Iceland tops gender parity, India slips 2 spots in WEF index.
Iceland has retained the top spot on gender equality in the World Economic Forum‘s Global Gender Gap Report 2024. The Nordic nation scored highest on closing disparities between men and women.
Finland, Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden rounded out the top five nations, achieving near full parity. India ranked 129th out of 146 countries surveyed, slipping two places from last year.
The global gender gap narrowed marginally over the past year, but full equality remains distant, according to the report. Health and educational status saw significant progress made among the four dimensions measured.
However, economic participation and political empowerment continue to pose challenges. Women face barriers to entering high-growth sectors and leadership roles. The unaccounted care work shouldered by females also impacts wages.
India registered declines in educational attainment and political representation scores. While economic participation increased, sizeable gaps in income, jobs, and decision-making prevailed.
Measures are needed to boost female workforce involvement and parliamentary presence. Literacy and tertiary-level learning, too, require sharper focus.
Neighboring Bangladesh (99) and Bhutan (124) fared better on the index. Pakistan ranked second last ahead of Sudan. The report offers insights for urgent action to advance gender parity worldwide.
