Close the Gap in Gender Inequality

Almost every country in the world has some form of gender inequality, and many have not made progress in closing gender gaps since the Global Goals were signed in 2015. Achieving equality will take decades, at the current pace.

The reason is that the roots of gender inequality lie in social norms and structures, and they are often long-standing and deeply embedded. These norms influence choices that are not influenced by or constrained by gender, such as field of study and career paths; choice of residence; labor force participation and wages; leadership positions; preference/comparative advantages and allocation of human capital (Dhar and others, 2021). These social barriers cannot be removed without addressing underlying attitudes and structural factors.

Addressing gender inequality will benefit men and women equally, but it also benefits children, who receive greater support from women to realize their ambitions, interests and talents; and the economy through a positive productivity externality of balanced family and work life. This is why it’s vital to reduce the gap between male and female economic output, education, health and living standards.

Gender inequality has many causes and can affect different sectors differently, depending on the country’s stage of development and social structure. Gender inequality in health and education is driven by societal and cultural norms, while in the workplace it is influenced by institutional factors and the design of policies and regulations. It can be reduced through removing legal barriers and educating boys and girls on the benefits of gender equality, as well as through changing attitudes and promoting role models that challenge existing norms.

A large body of evidence shows that both general and targeted gender policies can have substantial impacts on reducing gaps, but the tradeoffs in their effectiveness and efficiency should be assessed on a policy-by-policy basis. Some gaps can be closed rapidly, notably those in school enrollment and labor force participation; others are more persistent, such as those in the distribution of occupations and mid-level management positions. In these cases, targeted policies are needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a backlash against women’s rights have further dimmed the outlook for gender equality, but it is important to remember that global efforts to date have made only limited progress. We are far from achieving equal opportunities for women, and it will take 300 years at the current rate to close the global gap in political empowerment (UN Women, 2022). We must do better.