Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world?
Contents9
- AWorld Economic Forum
- BUN Human Rights Council
- CUN Women
- DWorld Health Organization
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Answer: (A) World Economic Forum
The Global Gender Gap Index is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as part of its Global Gender Gap Report.
The index benchmarks countries on their progress towards gender parity across four key dimensions:
- (1) Economic Participation and Opportunity (wages, labour force participation, senior roles)
- (2) Educational Attainment (access to education)
- (3) Health and Survival (life expectancy, sex ratio at birth)
- (4) Political Empowerment (women in parliament, ministerial positions).
India ranked 87th out of 144 countries in the 2016 report (improving from 108th in 2015).
Option (b) UN Human Rights Council — deals with human rights violations globally but does not publish this specific index.
Option (c) UN Women — is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment but publishes different reports.
Option (d) World Health Organization — focuses on health issues and does not publish a gender gap ranking.
This is a frequently asked factual question.
Remember: WEF publishes several important indices — Global Gender Gap Index, Global Competitiveness Index, and Global Risks Report.
Do not confuse these with UN-published indices like HDI (by UNDP) or World Happiness Report.
The Global Gender Gap Index is one of the most widely cited gender equality measurements worldwide, ranking countries across economic, educational, health, and political dimensions.
WEF publishes multiple key indices that UPSC frequently tests - Global Gender Gap Index, Global Competitiveness Index, and Global Risks Report - while UN agencies publish different reports like HDI and World Happiness Report.
World Economic Forum Key Publications
World Affairs (International Relations) World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index
World Economic Forum: Major Reports & Rankings
WEF publishes Global Gender Gap Index annually measuring gender parity across 4 dimensions
WEF also publishes Global Competitiveness Index and Global Risks Report
India ranked 87th out of 144 countries in 2016 Global Gender Gap Report
WEF headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland
About WEF
The World Economic Forum is an international organization that engages political, business, and academic leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. Founded in 1971, it's best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
WEF Major Publications
Report/Index | What it Measures | Key Features | India's Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
Global Gender Gap Index | Gender parity across 4 dimensions | Ranks 140+ countries annually | 87th out of 144 (2016) |
Global Competitiveness Index | National competitiveness | 12 pillars of competitiveness | Varies 40-60 range typically |
Global Risks Report | Global risks likelihood & impact | Risk interconnections mapping | Country-specific risks highlighted |
Global Gender Gap Index Details
Measures progress toward gender parity across 4 key dimensions
Economic Participation: wages, labour force participation, senior roles
Educational Attainment: access to primary, secondary, tertiary education
Health and Survival: life expectancy, sex ratio at birth
Political Empowerment: women in parliament, ministerial positions
Trap: Confusing WEF's Global Gender Gap Index with UN Women's publications
Trap: Mixing up WEF indices (Gender Gap, Competitiveness, Risks) with UNDP's HDI
Trap: Assuming UN Human Rights Council publishes gender rankings
Trap: Thinking WHO covers gender equality beyond health dimensions
UN Gender Equality Agencies
World Affairs (International Relations) UN Women UN Human Rights Council
UN Agencies Working on Gender Issues
UN Women is the dedicated UN entity for gender equality and women's empowerment
UN Human Rights Council deals with human rights violations but not gender rankings
WHO focuses on health issues, not comprehensive gender gap measurement
UN Agencies vs Gender Work
Agency | Primary Mandate | Gender-Related Work | Key Publications |
|---|---|---|---|
UN Women | Gender equality & women's empowerment | Programs, policy advocacy, partnerships | Progress of World's Women report |
UN Human Rights Council | Human rights protection globally | Reviews violations, special procedures | Universal Periodic Review reports |
World Health Organization | Global health leadership | Women's health, maternal mortality | World Health Statistics |
UN Women Key Facts
Established in 2010 by merging 4 UN entities working on women's issues
Headquarters in New York, with regional offices worldwide
Works on ending violence against women, economic empowerment, leadership participation
Publishes Progress of the World's Women report series
Trap: Assuming UN Women publishes the Global Gender Gap Index
Trap: Confusing UN Human Rights Council mandate with gender ranking systems
Trap: Mixing WHO's health focus with comprehensive gender parity measurement
Major International Rankings & Indices
World Affairs (International Relations)
Key International Rankings & Their Publishers
HDI published by UNDP, Gender Gap Index by WEF - don't confuse publishers
Transparency International publishes Corruption Perceptions Index
World Bank publishes Ease of Doing Business rankings
Major Global Rankings
Index/Ranking | Publisher | What it Measures | India's Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Human Development Index | UNDP | Health, Education, Income | 130-135 range |
Global Gender Gap Index | World Economic Forum | Gender parity across 4 dimensions | 80-110 range |
Corruption Perceptions Index | Transparency International | Perceived public sector corruption | 75-85 range |
Ease of Doing Business | World Bank | Business regulatory environment | 60-70 range |
Global Competitiveness Index | World Economic Forum | National competitiveness factors | 40-60 range |
World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders | Media freedom conditions | 140-150 range |
Trap: Confusing UNDP's HDI with WEF's competitiveness rankings
Trap: Mixing up World Bank's Doing Business with WEF's Global Competitiveness
Trap: Assuming UN agencies publish all major global rankings