Seeing the Second Sex: Global Values, Perceptions, and Realities in Gender Equality

The global gender gap in educational attainment, workforce participation, and political representation has narrowed in recent years. According to the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the share of female legislators in national assemblies increased by 8% around the globe between 1998 and 2008, compared with a mere 1% increase over the previous two decades. Still, people around the world say gender inequalities persist in their countries and that more changes are needed to ensure that women have the same rights as men. Majorities in 21 of the 22 nations surveyed by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project say women should have equal rights with men, and across 13 countries, more than 90% express this view, including 99% in Spain and France and 97% in Argentina, Germany, Britain, and the US. In Spain, 57% of female respondents say men have the better life in their country, while 11% say life is better for women and 28% volunteer that there is no difference.