Equality Measurement Standards

As the global community increasingly prioritizes gender equality, the need for precise and effective measurement tools has become more critical than ever. The document “Gender Equality Indicators: What, Why, and How?” serves as a pivotal resource for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, offering an in-depth exploration of the essential role that gender equality indicators play in shaping effective and equitable interventions. This document systematically addresses the fundamental questions of what gender equality indicators are, why they are indispensable, and how they can be effectively implemented across various contexts. By delving into both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, it underscores the importance of a nuanced approach to capturing the complexities of gender dynamics. Through the integration of real-world examples and case studies, the document provides practical guidance on the development and adaptation of these indicators to specific socio-cultural environments, ensuring their relevance and impact. Furthermore, the document highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in measuring gender equality, from the political implications of indicator selection to the technical difficulties of data collection in diverse settings. It advocates for the use of gender equality indicators not only as tools for assessment but also as catalysts for change, driving awareness and action towards more inclusive and just societies. By meticulously presenting the principles and practices of gender equality measurement, this document is an invaluable tool for those committed to advancing gender equity. It invites readers to engage deeply with the content, to better understand the pivotal role of gender indicators in achieving sustainable development goals, and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on gender justice.

We’ve spent decades measuring “attitudes toward gender equality.” But this new UN Women paper asks: What if we’ve been asking the wrong questions all along? For years, surveys have told us whether people “agree” that women should work, lead, or study. But as this paper points out, attitudes don’t always predict action... And they rarely capture power. Norms are social, not individual. They’re held in the spaces between people: in expectations, sanctions, and unwritten rules about what’s acceptable. Measuring personal opinions doesn’t tell us how those rules shift, or who enforces them. This is where “Measuring Social Norms for Gender and Development” adds real value. It distills lessons from seven major global initiatives and identifies what’s missing in our metrics: → We track beliefs, but not the collective pressures that keep them in place. → We capture attitudes, but not agency, who gets to defy the norm, and at what cost. → We measure change, but not power in the institutions that either reinforce or dismantle inequality. The paper argues for a next generation of gender indicators that go beyond counting agreement to mapping the conditions that make equality possible throuh law, policy, social recognition, and collective action. Because measuring gender equality isn’t about what people say they believe. It’s about what people feel safe enough to do. #Gender #Norms 🔥 Follow me for similar content

The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSE)Market Monitor: Gender Equality Disclosure Metrics (2025) report highlights how stock exchanges and standard-setting organizations such as #ESRS, #GRI, and #SASB guide companies in disclosing gender equality performance. The goal is to assess how well these metrics align with the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). The findings show that while most stock exchanges encourage gender-related disclosures, they still lack the consistency and depth found in global reporting standards. The analysis reveals that stock exchanges tend to focus on internal company issues such as leadership representation and fair treatment (WEP 1 and 2), while gender aspects across supply chains and community empowerment (WEP 5 and 6) are rarely reported. Frameworks like GRI and ESRS include broader gender indicators such as pay gap and inclusive policies, whereas SASB applies gender metrics to only a few sectors. As a result, available data remain difficult to compare across companies or countries, and often fail to capture real progress toward SDG 5. The report recommends three key actions: first, making gender-related metrics more visible and accessible through centralized guidance; second, agreeing on a consistent global methodology to ensure comparability and credibility of data; and third, fostering collaboration among exchanges, regulators, and standard setters to establish shared principles for harmonized disclosure. Thoughts? Detail: https://sseinitiative.org

Gender Equity Index: a 24-point gap between Sweden and Romania – in all the levels of the organigram. The European Union has set ambitious goals for gender equality, notably with the Women on Boards directive. But gender equality goes far beyond boardrooms. That’s where the Gender Equality Index comes in – developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality, it tracks progress across six key domains : - Work (participation, segregation, quality) - Money (income and financial resources) - Knowledge (education and lifelong learning) - Time (care and social activities) - Power (political, economic and social decision-making) - Health (status, behavior, access) While the 2024 edition shows an overall EU score of 71/100, the gaps between countries remain striking. Leading the way: 🇸🇪 Sweden: 82/100 🇩🇰 Denmark & Netherlands: 78.8/100 🇪🇸 Spain: 76.7/100 At the bottom of the ranking: 🇷🇴 Romania: 57.5 🇭🇺 Hungary: 57.8 🇬🇷 Greece: 59.3 🇨🇾 Cyprus: 60.9 A gap of more than 20 points separates the leaders from the laggards. In short, regulations alone are not enough. Concrete, tailored, and sustainable strategies are essential.