Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Spanners, petticoats and other 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.

Are male economists missing the point? Care – still overwhelmingly carried out by women – is systematically undervalued. (Guardian)

A new tool for gender equality in Nigeria: the spanner. The Lady Mechanic, an NGO, is equipping young women to tackle the jobs crisis. (Global Post)

What would your ideal work-life balance be? Whether you’re a man or a woman, the answer is most likely the same. (World Economic Forum)

Church of England ordains first female bishop. A lone protester failed to disrupt the service. (Financial Times)

Will 2015 be a turning point for African women? The continent has three female presidents and a lot of ambition. (African Arguments)

Why women are hit harder by natural disasters. And how the aid system should change to help them. (All Africa)

A tale of two female entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. “There’s not a whole lot you can do to keep your career from being crushed by misogny.” (Newsweek)

“Nations become successful when women do well.” Barack Obama lauds the achievements of Indian women. (NDTV)

The real economic effects of paid maternity leave. Mothers who take it are more likely to return to work. (New York Times)

When you’re mocked for your qualifications. In China, one joke says there are three genders: male, female, and female PhD. (Quartz)

How the great blizzard of 1888 killed the petticoat. “Never before was the imbecility of their designer better illustrated.” (Slate)

Statistic of the Week

Men now outnumber women on the planet by 60 million – the highest ever recorded – driven by a preference for sons in India and China, which can lead to gender-selective abortions.

Quote of the Week

Women are essential to ending poverty around the world. Strengthening women’s roles as leaders, entrepreneurs, consumers and economic stakeholders will transform [Africa] for the better.

Makhtar Diop, the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa.

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

Image: An employee holds a spanner as she works at the Krasnobrodskaya-Koksovaya coal plant in Siberia. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin 

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