Gender equality attitudes study

In 2018, a Gender Equality Attitudes pilot study was initiated to shed light on the existence and magnitude of stereotypical attitudes and gender bias.

The study focused on 10 countries, including Colombia, India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, The Philippines, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United States.

The study serves as an evidence-based instrument that demonstrates how leveraging attitudinal change can be used as a critical tactic towards advancing gender equality. The findings have the potential to inform policymakers, advertisers, private sector leaders, civil society and decision-makers on challenging discriminatory attitudes and gender roles that perpetuate gender inequality and women’s subordinate status in society.

Key messages emanating from the 10-country pilot study include:

1. People are aware of gender inequalities faced by women across development dimensions.

Gaps are perceived to be smaller or nonexistent in access to basic services like education and health.

• 48% think the quality of healthcare is good or excellent for most women (compared to 46% for men).
• 53% think it is easy for most women to get quality education (compared to 58% for men).

Significant gaps are perceived in areas of social interaction:

a) Within the household:

• 56% think that most women have control over their lives (compared to 70% for men).
• 53% think that most women feel safe when in their home (compared to 66% for men).
• 57% think that most women have a lot of influence on the decision of who to marry (compared to 68% for men).
• 57% think most women have control over their personal finances (compared to 71% for men).

b) In the economy:

• 43% think that it is easy for most women to be hired as skilled worker (compared to 55% for men).
• 50% think that most women have easy access to buy property (compared to 68% for men).

c) In politics:

• 35% think that it is easy for most women to run for elected office (compared to 63% for men).

2. Still, social norms and cultural attitudes justify gender discrimination–among the very same respondents.

• 31% think it is appropriate for men to discuss a female’s colleague appearance at work.
• 22% think that there are acceptable circumstances for someone to hit a spouse/partner.
• 28% think that a woman should not earn more than her husband.
• 29% think that --for the same job—men should be paid more than women.
• 41% think that when a mother works, the children suffer.
• 13% do not agree that women should have access to family planning.
• 23% do not agree that women should be free to refuse sex with her partner

3. People think media contributes to gender stereotyping.

• 54 % think that media only portrays women in certain roles.
• 53 % think that media only portrays men in certain roles.

4. There is an overwhelming consensus that gender equality is important for the country’s future success.

• 84% believe that it is essential for society to treat women as equal to men.
• 91% believe equal pay for equal work regardless of a person’s gender is important for the country’s future success.
• 89% believe more affordable primary health care for women is important for the country’s future success.
• 88% believe more access to higher education for women is important for the country’s future success.
• 91% believe more respect for women’s rights in all areas is important for the country’s future success.
• 78% believe more opportunities for women in politics are important for the country’s success.
• 87% believe in more opportunities for women in business are important for the country’s success.

The report can be downloaded here.