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10 Facts for International Women’s Day

The state of women’s rights around the world — at a glance.

March 8, 2014

1. Women perform 66% of the world’s work and produce 50% of the food. They earn just 10% of incomes and own 1% of the property globally.

2. And out of 197 countries, only 22 of them have women currently serving as heads of state — just 11.2%.

3. Women outpace men in educational achievement, with 58% of college graduates. While two-thirds of women graduate in the humanities and the arts, men continue to dominate in science with 60% of graduates.

4. More girls than boys now complete their secondary education in 32 out of 34 OECD countries, accounting for around 60% of the total.

5. In business, the gender gap remains wide. In the United States, for example, only 21 of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women.

6. Men are promoted based on their potential, while women are promoted based on past accomplishments.

7. Research studies confirm a direct correlation between the gender gap in economic opportunities and economic growth.

8. By contrast, the smaller the nation’s gender gap, the higher its economic productivity.

9. In nearly every country, women work longer hours than men and are paid less.

10. Women in poor countries do more unpaid work, work longer hours in the informal economy and face degrading working conditions.

From Women’s Rights Are Human Rights by Valbona Zeneli (The Globalist)

 

 

Takeaways

Out of 197 countries, only 22 of them have women currently serving as heads of state -- just 11.2%.

Women outpace men in educational achievement, with 58% of college graduates.

In the United States only 21 of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women.

Women in poor countries do more unpaid work, work longer hours in the informal economy and face degrading work.