- Gender Social Norms Index 2020 (GSNI) which is the first such index has been released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The index shows how social beliefs can obstruct gender equality along four dimensions namely political, educational, economic and physical integrity. Overall, GSNI highlights the prevalent gender biases due to social norms and how they are evolving.
- GSNI has analyzed this social bias across 75 countries which form more than 80 per cent of the global population. The index has also covered a second set 31 countries accounting for 59 percent of the world population. These countries have data for periods of time.
- The index is basically based on the four dimensions and 7 questions asked to calculate the scores. The GSNI scores range from 0 to 1. The higher value shows higher bias against gender inequality.
Key Findings
- As per the Gender Social Norms Index 2020, no country in the world has achieved gender equality.
- Also, the world not on track with its goal to achieve gender equality by 2030.
- According to the index, half of the world population believes that men are better political leaders. Also, 40% of the population believes that men have more right to get jobs in times of scarcity.
- To be amazed, even at this time, 28% of the population feels that it is justified if a man beats his wife.
- The index also highlighted the “power gaps” by an example- Only 24 percent of parliamentary seats across the world are held by women. Also, there are only 10 female heads of government out of 193 Member States. This puts a question mark on the power gaps between men and women across the world.
- UNDP also highlighted that women are paid less than men for same jobs.
A way forward
- UNDP asked the world leaders to increase their actions in order to meet the global targets on gender equality. UNDP also pointed out that the year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+25) which is the most visionary agenda on women’s empowerment.
Question
Q: 1. The first-ever Gender Social Norms Index has been released by which organization?1. Global Fund for Women
2. Commission for Gender Inequality
3. OECD Development Centre
4. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
5. Equinet
Answer- 4
Explanation- The first-ever Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) has been released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
