Top 11 gender stories of 2014

Equality drifted over the horizon. It will be 2095 before women have the same career prospects as men. (World Economic Forum)

…But not everyone’s waiting that long. In January, Mary Barra became the first female CEO in the car industry with the top job at General Motors. (Reuters)

Egg-freezing: a perk too far? Silicon Valley funded the treatment to help female employees delay motherhood – and sent shivers down its critics’ spines. (New Yorker)

Dilma Rousseff held onto power in Brazil. One of 13 female world leaders, she was re-elected on the back of rising wages and falling inequality. (The Economist)

#Bringbackourgirls was shared 5 million times. But the 219 school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram remain missing. (CNN)

Women were the hardest hit by Ebola. 75% of victims are women, who traditionally care for the sick. (The Independent)

Gamers got seriously nasty. Feminist critics of video games received rape and death threats, an all-too-familiar feature of any online row. (New York Times)

There was a global drive to end female genital mutilation. The UN Secretary General joined national governments in the fight. (All Africa)

Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban has become a global advocate for girls’ rights. (Channel News Asia)

…While Emma Watson flipped feminism on its head. Her call for men to join the fight launched a global campaign. (CNN)

“I’ve just made the board of directors. And Mom tells me to go buy the milk.” Probably the frankest CEO interview on gender you’ll ever read. (Atlantic)

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Statistic of the Year

The global gender gap in the workplace stood at 60% in 2014, not much better than the 56% first measured by the World Economic Forum in 2006.

One hundred percent represents perfect gender parity. Sadly this remains a hypothetical construct.

Quote of the Year

“We have made great strides toward gender equality. But while our foot might be in the door, we are still standing outside – in the cold.”

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

Author: Ceri Parker, Associate Director, Forum Blog.

Image: Balinese women chat on Kuta beach during sunset in Bali October 12, 2004. REUTERS/Beawiharta