Trends in Gender Equality and Women’s Advancement
This paper uses evidence derived from individual indicators and gender equality indices
Abstract
This paper examines trends in indicators of gender equality and women’s development, using evidence derived from individual indicators and gender equality indices. We extend both the United Nations Development Program’s Gender Development Index and Gender Inequality Index to examine time trends. In recent decades, the world has moved closer to gender equality and narrowed gaps in education, health, and economic and political opportunity; however, substantial differences remain, especially in South Asia, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. The results suggest countries can make meaningful improvements in gender equality, even while significant income differences between countries remain.
This work is part of the ‘Macroeconomics in Low-income countries’ programme
Citation
Janet Gale Stotsky, Sakina Shibuya, Lisa L Kolovich, Suhaib Kebhaj (2016) Trends in Gender Equality and Women’s Advancement. IMF Working Paper No. 16/21