-income country, is one of the 10 countries that have experienced the greatest regression. Obviously, the key to gender equity lies not in a country’s economic power, but rather in its government’s political will.

 

More GEI 2007 | Gender Equity Index 2007 | Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

The Gender Equity Index (GEI) has been developed by the Social Watch Research Team to measure inequities in different areas of women's and men's everyday lives around the world.

The 2007 GEI ranks 154 countries by measuring women's relative economic activity, education and empowerment. This year's GEI report additionally focuses on progress or regression in achieving gender equity over the 2004-2007 period. The relevant data have also been analyzed regionally.

 

FOR THE PRESS

Download Press Release

Contacts/Spokespeople:

Roberto Bissio
Social Watch Coordinator
Mobile: +33 6 89 50 79 46
E-mail: item@item.org.uy

Emily Joy Sikazwe
Social Watch Coordinating Committee Member
Mobile: +260 9777 0886
E-mail: emily_sikazwe@yahoo.com

Genoveva Tisheva
Social Watch Coordinating Committee Member
Phone: +3592 9635357
In NY: +1 212 755 3000
E-mail: gtisheva@yahoo.com

 


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Countries with the best GEI performance, 2007

Annual report: 
Yes

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

Country

GEI

Sweden

89

Finland

84

Rwanda

84

Norway

83

Germany

80

Barbados

80

Denmark

79

Iceland

79

New Zealand

78

Netherlands

77

Countries with the worst GEI performance, 2007

Annual report: 
Yes

 

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

 

Country

GEI

Saudi Arabia

42

Pakistan

42

Morocco

42

Benin

41

Central African Republic

41

Togo

41

Chad

41

Sierra Leone

39

Côte d'Ivoire

39

Yemen

31

DOWNLOAD GEI2007 DOC

Annual report: 
Yes
AttachmentSize
GEI2007.doc324 KB
Region: 
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GEI average values by region

Annual report: 
Yes

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

Region

GEI

North America

74

Europa

72

Latin America and the Caribbean

65

East Asia and the Pacific

62

Central Asia

60

Sub-Saharan Africa

54

South Asia

52

Middle East and North Africa

48

 

Region: 
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GEI average values in relation to country income levels

Annual report: 
Yes

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

 

Groups of countries by income

IEG

High income countries

73

Upper-middle income countries

64

High income countries (non OECD)

62

Lower-middle income countries

60

Low income countries

54

 

Region: 
left

GEI dimension values: the 10 least equitable countries

Annual report: 
Yes

 

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

 

Country

EDUCATION

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

EMPOWERMENT

GEI

Saudi Arabia

96

19

13

42

Pakistan

74

34

19

42

Morocco

85

29

12

42

Benin

52

56

16

41

Central African Republic

43

70

11

41

Togo

57

50

17

41

Chad

39

75

9

41

Sierra Leone

52

53

14

39

Côte d'Ivoire

62

38

17

39

Yemen

52

35

7

31

 

Region: 
left

GEI dimension values: the 10 most equitable countries

Annual report: 
Yes

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

 

 

Country

EDUCATION

ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY

EMPOWERMENT

GEI

Sewden

100

84

84

89

Finland

100

79

75

84

Rwanda

87

85

81

84

Norway

100

81

67

83

Germany

99

67

75

80

Barbados

100

83

58

80

Denmark

100

79

59

79

Iceland

99

79

58

79

New Zealand

100

76

57

78

Netherlands

100

70

63

77

 

Region: 
left

GEI percentage variation by geographical region (2004-2007)

Annual report: 
Yes

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)

 

Region

GEI 2004 - 2007:
Percentage variation

Latin America and the Caribbean

5.13

Europa

2.52

Middle East and North Africa

2.23

Sub-Saharan Africa

0.86

East Asia and the Pacific

-0.33

South Asia

-2.62

Central Asia

-3.29

North America

-4.37

Region: 
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GEI percentage variation by income group (2004-2007)

Annual report: 
Yes

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)

Income group

GEI 2004 - 2007: Percentage variation

High Income

3.21

High Income (no OECD)

3

Upper-Middle Income

1.32

Lower-Middle Income

2.78

Low Income

-0.27

Region: 
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GEI values in 2007

Annual report: 
Yes

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

Country

GEI 2007

Sweden

89

Finland

84

Rwanda 

84

Norway

83

Germany* 

80

Barbados 

80

Denmark

79

Iceland 

79

New Zealand 

78

Netherlands 

77

Lithuania 

77

Spain 

77

Australia

76

Philippines

76

Latvia

76

Bahamas

75

Canada 

75

Colombia 

75

Moldova

74

United Kingdom

74

Bulgaria 

74

Estonia

74

Belgium 

74

United Estates of America

74

Croatia

73

Thailand

73

Israel 

73

Portugal 

73

Brazil 

73

Austria*

72

Namibia

72

Ecuador

72

Poland

72

Ukraine

72

Tanzania 

72

Slovenia

72

Russia

71

Romania

71

Hungary

70

Slovakia* 

70

Argentina

70

South Africa 

70

Hong Kong (China)

70

Panama

69

Ireland 

69

El Salvador

69

Trinidad and Tobago

69

Czech Republic*

69

Macedonia

68

Uruguay*

68

Bolivia

68

Switzerland

67

Venezuela

67

Greece

67

Cuba 

66

Mongolia 

66

Costa Rica 

66

Belarus

66

Botswana 

66

Suriname 

66

Viet Nam 

66

Cyprus

65

Georgia

65

Mozambique 

65

Peru 

65

Dominican Republic

65

Uganda 

64

Kazakhstan

64

Maldives

64

France 

64

Burundi

63

Italy

63

Azerbaijan

62

Lesotho

62

Belize

62

Madagascar 

62

Chile

62

Paraguay* 

61

China

61

Jamaica

61

Honduras 

61

Cape Verde 

61

Mexico 

61

Cambodia

61

St Vincent and Granadines

60

Japan

60

Kenya

60

Luxembourg

60

Malawi 

60

Guyana 

60

Malta

59

Malaysia

58

Sri Lanka

58

Ghana

58

Armenia

58

Zambia 

58

Kyrgyzstan 

57

Albania

57

Korea, Rep. 

56

Zimbabwe 

56

Vanuatu

56

Fiji 

56

St Lucia

56

Senegal

55

Mauritius 

54

Iran

54

Laos

53

Indonesia

53

Guinea 

52

Angola 

52

Mali

52

Bangladesh 

52

Nicaragua

52

Gabon

51

Ethiopia

51

Samoa

51

Tunisia 

51

Guatemala

50

Gambia 

50

Sao Tomé and Principe

50

Solomon Islands 

50

Burkina Faso 

50

Guinea-Bissau

49

West Bank and Gaza 

49

Swaziland

49

Kuwait 

49

Syria

48

Djibouti  

48

United Arab Emirates

48

Qatar

48

Algeria

48

Lebanon 

48

Congo DRl* 

47

Turkey 

47

Niger

47

Jordan 

47

Cameroon*

47

Bahrain

46

Egypt

45

Nigeria

45

Eritrea

45

Congo, Rep.*

44

Nepal

44

Omán 

43

Saudi Arabia 

42

Pakistan 

42

Morocco 

42

Benin

41

Central African Republic

41

Togo 

41

Chad 

41

Sierra Leone 

39

Côte d'Ivoire

39

Yemen

31

Region: 
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Gender Equity Index (GEI) 2007 - FLASH VERSION

Publication_year: 
2007
Annual report: 
Yes


GEI 2007 - flash version

Region: 
header

Key measures and areas of action

Annual report: 
Yes

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

 

Region: 
left

Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

Annual report: 
Yes

Inequity: a problem both current and global

Recent GEI trends (2004-2007)

Country

GEI, percentage evolution
(2004 -2007)

Rwanda

17.65

Ecuador

17.28

Cape Verde

15.01

Guatemala

14.60

Spain

14.42

Lesotho

11.73

Yemen

10.60

Panama

10.54

Belize

10.26

El Salvador

9.77

Peru

9.39

Belgium

9.38

Colombia

8.78

Sierra Leone

8.77

Ethiopia

8.64

Norway

7.98

Malta

7.88

Belarus

7.77

Israel

7.37

Venezuela

7.34

Nepal

7.23

Bahamas

7.04

China

6.35

Bolivia

6.22

Niger

6.07

Netherlands

5.96

Greece

5.95

Ireland

5.66

Mozambique

5.54

Sweden

5.51

Croatia

5.48

Australia

5.29

Cyprus

5.19

Zambia

5.18

Finland

4.82

Burundi

4.71

Syria

4.70

Oman

4.69

Iceland

4.61

Argentina

4.59

Tunisia

4.54

Mauritius

4.30

Fiji

4.29

Togo

4.26

Switzerland

4.12

Malawi

4.10

United Kingdom

4.02

Brazil

3.88

Algeria

3.86

Kazakhstan

3.86

Philippines

3.84

Lebanon

3.51

Côte d'Ivoire

3.50

Senegal

3.25

Namibia

3.24

Barbados

3.11

Dominican Republic

2.92

Portugal

2.90

Swazilandia

2.39

Mali

2.09

Azerbaijan

1.98

Jordan

1.91

Lithuania

1.69

France

1.46

Bahrain

1.43

Mexico

1.43

New Zealand

1.38

Chile

1.35

Viet Nam

1.30

Costa Rica

1.24

Burkina Faso

1.22

Romania

1.19

Hungary

1.14

United Arab Emirates

0.61

Luxembourg

0.57

Latvia

0.32

Moldova

0.02

Ukranie

0.01

Italy

0.01

South Africa

-0.05

Kuwait

-0.06

Macedonia

-0.21

Korea. Rep.

-0.56

Slovenia

-0.57

Zimbabwe

-0.68

Trinidad and Tobago

-0.90

Indonesia

-0.99

Japan

-1.09

Estonia

-1.16

Pakistan

-1.73

Cambodia

-1.75

Canada

-2.15

Gabon

-2.49

Ghana

-2.56

Madagascar

-2.59

Thailand

-2.81

Jamaica

-2.90

Kenya

-2.97

Laos

-2.97

Denmark

-3.03

Honduras

-3.21

Albania

-3.33

Russia

-3.55

Morocco

-3.63

Georgia

-3.67

Poland

-3.74

Bulgaria

-3.75

Benin

-4.09

Saudi Arabia

-4.16

Chad

-4.47

Sri Lanka

-4.50

Armenia

-4.63

Nicaragua

-4.97

Gambia

-5.28

Kyrgyzstan

-5.75

Mongolia

-6.35

United States of America

-6.59

Eritrea

-7.61

Bangladesh

-9.23

Egypt

-9.74

Malaysia

-9.75

Botswana

-9.97

Central African Republic

-10.54

Turkey

-12.76

Angola

-20.65

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

Region: 
left

Social Watch Gender Equity Index

Annual report: 
Yes

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.

Region: 
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The 10 countries with the greatest GEI progress

Annual report: 
Yes

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

 

Country

Region

Income

GEI 2004 - 2007: Percentage variation

Rwanda

Sub-Saharan Africa

Low income

17.65 %

Ecuador

Latin America and the Caribbean

Lower-middle income

17.28 %

Cape Verde

Sub-Saharan Africa

Lower-middle income

15.01 %

Guatemala

Latin America and the Caribbean

Lower-middle income

14.60 %

Spain

Europa

High income

14.42 %

Lesotho

Sub-Saharan Africa

Low income

11.73 %

Yemen

Middle East and North Africa

Low income

10.60 %

Panama

Latin America and the Caribbean

Upper-middle income

10.54 %

Belize

Latin America and the Caribbean

Lower-middle income

10.26 %

El Salvador

Latin America and the Caribbean

Lower-middle income

9.77 %

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.

Region: 
left

The 10 countries with the greatest GEI regression

Annual report: 
Yes

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

 

Country

Region

Income

GEI 2004 - 2007: Percentage variation

Angola

Sub-Saharan Africa

Low income

-20.65

Turkey

Central Asia

Lower-middle income

-12.76

Central African Republic

Sub-Saharan Africa

Low income

-10.54

Botswana

Sub-Saharan Africa

Upper-middle income

-9.97

Malaysia

East Asia and the Pacific

Upper-middle income

-9.75

Egypt

Middle East and North Africa

Lower-middle income

-9.74

Bangladesh

South Asia

Low income

-9.23

Eritrea

Sub-Saharan Africa

Low income

-7.61

United States of America

North America

High income

-6.59

Mongolia

East Asia and the Pacific

Low income

-6.35

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.

Region: 
left

RWANDA

Annual report: 
Yes

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

Region: 
left

Gender Equity Index - Progress and Regression

Annual report: 
Yes







view contries graph
GEI by country income levels


GEI evolution by region


GEI world map





Affirmative actions

Region: 
left