A simplified approach to measuring national gender inequality

Abstract

The Global Gender Gap Index is one of the best-known measures of national gender inequality, used by both academics and policy makers. We argue that that this measure has a number of problems and introduce a simpler measure of national levels of gender inequality. Our proposed measure is based on sex differences in the opportunity to lead a long healthy and satisfied life that is grounded on educational opportunities. The measure better captures variation in gender inequality than other measures, with inclusion of outcomes that can be favorable or unfavorable to either sex, not simply unfavorable to women. We focus on some of the most basic measures available for 134 countries from 2012–2016 (i.e., disadvantages in children’s basic education, life satisfaction, and healthy life span) and we relate these to various measures, including the United Nations' Human Development Index. We found that low levels of human development are typically associated with disadvantages for girls and women, while medium and high levels of development are typically associated with disadvantages for boys and men. Countries with the highest levels of human development are closest to gender parity, albeit typically with a slight advantage for women. We argue that the disparities, when they are found, are related to the sexual division of labor (i.e., traditional gender roles) in poorly developed countries as well as the underinvestment in preventative health care in more developed nations.

Economic Complexity and the Mediating Effects of Income Inequality: Reaching Sustainable Development in Developing Countries

“…Strengthening and protecting women's roles in society is crucial because it improves health and increases levels of literacy and education, as well as controls population growth [55]. Economies with a high level of human development frequently exhibit more gender parity than those economies with a low level of human development [57].…”

“…To achieve gender equality and reduce gender-based discrimination around the world, new legal frameworks, such as female equality in the workplace, need to be implemented (UNDP). Economies with a high level of human development frequently exhibit more gender parity than those economies with a low level of human development [57]. The gendered division of labor, such as through traditional gender roles, explains those disparities in developing countries.…”

“…The gendered division of labor, such as through traditional gender roles, explains those disparities in developing countries. Another reason is the underinvestment in preventive health care [57]. Gender inequality hinders human development [9], but it only explains part of the problem.…”

“…Gender equity should be improved to help individuals to reach their full potential and attain sustainable development. Unfortunately, this is not sufficient for improving well-being for the simple reason that men and women do not face the same opportunities in many aspects of life [57].…”

Sağlık sektöründe toplumsal cinsiyet dönüşümündeki stratejileri formüle etmek ve uygulamak için acil gereksinim vardır

“…In addition, there is a definite scope for widening of the research dimension, wherein more emphasis should be given towards low & middle income nations, collection of gender-based statistics and formulation of appropriate policies which are required for ensuring gender equality [1][2][3][4][5] . However, for all this to happen, there is an indispensable need to have sustained political support and collaboration from the concerned stakeholders 1,4 .…”