13 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.

Men think we’re closing the gender gap at work. Women don’t agree. We need a shared understanding – for the benefit of all. (World Economic Forum)

Nigeria’s sole female presidential candidate. Oluremi Sonaiya wants to rout corruption and run the country differently. (Deutsche Welle)

Transparency pays. What happens when a company tells its employees how much everyone earns? (Fast Company)

Will technology end patriarchy? Physically tough jobs led to a male-dominated world, but the future will look very different. (World Economic Forum)

The key to Arab women’s rights? It’s not what you think. (World Economic Forum archives)

“The financial world should obviously be run by women.” Male-dominated markets create bigger bubbles. (Quartz)

Jamaica turns the gender gap on its head. “Women are the main breadwinners. We push harder to earn.” (Trinidad Guardian)

Are women’s groups diverse enough? Silicon Valley needs more than “a handful of highly successful, white, well-networked women.” (Medium)

The science behind the lack of women in science. “The more controversial question, which is rarely addressed, is whether there are any inherent differences in the average female and male brain.” (Telegraph)

Rajasthan’s female firefighters. How women are extinguishing stereotypes. (Reuters)

When business takes a stand on domestic violence. Companies are finding ways to help combat the scourge. (Financial Times)

Beaten, battered and broke. What makes a woman stay in an abusive relationship. (Warning: strong language. Medium)

The meaning of pink. As a candy-toned campaign bus targeting female voters rolls into controversy in the UK, how one colour came to symbolise so much. (Guardian)

Statistic of the Week

In 1985, women made up 35% of all computer science graduates; today, they’re just 18%.

LinkedIn announces plans to support women in computer science and engineering.

Quote of the Week

“When we say empowerment, what we are really suggesting is that women act more like those who have long been historically empowered – men.”

Roxane Gay, an English professor at Purdue University and the author of Bad Feminist.

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

Image: A woman looks at highrise buildings in Tokyo December 13, 2012. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao