A United Nations report has found that women currently account for fewer than a third of all top leadership positions in public administration around the world.
The Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA) report found that gender gaps were persistent and that women were still systemically prevented from advancing to positions at the highest levels of power and influence.
Although there was some progress on women’s representation in public administration across many of the 170 countries that the report examined, women in every single region of the world were still significantly outnumbered by men in leadership and decision-making positions.
On average, women accounted for 46 per cent of public administrators, but held just 31 per cent of top leadership positions.
Earlier research conducted by the UN found that when women were in power, policies relating to ending violence against women, childcare services and healthcare tended to get more attention.
Governments also tended to be less corrupt and political parties more likely to work together.
Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner (pictured) said the latest findings were particularly concerning against the backdrop of the fallout from COVID-19, and specifically the pandemic’s economic and social impact on women.
“COVID-19’s effects are not gender-neutral. It is, therefore, crucial that Governments respond to the needs, rights and expectations of women and girls,” Mr Steiner said.
He said a separate UNDP analysis found that up to 105 million women and girls, who are already over-represented among the world’s extreme poor, could be pushed into poverty by 2030 because of the pandemic.
“Women must have the opportunity to fully participate in public institutions and have a seat at the table when Governments are crafting their policy responses and determining the best way forward from the crisis,” Mr Steiner said.
“Sustainable recovery is only possible when women are able to play a full role in shaping a post-COVID-19 world that works for all of us,” he said.
New York, 10 July 2021
