Spain in world's top 10 for gender equality

SPAIN is in the top 10 worldwide for countries with the greatest level of equality between men and women, according to the most recent World Economic Forum report.

Out of 153 nations studied, Spain comes eighth – and many other western European nations, including the UK, do not even make it into the top 10.

In fact, Spain even beats Germany, whose national leader – Chancellor Angela Merkel – is female, fronting a Parliament where 40% of its members are women; the central European nation comes 10th.

The most recent figures available are from early 2020, and show that on a global level, it will take 257 years at the current rate before women have the same financial opportunities as men, and shows that even in European Union countries, where progress is the fastest in this area, the gender pay gap remains at about 21.5%.

Not all the 'most equal' countries are in Europe, though, says the World Economic Forum report – one of the best on earth, coming 9th, is Rwanda, even after its having fallen several places in the past year. 

Over 50% of Rwanda's national Parliament is made up of women, although the country still suffers from a significant gender pay gap with females' salaries being considerably lower than those of males.

Another non-European country in the top 10 which may come as a surprise is Nicaragua, one of the poorest nations in the Americas – coming 5th overall, Nicaragua has worked hard to achieve parity in education at all levels, and boasts a high percentage of women in positions of power and responsibility.

Part of this is possible because, like many Central American nations, many of the men have emigrated to wealthier countries, such as the USA, to work, meaning women are more numerous and effectively 'run the show' in the males' absence.

Again, outside of Europe, but a first-world nation, New Zealand is 6th, having risen from 7th in early 

2019 – here, once more, women are very well represented in positions of power and responsibility in government, business and other organisations, but as is commonly seen even in the world's most equal countries, females still earn less on average than males for jobs of a similar level of qualifications, experience, specialism or essential in their nature.

Spain sits just below the Republic of Ireland, which has been in the top 10 for some years but had risen in the ranking as at early 2020, largely due to the fact it has reached almost absolute parity in secondary education and in access for women to senior jobs.

It is perhaps no surprise that the top four positions are hogged by Scandinavian countries – a part of the world typically the most modern, progressive, wealthy, and with some of the lowest levels of poverty and unemployment.

Sweden comes in at number four – down from number three in early 2019 – since its female participation in the higher echelons of business and politics, and its progress in closing the gender pay gap, has reached a plateau, but it continues to be one of the most equal in both areas on earth.

Finland is at number three, up from number four in 2019, largely because of its female leader and a government made up mainly of women, as well as an increase in the previous year of women's presence in the top-paid professions.

Norway is at number two, the same as in 2019, although its variables have improved, says the World Economic Forum report.

The country of the Fjords has reached almost absolute parity in all aspects of life, including at every level of corporate hierarchy and politics. 

Iceland is officially the most gender-equal country on earth, the report states, thanks to its excellent efforts in increasing female presence in leadership rôles and positions of responsibility across the board.

Spain is described as being one of the countries that has progressed the most between early 2019 and early 2020 – in fact, in that time, it soared by 20 places in one hit.

Coinciding with the new left-wing coalition government's formation after the November 2019 elections – considerably reinforcing the somewhat weak mandate held by the current socialist president since a no-confidence vote against the right-wing opposition put him in the hotseat in summer 2018 – Spain has made dramatic progress in empowering women in its political arena, the World Economic Forum says. 

Women in politics is where Spain has made the most progress in terms of gender equality, and this continues to be one of the existing government's main priorities.

Again, though, like most countries even in the top 10 and practically all of those outside the top three, Spain still suffers from a gender pay gap in almost every profession, the report states.

Latest data show that women on average earn €5,500 less per year before tax than men in the same jobs or those of a similar level of experience, expertise and essential in nature, and that women are more likely to be in part-time positions, menial jobs, or on the minimum wage than men. 

This, again, is an issue Spain's government is determined to address, and ideas floated include free childcare nationwide, and equal maternity and paternity leave, with both raised to 24 weeks from their current 16 for women and eight for men.

To celebrate International Women's Day, find out about some of Spain's greatest female pioneers in history from the Roman times to the Millennium, Spain's top women in sport – along with the Spanish girls who took part in the Dakar Rally's 'most female' race ever, and the incredible true story of the women's national football team during dictator General Franco's time – after all, it's not just about the battle for gender equality; March 8 is, above all, a celebration of the female of the species and to remember all the women in our closest circles who make our lives so much more special.