Twelve years ago, to mark International Women’s Day, The Independent ran a memorable front page which examined statistical realities for women around the world. More than a decade on, much has changed around the globe.

Nevertheless, after a year dominated by revelations about the abuse of women by men in Hollywood, Westminster, the media and elsewhere, it is plain that gender equality remains a considerable way off – even in advanced Western democracies.

For women in many developing countries, the battle against persecution based simply on their sex is fought unevenly to say the least. In places affected by war, women are frequently subjected to systematic sexual violence. In rural communities especially, traditions too often place women in subservient positions and there is frequently inadequate health and education provision.

Women are slowly becoming more visible, but with a long way to go: just 23 per cent of the world’s politicians are female (F Khalili-Tari)

When it comes to earning a living, women are still widely discriminated against. Globally, men still take home – by some estimates – 75 per cent more in wages than women, on average. The UK is, on the plus side, a little ahead of the curve, with a 9 per cent differential – but it is hardly insignificant.

More positively, the proportion of female judges in Britain has increased since 2006. Now, nearly a quarter of appeal judges are women. We finally have another female Prime Minister, too. Life expectancy has risen for many women, including in less developed countries. Back in 2006, a woman living in Swaziland would be lucky to reach the age of 40. Today, she can expect on average to live to 61.

Today is a moment to take stock, to welcome advances that have been made and to reflect on the hard truth that the mountain to true equality between the sexes is still only half-climbed. There can be no resting on laurels.

Women’s statistics, then and now (The Independent 2006)

This is your life in 2018 – if you are a woman