Out of 130 countries representing 93% of the world’s population, assessed in terms of economic participation and opportunity, health and survival, educational attainment and political empowerment, Nordic countries topped the charts in giving greatest equality for women (Global Gap Gender Report) (1). Where a score of 100% represents perfect equality, Norway, Finland and Sweden got the top scores (82%, 82%, 81.4%, respectively). Denmark and the Netherlands are also included in the top ten. The UK was ranked 13th (74%), the US scored 72%. The worst scores included Pakistan (127th), Saudi Arabia (128th), Yemen (130th, 47%). Together, the Nordic countries and their neighbours in Western Europe lead the world in gender equality, accounting for 16 of the top 30 countries.

So, although not the best country in the world in terms of gender parity, the UK does appear to be minding the gap. The UK does however have some shocking statistics to address (2,3,4):

(a) 1 in 4 women will suffer domestic violence in their lifetimes

(b) 21 men and 93 women were killed by a partner/ex-partner/lover in 2010/2011

(c) 400,000 women are sexually assaulted and 80,000 women are raped each year

(d) 24,000 girls under the age of 15 are estimated to be at risk of female genital mutilation

(e) 1,500 cases were given advice and support by the Forced Marriage Unit in 2011, and 600 cases had advice and support between January and May 2012; between 5,000 and 8,000 cases of forced marriage were estimated for England in 2008.

Our government has signed up to the Council of Europe’s convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CAHVIO) showing our commitment to tackle issues that include forced marriage, female genital mutilation, stalking, and physical, psychological and sexual violence.

In June 2012, David Cameron announced that “forced marriage is wrong, is illegal and will not be tolerated” (4). Home Secretary Theresa May, when speaking out against forced marriage (4), acknowledged that “….legislation alone is not enough and we will continue to work across government and with frontline agencies and organisations to support and protect victims.”

Legislation is never enough, and on International Women’s Day we all need to reflect on the message from UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet (5), that discrimination and violence against women and girls have no place in the 21st century, and ask whether we as individuals are doing enough to ‘mind the gap’.

(1) http://www.internationalwomensday.com/article.asp?m=11&e=4#.UTcje1eK2o0

(2) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/strategic-vision/

(3) http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/fgm/

(4) http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/forced-marriage-to-become-criminal-offence/

(5) http://www.unwomen.org/how-we-work/csw/iwd2013/