The Global Gender Gap Report 2006

New international report out for those of you as obsessed with the gender pay gap as I am ...

Authors: Zahidi, S.

Produced by: World Economic Forum (2007)

How do countries measure up in comparison to one another when it comes to addressing the gap between men and women in terms of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment?

With data from 115 countries, and using a new methodology based on relative measures of empowerment to capture the size of the gap, the Gender Gap report provides a comprehensive guide to the current global situation.The country comparisons serve a dual purpose: as a benchmark to identify existing strengths and weaknesses; and as a useful guide for policy, based on learning from the experiences of those countries that have had greater success in promoting the equality of women and men. Country Profiles in Part II of this Report provide an overview of the national gender related environment in each country.

Some of the report's findings are:

• No country in the world has yet managed to eliminate the gender gap
• Those that have succeeded best in narrowing the gap are the Nordic countries, with Sweden standing out as the most advanced in the world, having closed over 80% of its gender gap, followed closely by Norway (2), Finland (3), Iceland (4) and Denmark (8). Germany (5), United Kingdom (9) and Ireland (10)
• The Philippines is the only Asian country in the top ten while South Africa holds the highest position among African countries

Available online at: here

Gender pay gap worse in London

For those, like myself, you just received their ticket for Capital Women in the post, you might like to have a look at this, courtesy of the BBC ......

Gender pay gap 'worse in London'

The average pay gap between women and men is far worse in London than the rest of the UK. The gap is 23% in London compared to 17% in the rest of the country, according to the findings in the Women in London's Economy report. The report states the reason for this is because the majority of the top paid jobs go to men. The report is being published to coincide with a conference on Thursday for business leaders and policy-makers.

It states women at the higher and lower ends of the pay scale are particularly badly hit. It also shows women with children in London have a £20 a week lower income than in the rest of the UK, despite London's much higher cost of living. Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said:

"London's future as the powerhouse of the UK's economy is critically dependent on the contribution of women. But this report shows that the glass ceiling is no myth but a reality holding women back."

The report also found that 19% of women in London, nearly one in five, are earning less than the London Living Wage, of £7.05 per hour, compared to only 12% of men. Backing the report's findings Jenny Watson, Equal Opportunities Commission chair, said London "wastes women's talents. Without more action from the private sector to tackle sex inequality throughout London's economy, the pay gap will never close," she said.