Ahliyah Williams

5/ 29/ 19

Dr. Hink

Help Received: References Ahliyah W.

 

Wo(MAN)s World

The global gender gap is defined as “Index to measure gender equality”. The global gender gap coincidently shows the significant level at which men have an advantage globally over men because of such high percentages. This has been a continuous trend in society all across the world and still continues to this day. The United States stands not too bad in terms of global gender gap being #51 out of 149 countries. Although not the lowest, it’s definitely low compared to places like Iceland who ranks #11 in the global gender gap! The question pops up of “why, and what could we do to improve it?’ There is an obvious difference in these two places just by looking at political, social, and even gender status in various countries. When comparing the top three countries like Iceland, Sweden, and Norway and the bottom-ranked countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen, there is a clear and immediate distinction between those places based on culture, society, and tradition.

 

To truly understand the global gender gap a person should know how it is measured and how gender equality is scored. Education, economics, health, and politics are all factors that are considered when choosing these countries to be ranked from highest to lowest on the list. Being that Iceland ranks #11 in economic participation vs Yemen that ranks #147 show just one reason into why one would be at the top of the list and another at the bottom. The Global Gender Gap is not biased towards a certain gender either, taking into consideration both advantages for male and females. There are no taking sides as one may think. There may be cases where men are at a disadvantage of women also in the global gender gap index.

 

To identify why these countries have such huge differences in the gender gap, one has to think about the history of these places. Starting with the top 3 in the list. All of the countries, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway collectively have a similar history. Going as far back as the early 11th centuries in Iceland women were left at home alone by their traveling Viking husbands. This gave the women independence and left the women to take over what would traditionally be a man’s job, such as farming and building. One of the most significant things is that Iceland was the very first country to gain inheritance rights to both men and women in 1850. Next, Norway is ranked second in the list. Norway has a long history of gender equality and women’s rights movements. In 1839, The Crafts Act and 1842, the Trade Act gave single women in Norway ability to trade and care for themselves. Lastly, Finland ranks only #3, but pacts a #1 punch with its government being named a “feminist government”. The government is highly involved in women’s rights and even uses a sensitized “F” word for feminism. All of these countries rank #1 for a reason. When going into the lowest ranking countries, there is no need to individualize them because they all practice similar traditions and beliefs. The reason being most significantly is culture and social beliefs. Culturally all three of these countries believe in power is held in a man’s hands and everything or all the power that a women needs, should be asked for an only given through the man’s permission. Much like slaves, women in these countries are seen as impure, not knowledgeable, and not worthy to feel empowered in any way at all. That’s a huge difference in these various countries based on their rankings.

Now to why the US is at such a low rating in this index. Once again we can take a look into the US deep history of gender inequality. Almost too much to explain, going over the basics will can give one a vague picture of the extent of inequality. For so many years, women took care of the household and the children and men worked and provided. Even with the right to vote, although gained the right to vote in 1920, it took 14 years for them to get the rights of their own citizenship from their father or husband! Women in modern days are still being significantly paid less than women now. Women are paid 85% of what men are paid for doing the same exact job. This number is actually an improvement from the last years.

In conclusion, the global gender gap is measured in many ways including economic status, politics, and society. There are multiple reasons for the excessive gender gap in many countries. Countries such as Iceland and Norway vs Yemen and Iraq show a clear distinction in cultural and political differences which has been carried out through their long history and show to still be a factor in today’s society. The US at the ranking it is now is because of the own fault of not taking huge steps as the high ranking countries to improve gender equality. 

References

Arizona State College University (2012).What Are the Roots of Gender Inequality? Women’s Rights, Race, and Reproduction. NewsWise

Factank. (2019).The narrowing, but the persistent, gender gap in pay. Pew Research Center.

David Nikel. (2018). Norway Ranks Second For Gender Equality. Life in Norway.

Insight Report. (2018). The Global Gender Gap Report. World Economic Forum.

Michael Chapman. Gender Equality in Iceland. Guide to Iceland.

Gender Equality in Sweden. Sweden Sverige.

Bergstrom (2013). The history of gender equality. Kilden.

Gender Equality Index. Wikipedia.