Archive for category: Gender Equality

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Social Policies in Paris and Barcelona Reduce Poverty

Social Policies in Paris and BarcelonaAs urban populations across Europe continue to grow, cities are increasingly at the forefront of tackling poverty and inequality. Research shows that urban poverty across the world is shaped not only by income disparity but also by access to housing, health care and other social services. As a result, local governments, which are politically and geographically closer to these challenges, are increasingly important catalysts in designing responsive solutions.

For decades, Paris and Barcelona have led their respective national gender-equality policies to promote urban poverty reduction and prevention. Their application of social policies such as gender-responsive budgeting and comprehensive social service access supports women and children in Barcelona and Paris. These groups are most likely to be systemically impacted by poverty and are prioritized as recipients of targeted care.

Paris, France: Tackling Homelessness and Supporting Families

Despite being France’s largest and most economically productive city, post-pandemic rates of urban poverty in Paris remain higher than the national average. It is widely recognized that the principal driver of such inequality in Paris is the lack of affordable, stable housing. This issue disproportionately affects women and single-parent families.

Since 2000, the French government has attempted to combat the housing crisis. It does this by implementing laws that require cities to have at least 25% social housing, meaning lodgings suitable for low-income families or those with additional needs. The city of Paris currently meets the legal requirements and in 2022, announced plans to reach 40% social housing within the next decade. 

These plans include repurposing “offices, empty schools and garages” to meet growing demand and provide secure, stable housing for thousands more Parisians. As house prices and rents continue to rise across the city, sustaining these policies remains essential to preventing further inequality among low-income households.

Income distribution in Paris is uneven and wage disparities in the region amount to a 21% gap between women and men. Families living in the suburbs, known as the “banlieues,” face further barriers to the kinds of social inclusion that drive poverty alleviation. In response, the Parisian government has made significant progress in supporting low-income, single-parent families, which are statistically more likely to be headed by women.

Monthly financial aid helps reduce cost burdens and stabilize these households, preventing them from falling into urban poverty. By directly addressing housing insecurity and its disproportionate effect on single-parent households, these policies demonstrate how Paris’ structural investment in affordable housing and social support can reduce urban poverty, particularly among women-led households.

Barcelona, Spain: Gender-Responsive Public Spending

Barcelona is a vibrant, youthful city with heralded architecture and cultural icons. However, it also experiences disproportionate rates of urban poverty compared with national averages. Women in Barcelona are significantly more likely to live in conditions of poverty than men, accounting for 20.9% of those at risk of poverty.

In response, the government of Barcelona introduced its “Strategy against the feminization of poverty” initiative in 2016. Over the span of a decade, the policies have worked to address equal hiring practices, workplace treatment, income equality and social support for working mothers and caregivers. They have also systematically evaluated how public spending impacts men and women differently and the subsequent impact on the urban economy.

This approach, known as gender-responsive budgeting, ensures that public spending and resources are directed toward the specific needs of women, especially those balancing employment and caregiving responsibilities. Other policies, such as B-MINCOME, have provided financial support to low-income households to help families meet basic needs and improve access to employment and social services. They are predicted to empower hundreds of thousands of citizens financially.

The B-MINCOME initiative addresses rising poverty and social inequalities, in which the average income of Barcelona’s lowest-earning households has dropped by 27% over the last few years. By directing such investment and proactive welfare toward those most affected by poverty, the city is working to reduce inequality at its root. This demonstrates how city-level policy can create more effective urban poverty reduction.

Different Approaches, Same Outcome

While Paris and Barcelona have adopted different approaches to tackling inequality, both demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted, city-level strategies in addressing the drivers of urban poverty. Whether through structural investment in housing or gender-responsive public spending, these policies prioritize those most affected, particularly women and low-income households. As urban populations continue to grow, these approaches offer valuable insights into how local governments can contribute to meaningful and sustainable urban poverty reduction.

Social policies in Paris and Barcelona are shaped around lived realities. This creates more inclusive, resilient and empowered communities for the future.

– Hannah Michie

Hannah is based in Nice, France and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Top Facts About Gender Violence in Morocco

Gender Violence in MoroccoMorocco is a sovereign nation in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Located on the northwest coast of Africa, it borders the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, bridging Africa and Europe. It is a constitutional monarchy with a rich, diverse culture, known for its mix of Arab, Berber and European influences, with its capital being Rabat.

Contributing Factors

  1. More than half of women report experiencing violence. As of 2019, about 57% of women in Morocco have been or are currently victims of domestic violence. This translates to six million individuals being abused at the hands of their partners.
  2. Society is not concerned. According to the U.S. Department of State, Moroccan police treat domestic violence as a social issue rather than a criminal matter.
  3. Violence takes many forms, not only physical. These include sexual assault, as well as psychological and emotional abuse. Psychological abuse is the most common, affecting more than 95.8% of non-single women in 2018.
  4. Domestic environments are a major site of abuse in Morocco. A large share of violence occurs within family or intimate partner relationships. Among teenage girls, more than half report experiencing some form of violence. This highlights domestic abuse as a major driver of gender-based violence in Morocco.
  5. Underreporting is common. Only about 3% of survivors formally report violence, often due to stigma or fear. This is often linked to family pressure, where abuse is treated as a private matter that should not be disclosed publicly. Survivors are discouraged from reporting, especially through legal channels, due to concerns about the consequences. These include children growing up without a father and the loss of perceived protection or financial support from husbands.
  6. Cultural norms contribute to silence. Economic dependency and unequal gender power dynamics are frequently cited as barriers to leaving abusive relationships.
  7. Tens of thousands of cases are recorded annually. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 28,980 cases of violence against women were reported in Morocco.

Call to Action

To address gender-based violence, Morocco has implemented policies regarding child and forced marriage laws following the Amina Filali case. Filali was a 16-year-old who killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist. The Moroccan government reformed its penal code to raise the legal age of marriage, criminalize forced marriages and increase protections for victims of sexual violence. 

Beyond legislation, Morocco has also established shelters for survivors, hotlines for reporting abuse and awareness campaigns to educate the public about gender-based violence. Furthermore, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women provide legal aid, psychological support and vocational training to help survivors gain independence and escape abusive environments. 

Conclusion

Violence against women in Morocco has prevailed for centuries. It dates back to historical social structures shaped by patriarchal family systems, tribal and kinship traditions and legal norms that gave men greater authority within households. For much of Morocco’s history, women’s economic dependence, limited access to education and social expectations around marriage and obedience reinforced unequal power dynamics. 

Domestic matters were often treated as private family issues rather than legal concerns. However, recently, efforts have been made to change this, including the passing of Law 103-13 (Morocco) in 2018. The law criminalizes certain forms of violence against women and aims to improve protection and prevention efforts. 

However, despite these legal reforms, historical social structures continue to influence attitudes toward domestic violence today.

– Veda Mungara

Veda is based in Cupertino, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Inequality in Azerbaijan

Gender Inequality in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, in southwestern Asia, has a population of more than 10.2 million people, with more than 5 million women. While progress has been made through projects by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD), patriarchal values and gender stereotypes continue to hinder socioeconomic and political equality.

Gender Disparity in the Workforce

Azerbaijan has made legal progress on women’s employment, but gender segregation and pay inequality limit women’s economic participation. Women make up 17% of the workforce in transport and storage, 11% in energy and 8% in construction. According to the World Bank, women in Azerbaijan earn 35% less than men on average.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women’s data, gender inequality in Azerbaijan remains a structural problem across both public and private sectors. Women and girls aged 15 and above spend an average of 25.4% of their daily time on unpaid care and domestic work. This unequal burden limits women’s ability to participate in paid employment, education and public life.

Women in Politics

According to the Baku Research Institute, the level of women’s political participation remains low. In 2024, women’s representation in Milli Majlis, the national parliament, reached 20.8%. In 2025, women’s representation in municipalities was 39.34%. According to 2025 statistics, there are no female heads of executive authorities or ministers in Azerbaijan, and there are only six female deputy members. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, Azerbaijan ranked 133rd out of 146 countries in 2024 in terms of political participation.

Gender stereotypes, women’s economic dependence and the political environment in Azerbaijan function as interconnected factors that affect women’s political participation. Society often perceives a woman’s place as being in the family and at home, while men are regarded as the main decision makers.

Women-Led Initiatives to Tackle Gender Inequality

In Azerbaijan, efforts to address gender inequality have taken the form of women-led civic initiatives. UNDEF has funded a project to establish Azerbaijan’s first women’s parliament, giving female leaders a platform to push for stronger rights and better governance. The initiative brings together women from civil society, business and academia to address issues such as girls’ education, maternal health, early marriage and support for female entrepreneurs. The project aims to turn women’s participation into influence on public policy.

WARD is an independent nongovernmental organization in Azerbaijan dedicated to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Over the years, WARD has launched the country’s first maternity school, the first Women’s Resource Center, the Women’s Dialogue School and its first expert group on gender. The organization has also led several awareness-raising campaigns across the country.

In an interview with U.N. Women, WARD chair Shahla Ismayil said that women-led think tanks occupy a space where expertise meets empathy and where knowledge becomes a tool for change. She added that initiatives such as the Women’s Dialogue School prepare a new generation of women leaders to enter public life and propose practical solutions, ensuring that women’s leadership becomes institutional rather than episodic.

Looking Ahead

Women in Azerbaijan have made measurable efforts to address gender inequality despite societal challenges. NGOs and activists continue to work toward structural change, with initiatives such as the women’s parliament and WARD’s programs offering pathways for greater representation and economic participation.

– Bonnie Parkinson

Bonnie is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women-Centered Approaches: Countering India’s Gender Gap

India's Gender GapIn the past century, research and individual experiences have revealed the vast impact of gender inequality on women worldwide. India’s poverty landscape reflects this reality. As a result, experts and policymakers consistently stress the importance of reducing India’s gender poverty gap.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted earlier progress and deepened disparities between men and women. Many women, including those who were the sole breadwinners of their families, lost their jobs. This subsequently led to more families being pushed below the poverty line.

Since then, the issue has called for strategic initiatives and approaches to address the widening gender inequality in India.

India’s Gender Gap in Poverty

The poverty gender gap in India is deeply rooted and begins affecting women from birth. A 2021 study conducted by the World Bank found that among children from low-income households, the number of girls was higher than that of boys. While the study uses data from more than 90 countries, the difference mainly occurred in India. 

Moreover, this difference only persists in the older age groups. The International Labor Organization (ILO) discovered in 2022 that Indian women earn 20-30% less than their male counterparts. Additionally, social impediments, such as the nature of jobs, complicate women’s efforts to achieve financial independence. 

Other societal differences, such as class and caste, further widen the gender gap. One study, focusing on Scheduled Castes (SC) and on Urban versus Rural poverty, from 2021 identified this difference. The study states that SC women earn only 55% of what women from other castes earn. 

Additionally, there also arises a difference within this subset when considering urban and rural differences. SC women in urban areas earn slightly more than their rural counterparts. However, it remains lower than that of urban women from other castes. Furthermore, according to another 2023 report, female-headed households showed higher odds of becoming urban poor than male-headed households. 

Why Are Women Becoming More Vulnerable to Poverty?

When analyzing the reasons behind India’s gender gap in poverty, several causes come to light. As mentioned earlier, social impediments pose a major difficulty for women. For instance, in Indian society, women often work as domestic help, as in other countries. Domestic work, apart from paying less, is also not included in the national GDP. 

This indicates that women’s earnings go unaccounted for in national and international statistics. Relatedly, due to the existing patriarchal model, women also face difficulties due to male-favoring inheritance laws. Studies showed that only 13% of women in India own agricultural land, compared to men. Due to the aforementioned laws, women find it harder to gain control of their assets. 

However, one of the major drivers of rising poverty among women is limited access to education. In India, school dropout rates are often alarmingly higher among girls than boys. Early marriages in families residing below the poverty line result in many women not having their high school diplomas. 

The Indian Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MOSPI) released a detailed education report in 2016. In this report, females account for higher numbers in nearly every category of student dropouts aged 5 to 29, with only a few exceptions. Additionally, according to the 2020 census, the female literacy rate was 70.3%, 14.4 percentage points lower than the male literacy rate of 84.7%. The lack of education hinders a wide range of opportunities that could help women become financially independent. 

Government Initiatives and Programs Aiding Women in Poverty

Women’s empowerment has been an integral part of the Indian government’s agenda in the last few decades. From abolishing Sati to providing education for girls, Indian lawmakers have always focused on opening new avenues of concession for women. While there are implementation issues, the government provides funding for new women-centered initiatives every year. 

In 2026, leaders announced schemes for girl child, for women entrepreneurs and capital development. The “Lakpathi Didi Scheme” aims to help women in self-help groups earn more than $1,000. This strategy, when effectively implemented, can alleviate poverty largely among women. 

Another economic development initiative, the Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme, aims to support the growth of women entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, the government enables eligible women to access business loans of up to $3,224 to establish their enterprises. 

Thirdly, officials also announced the “Stand Up India Mission,” focusing on lower-strata social groups. Women from the SC and the Scheduled Tribes are the target audience for this initiative. It provides loans ranging from $12,900 to $129,000. Through this, the government claims to cover nearly 75% of the production costs for these women’s startups.

Finally, in the spirit of providing financial security, parents of newborn girls can now open bank accounts offering high interest rates. This program, called the “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana,” was launched as part of the Girl Child Scheme from 2015. 

Other Gender Gap Reduction Strategies

Experts and lawmakers have stated that reducing the gender gap requires more than a single approach. The above governmental schemes directly address women’s economic deficiencies, aiming to elicit long-term solutions. For this reason, world changemakers believe that education is a powerful tool for women’s empowerment.

Shivani Nithyanandhan is a member of Kongu Business Forum, a platform that aims to empower individuals in business in the Kongu region. She spoke to The Borgen Project about different strategies that could help women become financially secure. Speaking of education, Nithyanandhan stated, “Access to education and skill development is key. When women are equipped with relevant skills, whether in business, digital literacy or vocational areas, they gain the confidence and ability to earn independently.” 

Nithyanandhan also discussed the need for a supportive community for women in poverty to help them set up businesses. The Kongu Business Forum regularly conducts knowledge-sharing sessions to educate women about business opportunities in their locale. Since the Kongu region’s major source of income is agriculture, Nithyanandhan says that the forum aims to help women explore opportunities in agri-related enterprises.

Looking Ahead

India’s gender gap in poverty, similar to that of other countries, has received focus over the last few decades. While visible results do exist, women’s lack of awareness about upliftment schemes continues to hinder widespread growth. Nithyanandhan from the Kongu Business Forum discusses the need for financial and digital literacy that could help prevent this issue. 

She also discussed how women’s empowerment within impoverished populations can have a ripple effect. When educated and financially empowered, the female population can positively impact the growth of their community. In this manner, reducing the gender gap also contributes to reducing global poverty.

– Shafika Fathima 

Shafika is based in Chennai, India and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Equality in Nigeria: Fighting For Female Safety

Gender Equality in NigeriaNigeria has a population of 242.4 million, making it the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. About 46% of Nigeria’s population live below the international poverty line and 3.4 million people are internally displaced including vulnerable women and girls. A further 60% of adolescent girls are absent from secondary school.

Gendered Issues in Nigeria

Gender equality in Nigeria remains an ongoing struggle. According to Girls Not Brides, 12% of girls marry before the age of 15 and 30% before 18. These statistics are influenced by poverty and education rates, with 71% of women with no formal education reporting having married before the age of 18. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one in three women experiences physical violence by the age of 15, often related to domestic circumstances.

Poverty is a driving factor, as 46% of the population lives below the poverty line. Economic pressures can lead families to arrange early marriages, which perpetuates unequal gender norms and limits women’s educational and professional opportunities.

Women for Women International

Women for Women International (WFWI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 that works to support women across 17 countries affected by conflict or injustice. Since 2000, WFWI Nigeria has reached more than 84,306 women. Its flagship program, Stronger Women Stronger Nations (SWSN), promotes gender equality in Nigeria through vocational and financial skills training, academic education, health education and support networks for vulnerable women.

WFWI has also taken action to address the root causes of gender inequality by engaging men. Given the data on domestic abuse, forced marriage and gender-based violence (GBV), WFWI identified that creating allies within the male population in Nigeria is integral to resolving gender inequality.

According to a study published in the Pan African Medical Journal in 2022, the highest prevalence of physical or sexual intimate partner violence was reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, at 65.64%. In Nigeria, information from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey shows that 33% of women between 15 and 49 experience physical or sexual violence. The prevalence rate of GBV is 74.4% among survivors under 18, further reinforcing the risks for girls in early marriages.

WFWI’s men’s engagement program launched in Nigeria in 2002 with the aim of educating men on women’s health, the social and economic issues women face, and how men can offer support. The program creates focus groups and targets men in the community with religious, military or civil society backgrounds, creating a pathway for these men to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality in Nigeria.

Results of SWSN and Men’s Engagement

SWSN has had a measurable impact on gender equality in Nigeria since its launch in 2000. Change agents, women who received SWSN training and spread it through the community, have navigated the challenge of educational equality by establishing a mixed-gender primary school in the state of Bauchi. These agents were responsible for bringing nearly half of the 92 students to this school.

The program has reached more than 92,000 Nigerian women, with more than 5,000 graduating from SWSN in 2024. WFWI reports that graduates doubled their monthly earnings through newly acquired business skills, and 83% of graduates reported feeling actively involved in their public and private lives, compared with 36% at enrollment. Women’s knowledge of their political and national rights increased from 55% to 92%.

In the men’s focus groups, results have also been positive. WFWI acknowledges that women’s empowerment is not only achieved by reducing men’s power but that gender equity also benefits men’s health, household environments, financial matters and communities. Nearly 53,000 men have been reached since 2002, with more than 17,000 joining the project in Nigeria. One man, Murhula, has claimed that “my life has really changed” from his participation. His realization that “We thought that certain jobs are just for men […], but today I can say that the work a man can do, a woman also can do it.”

Looking Ahead

With the continuation of SWSN and the men’s engagement program, progress toward gender equality in Nigeria extends beyond policy into education, homes and communities. WFWI’s model demonstrates that addressing gender inequality requires engaging both women and men.

– Jaya Noonan

Jaya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Initiatives Helping Domestic Violence Survivors in Pakistan

Domestic Violence Survivors in PakistanAccording to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, about 70% of women in Pakistan have experienced domestic violence. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that one in three women experiences at least one form of domestic abuse during her lifetime. Women living in poverty are more vulnerable to domestic violence, especially when they lack education and financial independence. 

Impoverished women also do not have their community or family’s support when it comes to gender-based violence. Furthermore, the police are often unwilling to help them, which further exacerbates their situation. 

Domestic Violence and the Law

This year, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill of 2026. The new law imposes stricter punitive measures for perpetrators and increases protections for those suffering from domestic violence. Under the bill, domestic violence includes acts causing bodily harm, stalking, harassment, repeated humiliation, threats of violence, false allegations, abandonment and coercion. 

It also includes threats of divorce, threats of a second marriage, sexual conduct that violates dignity, depriving someone of financial resources or restricting access to money or property. Stronger legal protections for victims and penalties for aggressors are steps toward ending domestic violence. However, they do little for women whose cases never reach the courts, whose abuse goes unreported or whose perpetrators are protected by local police. 

Thus, below are some initiatives helping domestic violence survivors in Pakistan, especially those already living in poverty. 

Panah 

The Panah Shelter Home provides refuge for survivors of domestic violence in Pakistan. It aims to rehabilitate abused women, improve their well-being and help them reintegrate into society stronger. The home provides survivors with resources, social services and access to social workers, lawyers, doctors and psychiatrists. 

Panah also equips them with skills for financial independence through literacy classes and vocational training in arts, crafts, cooking, sewing and beauty treatments. Women can also participate in recreational activities such as art therapy, yoga and games.

Bedari

Bedari is a national nongovernmental organization that addresses violence against women and children. It established the country’s first crisis center for domestic violence survivors. At first, the organization provided domestic violence survivors with resources such as legal aid, medical care, psychiatric counseling and other support services. 

Recently, Bedari launched initiatives to educate the public and raise awareness about the harms of domestic violence, aiming to denormalize abuse against women in Pakistani society. It also runs programs that empower, educate and train women to become financially independent, helping them escape abuse and poverty. These projects have impacted more than 3,000 women and girls in the Khushab and Bhakhar districts of Pakistan.

Dastak

Dastak Society is a justice center that supports survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in Pakistan through its women’s protection and child rights units. The center provides crisis management services, a 24/7 helpline, free legal assistance and shelter for survivors. Dastak Society also runs campaigns and programs to increase outreach, build capacity, raise community awareness and sensitize the public. 

These projects aim to shift sociocultural attitudes that enable domestic violence and ultimately bring an end to all violence against women.

Shirkat Gah

The Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Center is one of Pakistan’s leading women’s rights organizations, advocating for gender equity and addressing gender-based violence. It supports survivors of domestic violence, forced marriage and sexual violence. The center also provides training and safe spaces for connection, learning and social services. 

Its goal is to help women become more resilient and better informed about their right to live free from violence.

Humqadum Mobile App

With funding from the U.N. Trust Fund, the Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre, the National Commission on the Status of Women and Lahore University of Management Sciences collaborated to release a free mobile application called Humqadam. The app connects survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with existing support services across Pakistan, including legal aid and psychosocial counseling. 

It provides 24/7 support while helping break the taboo around seeking help and raising awareness of available resources.

Ending Domestic Violence in Pakistan

To conclude, several initiatives support domestic violence survivors in Pakistan, including a mobile app that connects them to available services. However, domestic violence will persist as long as gender-based violence remains normalized and widely ignored in Pakistani society. Ending domestic violence requires stronger educational initiatives and a broader societal shift in attitudes toward gender-based violence.

– Umaymah Suhail

Umaymah is based in Karachi, Pakistan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Gender Pay Gap in Slovenia

Gender Pay Gap in SloveniaGender equality in Slovenia has been improved drastically over time, yet performance is considered lower than EU standards. Slovenia recorded a score of 58.0 points out of 100 in the gender equality index, holding 18th place in the EU. This is attributed to low performance in the domains of knowledge and power. The gender pay gap in Slovenia is regarded as one of the clearest signs that this progress has not yet been translated into an equal workplace.

Gender Disparities in Earnings and Why It Matters

 Gender disparities in earnings in Slovenia are considered among the lowest in the EU. Women who have a partner earn an average of 84% of their spouses’ earnings, while men who live with their partners earn an average of 27% more than their spouses. The European Institute for Gender Equality has reported that the gender pay gap is most pronounced for young people, foreign born individuals and couples that have children.

A small national average gap can still coexist with serious unfairness if women are overrepresented in low-paid roles or underpaid within the same jobs. Through strong transparency rules, enforcement and cultural change around caregiving and leadership, Slovenia will be crucial for Slovenia to move from a relatively small gap to genuine pay for equal work.

Improvements Over Time

The biggest improvement over time has taken place in the domain of power. Political power has increased, with a share of women on the board of the central bank. Slovenia’s score in the domain of money has also improved, which has improved the gender pay gap in terms of the distribution of earnings and income. Slovenia has recorded the third-highest score of the EU-28 in the sub-domain of economic situation, which deals with the risk of poverty and the distribution of wealth throughout the population.

Why the Gap Persists 

The gender pay gap persists in Slovenia both between employers and within the same employers. Women and men ending up in different jobs partly explains the rising job gaps. Slovenia has overtaken its regional peers’ gender pay gaps at 7.2%, alongside a high female labor force and stronger workplace equality measures. These figures are promising, but smaller gaps can sometimes reflect labor market structures where women are over-represented in low-paid sectors, rather than true career advancement or leadership roles. Persistent informal norms and expectations about gender roles keep inequality and the gender pay gap in place.

Consequences for Women in Slovenia

The gender pay gap has real consequences for women and their families. A woman who is consistently earning less than their male colleagues has less money to cover rising costs, save for emergencies or invest in housing. Over time, lower pay, as well as taking breaks for childcare, means women will have a smaller pension, leaving them at a greater risk of experiencing poverty at old age. The average man’s pension in Slovenia is 10% higher than women’s. Women who see their work as undervalued are often less likely to apply for promotions, which reinforces the idea that top positions are ‘for men.’ This cycle shows why even a relatively small national pay gap can cause huge inequalities. 

Solutions To Tackle the Gender Pay Gap

 Slovenia does not currently have a national mandatory gender pay gap reporting system for employers, but as an EU member, it will need to implement the EU Pay Transparency Directive by June 7, 2026. This will impose gender pay gap reporting and greater pay transparency in future years. These new rules will introduce structured obligations, more visibility for employees, and concrete enforcement measures, and workers will have the right to know the average pay for doing the same or equivalent work. For Slovenia, this is a huge turning point as greater transparency makes hidden gaps visible and allows women, unions and society to demand change, hence why detailed reporting is crucial.

Another initiative that the government introduced to tackle the gender pay gap is by introducing specific guidelines for gender mainstreaming in the work of ministries. This will help ministries in gender mainstreaming in their specific fields of work and specify the roles of Coordinators for Equal Opportunities of Men and Women. The goals of the resolution from 2023-2030 include reducing the gender pay gap in all areas of social life, achieving an equal division of care work between parents, and overcoming stereotypes and sexist and discriminatory practices that deepen gender inequality.

Looking to the Future

There have been huge improvements in the effort to resolve the gender pay gap in Slovenia. However, inequalities still prevail, through governments implementing a national mandatory gender pay gap reporting system as well as guidance for gender mainstreaming, Slovenia will be able to lessen the gender pay gap, ensuring a better quality of living for all people.

– Bonnie Parkinson

Bonnie is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Gender Wage Gap in Panama

Gender Wage Gap in PanamaGender equality remains a vital issue in global development. However, many countries like Panama have made significant progress towards improving opportunities for women. Over the past decades, Panama has implemented various policies and initiatives in order to decrease gender equality in the political, social and economic landscapes. Despite these efforts, wage gaps, unequal political representation and disparities continue to pose problems for women.

Key Aspects of Gender Equality

An important aspect of gender equality is the legal framework that upholds women’s rights. Panama has initiated many laws and regulations surrounding gender equality and protecting women from violence and discrimination. According to a report from the UN Women organization, there are about 88.9% of legal frameworks surrounding gender equality and the protection of women from violence in the country. These frameworks in particular signify the country’s commitment to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Another critical aspect of gender equality is economic participation. In Panama, there is an increase of women working in labor forces, leadership roles and business and institutions. The World Bank reports that the participation of women in the labor force has steadily increased over the previous years with 54.9% in 2025. In addition, small and medium women owned enterprises significantly contribute to the national economy.

A press release by the Ministry of Labour and Workforce Development of Panama states that as per a UN Women study, the gender wage gap in Panama is about 11.5%.

One of the biggest contributors to poverty is the gender wage gap in Panama. Due to the fact that women earn lower than men, their ability to lift themselves and their loved ones decreases. Higher gender wage gaps usually indicate that women-led households tend to have higher risk of poverty. 

According to the Panama Country Gender Scorecard by the World Bank Group, in 2010, a woman in the 25th percentile would earn 75 cents per every dollar a man earned. In 2019, this gap worsened with 59 cents for every dollar.

The World Economic Forum released a 2025 report on Gender Based Gap in which Panama ranks 107th in the world based on wage equality for similar work. In 2025, the estimated earned income difference between a male and a female was $12.04.

Political Representation and Social Challenges

Although women continue to be more involved in the country’s economy, they continue to remain unrepresented in the government. According to UN Women Data, women held 22.5% of parliamentary seats in Panama. Prioritizing women in politics will ensure that more of the population has representation.

Social expectations of women are often that women are expected to commit to domestic responsibilities more than men. As per UN Women Data, women spend almost 18% of their time on household chores and unpaid care whereas men only spend 7.6% of their time. The imbalance prevents women from being encouraged and pursuing education and employment.

Solutions Over the Years

In order to resolve these disparities. Panama has developed connections with international initiatives that work on reducing gender equality. For example, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) is a global partnership designed to close the gender wage gap. Through EPIC, Panama works with other international organizations and governments to advocate and promote economic opportunities and fair wages for women.

Post-Pandemic women had been facing significant disadvantages and lacked economic opportunities. In order to improve the economy, government representatives, specifically from the labor and employer sector created the National Plan for Equal Pay. This originated through collaboration between different government organizations as well as the support of UN Women and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

To address the gender wage gap in Panama, different ministries such as Labour and Workforce Development, Social Development and Foreign Affairs of the Republic contributed to the UNDP Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector which assists companies with addressing gender pay issues, sexual harassment and leadership opportunities for women.

Looking Ahead

Panama’s solutions to its problems regarding gender wage gaps sound promising, particularly when partnering with other reputable and impactful organizations. The country still has a long path ahead of itself to increase fairness amongst its people, but the desire for change is there and that is what is needed. 

– Hasini Muddapu

Hasini is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Women-Led Government Drives Gender Equality in Namibia

Gender Equality in NamibiaIn the last 18 months, Namibia has emerged as a leader of gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa. In the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, Namibia ranks first among African nations and 8th globally. The country’s progress reflects decades of gender-focused policies and increasing representation of women in political leadership.

The U.N., the World Economic Forum and the World Bank widely recognize that when women hold political power, they often prioritize reforms that strengthen economies and make governments more responsive to citizens’ needs. As the U.N. notes, “Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.” 

In the wake of International Women’s Day 2026, The Borgen Project is highlighting Namibia’s women-led government and the recent reforms that demonstrate how this leadership can drive tangible social and economic progress.

Female Political Leadership in Namibia

The key factor distinguishing Namibia’s progress toward gender equality from that of other nations is the strong representation of women across its government, which has enabled significant social, economic and civic reforms. Currently, Namibia’s president, vice president, speaker of the National Assembly and eight of its 14 cabinet ministers are women. According to the U.N. Women and Inter-Parliamentary Union ranking, Namibia ranks first in the world for women’s representation in government leadership. 

This level of representation has also led to greater policy and fiscal prioritization of social reform and education, contributing to poverty reduction in the country.

Gender Equality in Namibia: Driving Policy Reform

Several reforms in Namibia have both contributed to and benefited from women’s presence in political leadership. The National Gender Policy, renewed for another decade in 2025 by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, strengthens gender equality by providing a framework to address the intersections of poverty, social attitudes and gender-based violence.

Since 1998, Namibia’s employment law has been shaped by the Affirmative Action Act, which promotes fair hiring practices, expands employment opportunities for women and protects against pay disparities. These measures help normalize a gender-equal workforce in which women are hired, paid and treated equally in the workplace.

Namibia is often referred to as the birthplace of the U.N.’s Women, Peace and Security agenda, which was adopted as a resolution in 2000. The country presided over its adoption 26 years ago and now has one of the world’s most gender-balanced cabinets.

Expanding Economic Opportunities for Namibian Women

The Ministry of Gender Equality’s Beijing+30 Country Report highlights Namibia’s recent progress in advancing gender equality. In economic development, the government has focused on equal pay, ending workplace harassment and improving women’s access to financial infrastructure and services. Supported by U.N. Women and the World Bank, Namibia’s Affirmative Action Act has increased women’s participation in executive, management and public service roles. 

As a result, women now represent a larger share of employed professionals than men, reflecting the impact of broader equality policies in the country. In 2014, the Namibian government adopted Gender-Responsive Budgeting Guidelines to direct public funds toward gender equality and equitable socioeconomic development for women, men and children. In practice, this has meant allocating millions of Namibian dollars to community development centers, education, agricultural infrastructure and income grants, all identified for their roles in improving the livelihoods of women and children.

However, in 2025, less than 2% of the national budget was allocated through gender-responsive budgeting. Namibia’s speaker of the National Assembly has argued that for the policy to have a lasting impact, it must be implemented consistently rather than only when the need arises, noting that “sporadic success isn’t systemic transformation.”

Education and Social Development

Primary education has been free in Namibia since 2013 and secondary education since 2016. Enrollment now stands at about 90% and the country has achieved near gender parity, with similar numbers of boys and girls attending school. In the classroom, students have access to programs that support girls’ pathways into STEM and leadership, alongside curriculum campaigns promoting girls’ rights and gender equality in Namibia.

These initiatives aim to expand educational and professional opportunities for young women, particularly in fields where they have been historically underrepresented. Research from the World Bank shows that universal education for girls is closely linked to higher future earnings, improved health outcomes and long-term poverty reduction.

What Namibia’s Progress Means Globally

The trickle-down effect of women holding political power has undoubtedly improved gender equality in Namibia. These figures have directly influenced the creation and development of gender-focused policies that target social and economic reforms nationwide. The reforms reach workplaces and classrooms, giving women and girls the knowledge, tools and institutional support to contribute to the country’s sustainable development for generations to follow.

Namibia’s experience demonstrates that sustained political commitment to gender equality can lead to measurable social and economic gains. This commitment, which itself becomes both a cause and effect of representative leadership, can move the country and the African continent closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with women leading the charge.

– Hannah Michie

Hannah is based in Nice, France and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Closing the Gender Wage Gap in Uruguay & Poverty Reduction

Gender Wage Gap in UruguayAbout 83.3% of girls whereas 72.7% of boy’s complete lower secondary school in Uruguay as of 2023 with literacy rates almost equivalent between men and women (98.6% – 99.2%). Yet the proportion of women living in poverty (8.8%) is nearly double that of men (4.8%). As education isn’t the issue, the cause could be the gender wage gap in Uruguay.

The Gender Wage Gap in Uruguay

The gender wage gap refers to the average difference in hourly earnings between working men and women, usually expressed as a percentage. In Uruguay, INE analysis shows men generally earn up to 27% more than women. Women and girls aged 15+ also spend nearly double as much of their time doing unpaid work (19.9%) compared to men, who spend 8.4% of their time on unpaid work according to UN Women.

Workers in vulnerable employment are the least likely to have formal working contracts, social protection or safety nets to protect them from economic shocks, which makes them more likely to fall into poverty. Women hold 24.7% of vulnerable employment in Uruguay.

As of 2026, a woman has never held the office of the presidency in Uruguay. Today, women occupy 22.3% of parliamentary seats in Uruguay, despite women making up 51.5% of the population. Underrepresentation in politics can stop policymakers from pushing policies that advance women’s roles in the workforce as well as their earning potential.

Progress Towards Addressing the Gender Wage Gap

Uruguay has made major moves forward in women’s rights since the 20th century, which reduced women’s poverty and improved the economy overall. The labor force participation rate for women has increased by nearly 10% since 1990 (42.6% then compared to 57.3% now). This rate stands higher than the average across Latin America and the Caribbean where women’s labor force participation rates sit at 51.2%.

The share of women working in high income positions has also increased marginally since 1990 (50.1% in 1990 compared to 54.3% today). This figure stands slightly higher than the global rate of women working in high income positions, which sits at 49.1%. 

What More Can be Done?

Despite these incredibly important milestones over the last century, Uruguay has not yet achieved gender equality in wages, which contributes to continued poverty in the country today.

Research suggests that governments could reduce the gender wage gap by implementing policies that allow women to participate in the workforce more freely. Policies that reduce informal employment, strengthen labor protections and identify and address discrimination or gender bias in hiring, pay and promotion would greatly benefit women in work according to the Inter-American Development Bank.

Conclusion

Uruguay has progressed in gender equality related to the wage gap by improving the pathway from education to workforce participation. Nevertheless, disparities remain in income and employment conditions, which contributes to higher levels of poverty across the country.

International organizations such as UN Women and the Inter-American Development Bank indicate that implementing policies and addressing informal employment could significantly reduce gender gaps. 

– Yemi Mary John

Yemi is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr