This report looks at gender equality and women's empowerment in the context of globalisation and through the lens of gender sensitive indicators.

Gender equality in secondary school enrolment by country as of 1999:

• 11% have achieved gender equality.
• 51% have a lower enrolment ratio for girls than boys.
• 38% have a lower enrolment for boys than girls.
• The level of girls' enrolment declined in 30 countries.

Paid employment in industry and services:

• The range in the late-1990's was a high of 54% in the Ukraine and a low of 5% in Chad.
• Women's share of employment has increased in most regions but the quality of employment has not and women's jobs tend to have less protection and employment rights than men's.

Women's share in seats in parliament:

• 8 countries have a level of 30% or more.
• 17 countries have seen increases in the share but all regions (most dramatically Eastern Europe) have seen some countries fall back. Progress has been strongly related to quotas for women.

Highest achievers:

• Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are the only countries that have simultaneously achieved gender equality in secondary education, at least a 30% share of seats in parliament for women, and 50% of the jobs in industry and services.
• Iceland, Netherlands, Germany and South Africa come close.