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The world has achieved parity in primary education between girls and boys, but for girls in some regions, education remains elusive.
The ratio between the enrolment rate of girls and that of boys grew from 91 in 1999 to 97 in 2010 for all developing regions. The gender parity index value of 97 falls within the plus-or-minus 3-point margin of 100 per cent, the accepted measure for parity.
Gender inequality persists and women continue to face discrimination in access to education, work and economic assets, and participation in government.
Globally, women’s share in paid jobs outside of the agricultural sector increased only slightly from 35 per cent in 1990 to 40 per cent in 2010.
Violence against women continues to undermine efforts to reach all goals.
Poverty is a major barrier to secondary education, especially among older girls.
Women are largely relegated to more vulnerable forms of employment.
Globally, women occupy only 25 per cent of senior management positions and, in 2008/2009, were on average paid 23 per cent less than men.
Business ownership is concentrated in men’s hands throughout the developing world.
