The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress. The Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria, and provides country rankings that allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups, and over time. The rankings are designed to create greater awareness among a global audience of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them. The methodology and...

The Global Gender Parity Group is a multistakeholder community of highly influential and committed leaders -- 50% women and 50% men -- that has pledged personal and organizational commitments towards gender parity.

The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress. The Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria, and provides country rankings that allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups, and over time. The rankings are designed to create greater awareness among a global audience of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them. The methodology and...

In the midst of the current economic downturn, policymakers and business leaders are struggling to manage short-term shocks, prepare their economies to perform well in a medium-term economic landscape characterized by growing volatility and develop institutions and regulations to stave off such crises in the future. It is more important now than ever before for countries and companies to pay heed to one of the fundamental cornerstones of economic growth available to them—the skills and talent of their human resource pool. Women not only make up one half of this potential talent base, they...

The World Economic Forum convenes global leaders from business, policy-making and civil society to find creative and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our world today. One particular societal and economic challenge is the persistent gap between women and men in their access to resources and opportunities.This gap not only undermines the quality of life of one half of the world’s population but also poses a significant risk to the long-term growth and well-being of nations: countries that do not capitalize on the full potential of...

We are at a unique turning point in history. Never before has there been such momentum around the issue of gender parity on the global stage. Numerous multinational companies have aligned core elements of their businesses and products to support and provide opportunities for women in the communities in which they are active. The United Nations has created a new entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. There is a strong movement around greater investment in girls’ education in the developing world. Businesses around the world are...

The World Economic Forum’s Corporate Gender Gap Report 2010 is based on a survey of 600 of the heads of Human Resources at the world’s largest employers. The survey contained over 25 questions and assessed companies on representation of women within their establishments and the use of gender-equality practices such as measurement and target-setting, work-life balance policies and mentorship and training. The survey also asked respondents to identify the biggest barriers to women’s leadership and their opinion on the probable effects of the economic downturn on women’s employment in their...

As the global community weighs nextsteps on the education and skills front, the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Education & Skills publishes Education and Skills 2.0: New Targets and Innovative Approaches; a book that aims to provide the latest thinking on the critical importance of education and that highlights what can be done to ensure that all people around the world can benefit. To this end, the book critically reviews existing and new ideas, perspectives and frameworks on education through relevant analyses and case studies. It explores the full array of social...