12 gender stories of the week

This week’s digest of stories about how the gender gap plays out around the world – in business, health, education and politics. Subscribe here to receive this by email.

Should national anthems be gender neutral? “All thy sons” or “all of us” – Canada is divided. (CBC News)

“Too many laws conspire against women who want to work.” Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, on what needs to change around the world. (World Economic Forum)

What is the future of fatherhood? In case you missed it, our Davos interview with the psychologist Adam Grant. (World Economic Forum)

The secrets of women running billion-dollar companies. Three entrepreneurs share what it takes to succeed. (Fast Company)

Four myths about gender and pay. Women get paid less partly because they don’t ask for rises, right? Wrong. (World Economic Forum)

Saudi women can’t drive – but they are making it to work. Inside a female-only advertising agency in Riyadh. (NPR)

South African politicians behaving badly. When will leaders practice what they preach when it comes to respecting women? (Daily Maverick)

Feminist writers see threats as part of their job. “Incessant, violent, sneering, sexualised hatred” pushes many to retire early. (Washington Post)

The unlikely life of Afghanistan’s first female taxi driver. She’s 38, unmarried, outspoken, and has made taxi No. 12925 a revolution. (Washington Post)

Indian women are speaking up against powerful men. Society must not fail them with its silence. (Scroll.in)

Can blind interviews solve tech’s hiring problem? One company takes a lesson from reality TV show The Voice. (Fast Company)

“I read only books by women for a year. Here’s what happened.” (Medium)

Statistic of the Week

Women could buy two houses, 14 cars, or 37 years of family meals, if it weren’t for the gender pay gap.

Quote of the Week

“We are going backwards in a field that is meant to be all about moving forward. We can literally count on one hand the number of women who have come [to Silicon Valley] and turned their dreams into billion-dollar business.”

Hillary Clinton called for better representation for women in the boardrooms of technology companies this week.

Author: Ceri Parker is an Associate Director at the World Economic Forum, and edits the Agenda blog platform.

Image: As the U.S. National Anthem is played, mourners place their hand over their heart during a Remembrance Program in Lincroft, New Jersey at Brookdale Community College. REUTERS/Chip East