Best and worst countries to be a woman
This week, Newsweek released its Global Women’s Progress Report, an indicator of women’s progress in 165 countries ranking the best and worst places to be a woman.
The report assesses five areas that affect women’s lives: treatment under the law, workforce participation, political power, and access to education and health care. Data was gathered from the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, among other sources, as well as consulting with experts and academics, they measured 28 factors to come up with the rankings as follows for the top ten:
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- Switzerland
- Norway
- USA
- Australia
- Netherlands
The good, the bad and the ugly
It’s not surprising to see the Nordic countries at the top of the list, and some major progress has been made in countries such as Thailand, Brazil, Costa Rica and China. But on the other hand Newsweek says, “But hold the applause. In Saudi Arabia, women aren’t allowed to drive. In Pakistan, a thousand women die in honor killings every year. And in Somalia, 95 percent of women are subjected to genital mutilation. In the developed world, women lag behind men in pay and political power. The poverty rate among women in the U.S. rose to 14.5 percent last year, the highest in 17 years.”
There is still much progress to be made. Even in the number one ranked country, Iceland, another survey by SFR, the Union of Public Servants reveals a significant gender-based salary gap. But, the index indicates that we are heading in the right direction.
Newsweek also indicates that index backs up a statement made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, “When we liberate the economic potential of women, we elevate the economic performance of communities, nations, and the world,” she said. “There is a stimulative and ripple effect that kicks in when women have greater access to jobs and the economic lives of our countries: Greater political stability. Fewer military conflicts. More food. More educational opportunity for children. By harnessing the economic potential of all women, we boost opportunity for all people.”
(Photo: The Prime Minister’s Office)
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