What is in the water, near the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea? The top five countries for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality all touch these bodies of water -- Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
According to Kathleen Peddicord's Forbes article, "Top 12 Countries for Women's Rights and Gender Equality (article)," these are arguably the most feminist and female-friendly countries on earth, where gender equality is at its highest and women can rest assured their rights and protections are top priority. So, who is ready to move and experience what that is like?
First: How to Measure Gender Equity?
Before the move, let’s look at the metrics. Peddicord's article references a number of indices that measure different factors from safety and maternal health to justice, happiness, and peacefulness. She cross-referenced these sources:
· The World Economic Forum (WEF) produces the Global Gender Gap (GGG) report every year, which ranks 146 countries on a variety of benchmarks that compare male and female treatment. The GGG says it will take more than a century to achieve that goal.
· Georgetown University publishes the Women Peace and Security Index (WPS), that ranks 177 countries on their inclusion, justice, and safety for women.
· The World Health Organization ranks out of 185 countries the rate of maternal health care and survival as well as parental rights.
· The World Population Review ranks general happiness out of 144 countries, which shows a large overlap between gender-equal countries and those where residents are happiest.
· And finally, the Global Peace Index, includes a general measure of peacefulness and crime, among 163 countries.
So, let’s take a look at the United State and Canada.
United States | Canada |
The Metrics: Global Leaders in Gender Equality
Now let’s look at the top three countries.
Iceland | Denmark | Norway |
· Women Peace and Security Index: #4 · Global Gender Gap Report: #1 · Maternal health care and survival: #4 · World Happiness Report: #3 · Global Peace Index: #1 · Maternity leave: 13 weeks; paid at 80% · Paternity leave: 12 weeks; paid at 80% · Additional parental leave: 26 weeks for each parent; paid at 80% | · Women Peace and Security Index: #1 · Global Gender Gap Report: #15 · Maternal health care and survival: #18 · World Happiness Report: #2 · Global Peace Index: #8 · Maternity leave: 18 weeks; paid at 100% · Paternity leave: 2 weeks; paid at 100% · Additional parental leave: 32 weeks; can be split between either parent; paid at 100% |
Peddicord wrote that these nations have implemented policies and fostered cultural norms that support women's empowerment across various sectors, including politics, education, and the workplace. For instance, countries like Iceland and Norway are often recognized for their progressive approaches, such as comprehensive parental leave policies and high female representation in government positions. These examples serve as benchmarks for other nations striving to enhance gender equality.
She also notes that countries that rank highly for women’s rights also score consistently well when it comes to democracy, peacefulness and even prosperity, and researchers agree that the overall correlation between gender equality and country health is significant.
What Gets Measured Gets Done? Things that Make me Think
The pursuit of gender equality remains a critical global endeavor, with various nations exhibiting differing levels of progress. It is management guru Peter Drucker who said, “[only] what gets measure gets managed.” I have heard this a number of times in my corporate career; however, in the case of gender equity, we have metrics and not just one, but metrics from a number of angles. Are we getting it done in the U.S.?
When I interviewed men about gender equity for my book Men-In-The-Middle, it was not the surface level issues that held them back, but more so, issues in the “bummock.” In change management theory, the tip of the iceberg is what people can see; but the tip of the iceberg did not sink the Titanic. The part of the iceberg that is below the surface, the bummock, is much larger and more destructive, especially because we don’t see it and when we hit those issues, the destruction can be more damaging.
Some men said, gender is a women’s issue. Other men said it is not a safe space to speak up and they did not have to, because it did not directly impact them. At the surface this might be true, however, gender equity is a rising tide that lifts all boats. It is at least worth a conversation, don’t you think? Research shows that men are aware of the challenges to gender equity but often remain uncertain about how to contribute effectively. This uncertainty can lead to well-intentioned men becoming passive supporters rather than active participants in promoting gender equity. These are the Men-In-The-Middle.
At least in the United States, men hold the majority of leadership positions in corporations. This is what I call the “silent majority.” Men's reluctance or uncertainty about engaging in gender equity conversations can slow progress.
Here is something to think about; did only women vote for maternal health and parental leave policies in the top countries? Men do play a pivotal role in advancing gender equity. By cultivating open dialogue, men can become more informed and proactive allies in the movement toward gender equality.