Gender equality report ranks Israel 56th
World Economic Forum publishes annual report probing equality of sexes worldwide. Data indicate steady decline in Jewish state's standing, as Norway tops chart, Yemen lingers in bottom
A new report probing gender equality in various countries around the world ranks Israel in the 56th place out of 130 – far behind other Western countries.
The report, published by the World Economic Forum, in association with Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, indicated a decline in Israel's ranking: In 2006 it came in at 35, and in 2007 – 36.
The rankings are determined by compiling 15 variables in four categories: Equal economic opportunities, including participation in the workforce and equal opportunities in the work place and in finances; access to education, longevity and participation in politics.
Topping the chart are Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Other counties which fared well were the Netherlands (9), France (15), Spain (17) and the US (27). The bottom three consist of Yemen (130), Chad (129) and Saudi Arabia (128).
Israel's overall score was 0.69 out of 1 – one being absolute equality between the sexes. Norway, which was hailed for its gender equality, was awarded 0.824 points.
Israel scored particularly low on the variable exploring the wage differences between men and women performing the same job, coming in at the 119th place.
It fared better when in came to women's participation in politics, ranking 81st in the number of women in government.
Israel ranked 16 in the category probing the number of women taking part in the workforce; and came in at No. 1 – along with other leading Western counties – for equal opportunities for women in education.
