Women work longer hours than men, are paid less than men, are subjected to violence and harassment at work, and are less likely to receive social support in their old age, according to a comprehensive new report from U.N. Women. The report, “Progress of the World’s Women 2015-2016: Transforming Economies, Realizing Rights,” calls for an overhaul of global economic and social policies to achieve substantive equality for women around the world.
In many countries, rich and poor, women perform the majority of unpaid household work, are prevented from holding certain types of employment, and face varying degrees of discrimination and sexual harassment on the job. A woman will earn on average thirty to seventy-five percent less than a man during her lifetime, depending on where she lives. The report asks governments to create and enforce laws that protect women from discrimination and increase social services to help alleviate poverty conditions that disproportionately affect women. The report also argues that social attitudes must become more accepting of women in leadership positions and place greater value on women’s work.
Compiled from: Ford, Liz, Less pay, more work, no pension: the 21st-century woman’s lot laid bare, The Guardian (April 27, 2015); Press release: New report from UN Women unveils far-reaching alternative policy agenda to transform economies and make gender equality a reality, UN Women News (April 27, 2015).