The Global Gender Gap refers to the measure of gender equality in different nations. The United States ranks number 28 on the Global Gender Gap index according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2015, out of 145 countries. Save the Children rates the best and worst countries to be a mother: Norway being number one, and Somalia being number 179. The United States ranks number 33 according to Save the Children in this area. Many of the countries in the top 10, excluding Australia, are European. All of the countries on the bottom ten’s list are developing, third world countries in Africa.

Availability and quality of health care could contribute to the wellbeing of women and the gender gaps within these societies. Health care, birth control, and contraceptives are easier to access in Europe, even in comparison to the United States. Political and religious issues cause disagreements on what should and should not be available for women in the United States, leaving us behind other countries such as Norway, Finland, and Iceland, the top three countries to be a mother. The U.S. could improve its ranking by improving health care for women.

The responsibilities of women in African cultures are far different than those of women in Europe and the United States. These responsibilities and expectations affect the lower ranking; the birth rate is also higher in African nations because of the lack of contraceptives and health care availability.

Reflective Tag: Countries with health care easily accessible for women have higher rankings. This is why the U.S. lags so far behind countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, and Germany. Countries ranked on the bottom ten for worst countries to be a mother lack sufficient health care and place high levels of stress on mothers.