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[av_heading heading=’PH No.1 in gender, wage equality in Asia ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By Prince Golez, Manila
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MANILA – The Philippines has closed its gender gap by nearly 79 percent, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report said.
The country ranked first in Asia, while seventh among 144 countries in terms of gender equality.
The gender-gap index ranks countries on the gap between women and men on health, education, economic and political indicators.
The index scores each country between 1 or equality and 0 or inequality.
This year, the Philippines scored a perfect 1 on educational attainment, health and survival indicators.
It received 0.78 in the economic participation and opportunity indicator, and 0.386 in the political empowerment indicator.
Sen. Loren Legarda said the country’s high gender gap ranking reflects the government’s efforts in addressing the pervasive issue of gender discrimination.
“We have proven once again that our laws are effective if we know how to make them work. We just have to sustain our gains by ensuring strict implementation of our laws,” said Legarda, author of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, the Magna Carta of Women, and the Anti-Trafficking persons Act.
The lawmaker also encouraged toward the closing of the gender gap in political and economic participation through public awareness campaigns and collaborative relationship with key stakeholders.
“I hope that our status will not lull us into a false sense of complacency,” she added.
According to the Report, Iceland is the most gender equal country, followed by Finland, Norway, Sweden, Rwanda and Ireland./PN
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