Equal opportunities for women? Major differences in how women and men see this issue

A global study across 23 countries shows there are wide disparities between countries and almost always men are more positive about gender inequality than women. In addition, most men and women do not think that their governments are doing enough to promote equal opportunities for women.

“These results reveal the stark differences in perception between the sexes on gender equality. Most women still see their opportunities diminished because of their gender, while men are much less likely to be worried by this.” — Jonathan Glennie, Director of the Sustainable Development Research Centre, Ipsos MORI

Ipsos asked the online population in 23 countries whether women have equal opportunities to men in their country and the data suggests that less than half of women surveyed (45%) think they have equal opportunities to men, while six in ten (60%) men think they do.

In the US, 72% of men think women have equal opportunities, compared with 53% of women.

· In Great Britain 67% of men and 51% of women agreeing that women have equality with men. Differences around the globe.

· Differences in perception are especially stark in Poland where 59% of men think opportunities are equal compared to just 32% of women, as well as in Argentina (68% to 43%), South Africa (70% to 47%) and Peru (75% to 55%).

· Globally younger people are more optimistic than older people, with 56% of 18–24 year olds thinking opportunities are equal, compared to 48% of 50–64 year olds.

· Relative income also has an impact; globally, 59% of those earning a higher income in their country believe that women have equal opportunities, compared to 48% of those earning a low income.

Perceptions of gender equality do not always fit the reality, as measured by the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index (2014). For instance, online respondents in India are most likely to say there is gender equality from all the countries surveyed, with 72% of respondents claiming that opportunities are equal between genders, including 68% of women.

Are Governments doing enough?

When asked whether their government is doing enough to promote women’s equality, globally 40% of women don’t think their government is doing enough, while 33% are satisfied with their efforts. In comparison, just under half of men — 48% — feel their government is doing enough to promote equality, and one quarter (25%) disagree.

· In some countries the differences are particularly notable, such as in the US where 60% of men think their government is doing enough, compared to 36% of women. This is the second highest difference in perception between the genders, behind only South Africa.

· The public in Poland, Hungary and Brazil are most critical of their government’s efforts, with around half disagreeing that the government is doing enough. Just one in five women in these countries are satisfied with government efforts to promote women’s equality (Poland — 18%, Hungary — 19%, Brazil — 22%)

· Views in Britain are close to the global average; just over four in ten Britons (43%) believe the government is doing enough to promote gender equality, compared to 40% globally. Agreement in Britain rises to 52% amongst men, whilst for women the figure falls to 35%.

SOURCE: Ipsos Research