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Gender Inequality Continues in Asia and the Pacific |
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04 June 2008
The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007, released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, shows that despite recent gains in gender equality in the region, appalling disparities remain.
In addition to the social and personal costs of gender inequality, there are clear economic ramifications: the region is losing $42 to $47 billion per year because of restrictions on women’s access to employment opportunities and another $16-30 billion per year because of gender gaps in education.
Gender discrimination in the region is most visible in the low access of women and girls to education, health services, economic opportunities and political participation. The report found that at 26%, female primary school enrollment was lower that that of males and only seven countries in the region had parliaments where more than 20% of representatives were women.
The survey proposes several specific recommendations to close the gender gap. Good practices highlighted from across the region and elsewhere show that gender balance can be achieved with limited resources, but this requires changes at the household, societal and national levels. In particular, the report stresses the need for political leadership to redress discrimination against women.
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