19 must-read gender stories of the week

A weekly digest of stories about how the gender gap plays out around the world – in business, health, education and politics.

The importance of quality daycare for working women in Africa.

Are we undervaluing women’s role in the economy?

The gender pay gap starts young. This is what it looks like.

Why developing countries need maternity laws.

How the Zimbabwean government is tackling child marriage.

The real reason young women leave their jobs.

Is an old-boys’ network holding women back?

World leaders accused of backtracking on gender equality commitments. (The Guardian)

Women in tech thriving in startups. (The Huffington Post)

The women behind the cars at the New York auto show, not draped over them. (Fortune)

Women, don’t wait to go into politics. (Harvard Law Today)

The only people not penalized for promoting diversity at work are white men. (Quartz)

Top UK companies still paying lip service to women. (Reuters)

Prince Harry speaks out on women’s education. (The Huffington Post)

How the world’s drug policies penalize women. (Quartz)

Talking to heal. Colombia’s revolutionary women. (Al Jazeera)

Skills training for women can change communities. (The Washington Post)

Women’s health and the A4 waist challenge. (Asia Times)

India’s heroes of women’s cricket. (BBC)

Statistics of the week

Of the top 700 films released in the US in 2014
85% had no female directors
80% had no female writers
33% had no female producers
78% had no female editors
92% had no female cinematographers

Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, 2014
San Diego State University

Quote of the week

“There is no greater force for change, for peace, for justice and democracy, for inclusive economic growth than a world of empowered women."

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Women