The report highlights a 28 percent gender gap, with women achieving just 72 percent of what men accomplish across critical dimensions of human development.

It also introduces innovative measurements called the ’Twin Indices’—the Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI). WEI assesses women’s power and freedoms to make choices, while GGPI evaluates gender disparities in key aspects of human development.

Less than 1 percent of women and girls reside in countries with high women’s empowerment and minimal gender gaps, while over 90 percent of the global female population (3.1 billion women and girls) live in nations marked by significant deficits in women’s empowerment and gender gaps.

Launched on 18th July st the the Women Deliver Conference 2023 held in Kigali, the report underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address the global challenges faced by women. It ranks Rwanda low in both WEI and human development but high in gender parity.

The report’s findings expose the unrealized potential of women worldwide, despite the global community’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Commenting on the report, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous stressed the need for sustained efforts to achieve gender equality and secure women’s and girls’ human rights.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner also expressed concern over limited opportunities for women and girls in many countries.

He emphasizes that the report’s insights aim to drive real change and called for comprehensive policy action in healthcare, education, work-life balance, family support, women’s participation, and the eradication of violence against women.

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