How to Close the Gap in Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is the difference in outcomes that people receive because of their sex at birth. It mainly impacts women and girls, but everyone suffers when gender bias or discrimination persists. It also hurts businesses and economies. Gender equality is an important goal for the world to achieve.

Progress on closing gender gaps varies significantly by country, particularly in relation to its stage of development. It also depends on whether the focus is on gaps that are easily addressed (e.g., school enrollment and labor market participation) or more elusive to tackle (e.g., representation in parliament and senior and middle management). Moreover, as gender gaps become more subtle and implicit, targeted policies will have to play a greater role.

Several of the world’s leading gender equality indices measure global gaps across several different dimensions, including but not limited to health, education, economic participation and political empowerment. They also provide an overview of what’s working and what’s not.

The three most commonly used indices are the Gender Gap Index (GGI), the Global Reproductive Rights Indicator (GRRI) and the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report (GGR). The GRRI measures women’s and men’s relative achievement in four key areas: reproductive rights, education, labor force participation and economic opportunity. The GGI and the GRRI rank countries on their level of overall equality, with a higher score meaning more equal outcome for both genders. The GGR reports on the degree of equality achieved and tracks changes over time.

Both the GII and GRRI are calculated by using data on 15 different indicators. The indices differ slightly in their selections and methodology, but they cover the same broad areas.

Policymakers can accelerate the decline in gender gaps by focusing on specific targets and by adopting policies with the best chance of success. Targeted gender policies typically require a more analytical approach to identify what works and what doesn’t. They also need to address the underlying factors that contribute to the gap, such as social norms, gender biases and the way institutions operate.

In some cases, addressing those factors will help reduce the gap itself. For example, gender bias in the workplace may drive decisions to promote men over women for certain jobs or to penalize female workers who don’t fit expected roles. It can also fuel the idea that women should be passive and subordinate to men, which drives violence against them.

Addressing those factors will not only improve gender equality, but it will lead to better economic outcomes, as shown by the GRRI’s finding that more equitable societies grow faster. The urgency to reduce gender inequality stems not just from its negative economic consequences but from the fact that sexism harms people’s mental and physical health. It also reinforces harmful stereotypes and stigma, which undermines equality and peace. People can take action by calling out policies that don’t mention gender, but do perpetuate historical gender inequality and harmful discrimination. They can also call out behavior and language that reinforces gender inequality, such as jokes that use stereotypical gender roles or insult women.