Gender Parity Still Centuries Away: Why the World Is Failing Its Women

Despite decades of advocacy, investment, and legislation, the world remains far from achieving gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, only 68.8% of the global gender gap has been closed, marking slight progress over the previous year. But at this pace, full parity is still 123 years away.

This is not just a “women’s issue.” Gender parity is a human rights imperative and a catalyst for economic resilience, social progress, and sustainable development. So why are we still so far behind?

 Breaking Down the Gender Gap

The Global Gender Gap Index measures equality across four dimensions:

1.       Economic Participation and Opportunity

2.       Educational Attainment

3.       Health and Survival

4.       Political Empowerment

Gender Gap by Dimension (2025)

Dimension	Gap Closed (%)
Health and Survival	96.20%
Educational Attainment	95.10%
Economic Participation & Opportunity	61.00%
Political Empowerment	22.90%

Educational and health gaps are nearly closed, yet women still lag significantly behind in terms of economic opportunity and political leadership.

Best and Worst Performers

While no country has fully achieved gender parity, some nations are doing far better than others. Iceland, for instance, has closed more than 92.6% of its gender gap, maintaining its position as the most gender-equal country in the world.

Top 5 Gender-Equal Countries (2025)

Rank	Country	Gender Gap Closed (%)
1	Iceland	92.60%
2	Finland	87.90%
3	Norway	86.30%
4	United Kingdom	83.80%
5	New Zealand	82.70%

On the other hand, India, Pakistan, and Iran are among the worst performers, especially in the economic participation category.

Political and Economic Disempowerment

The two most stubborn barriers for women worldwide are in economic participation and political empowerment.

Key Statistics:

·         Only 28% of leadership roles worldwide are held by women.

·         Women’s workforce participation rate is significantly lower than men’s, especially in South Asia and the Middle East.

·         Women occupy only 22.9% of parliamentary seats globally.

While education has become more accessible for girls and women globally, it hasn't translated into leadership roles or equal pay. Many women face career interruptions due to unpaid caregiving, motherhood, or societal norms, which limit their upward mobility.

Regional Perspectives

Southern Asia:

·         Overall gender gap closed: 64.6%

·         Bangladesh is a bright spot, with 77.5% of its population closed.

·         India’s economic participation score: only 40.7%.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

·         Closed 68.0% of its gender gap.

·         Strong in political representation with 40.2% female ministers.

Eastern Asia and Pacific:

·         The Philippines leads the region with 78.1%.

·         Gender bias remains in educational choices and child sex ratios.

Digital Divide and Business Barriers

In developing nations, digital inequality is holding women back. Access to affordable mobile data and internet services remains a luxury for many women entrepreneurs.

A recent Guardian report highlights how costly data access in low-income countries is limiting women's ability to engage in e-commerce, digital banking, and remote education. When women lack connectivity, they miss out on global markets, networking, and education that could bridge the gender divide.

Why Are Women Still Missing in Leadership?

While more women than men are earning tertiary degrees in many parts of the world, they are vastly underrepresented in senior roles. Why?

1.       Unconscious bias in hiring and promotions.

2.       Limited maternity support and caregiving infrastructure.

3.       Cultural and religious norms that restrict women's public roles.

4.       Unequal access to networks and mentors.

Unless we address these root causes, progress will remain symbolic rather than systemic.

Political Representation: Still Too Low

Despite gains in education and health, the political gender gap remains the widest. Women still rarely lead national governments, and when they do, their power is often symbolic.

In countries like Nigeria, although workforce participation parity has improved, the number of female ministers has decreased, weakening political empowerment.

What Can Be Done?

Global organizations and governments must commit to aggressive gender-focused reforms:

1. Economic Inclusion

·         Ensure equal pay for equal work.

·         Promote female entrepreneurship with access to finance and digital tools.

·         Provide universal childcare and parental leave systems.

2. Political Inclusion

·         Enact gender quotas in political parties and legislatures.

·         Provide campaign support and safety for women candidates.

·         Train women in leadership and negotiation skills.

3. Legal Reform

·         Enforce laws against workplace harassment and discrimination.

·         Eliminate gender-based legal restrictions on employment, property, and mobility.

4. Cultural Shift

·         Media and education should challenge gender stereotypes.

·         Men must be active allies, sharing caregiving roles and advocating for equality.

The Time Is Now

If the world waits another 123 years for gender parity, it won’t just be women who suffer—it will be all of us. Economies will remain under-optimized, innovation will stagnate, and societies will continue to be marked by injustice.

Women’s rights are not a side issue—they are central to global peace, prosperity, and progress.

It’s time for action that goes beyond tokenism and towards transformation. The gap is closing—but not fast enough.

References:

·         World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025

·         The Guardian: Women in Business and the Digital Divide

·         Born2Invest Report on Persistent Gender Inequality

·         Teen Vogue: Courage in Journalism Awards 2025