WIN International, the world’s leading association in market research and polling, has published the 2019 WIN World Survey (WWS) exploring the views and beliefs of 29,274 people from 39 countries across the globe about Gender Equality, Violence, Sexual Harassment and Perception of Equal Pay.
Gender Equality at work, in politics, at home, in social settings, and in the media:
Compared to 2018, a higher percentage of the total sample believes that Gender Equality has been achieved at home: figures rise up to 10 points compared to the previous measurement (from 38 to 48 net index[1]). On the other hand, Gender Equality at work, compared to 2018, is 12 points higher (from 13 to 25 net).
Politics is still the last context and environment where Gender Equality is perceived to be reached (from -1 to 4 net).
Compared to 2018, results remain stable when considering the perceived Gender Equality at home (Male 54 net/Female 43 net) and in the media (Male 33 net/Female 23 net).
However, Gender Equality is still perceived very differently between men and women at work and in the political field. Compared to 2018, the gap between men and women’s views is reduced. In 2018, the discrepancies between men and women were between 20 points (at work) and 15 points (in the media). This new wave shows that the differences are now between 15 (at work) and 10 points (in the media).
Lebanon ranks first in the Gender Equality net index both in media and social settings. On the other hand, Japan shows the worst figures: a negative index was recorded in all the environments and settings. Vietnam and the Philippines show the highest index in gender equality in work and home respectively.
Violence (physical or psychological)
Unfortunately, compared to 2018, data didn´t show an improvement in terms of percentage of women worldwide who suffered either physical or psychological violence: 16% of women stated they suffered violence in the past year.
The percentage of women who suffered violence are higher in Latin American countries. Chile shows the highest figures (44%), followed by Argentina (43%) and Peru (40%).
The countries with the lowest percentages of women who suffered violence are Indonesia (1%) and Pakistan (2%).
When considering age, women between 18 and 24 years register the highest incidence rate of violence, physical or psychological (21%) compared to women in other age groups. 2 out of 10 women with postgraduate studies have suffered either physical or psychological violence. The same situation is registered among unemployed women.
Sexual Harassment
Results show little improvement in this area: 9% of women interviewed worldwide suffered sexual harassment in the last year, compared to 10% in the previous year.
Serious levels of sexual harassment are reported by women in Peru (32%). 17% of women 18-24 years old report sexual harassment in 2019. And 17% of female students report the same situation.
Perception of equal pay
Half of the respondents believe that men earn more than women for the same job. However, almost 40% think that both earn the same for the same activities. When considering female respondents, 55% think that men earn more, while 44% of men believe they both receive the same salary.
In Vietnam and the Philippines, respondents believe that men and women earn the same for the same job (72% and 71%, respectively). However, according to German and French respondents, men earn more than women for the same job (77% and 75%, respectively).
Vilma Scarpino, President of WIN International Association, said:
“People believe gender equality has been reached more at home than, for example, in politics, where scores remain quite low. On a positive note, figures from this year show an improvement compared to our previous survey: men and women’s opinions are less distant from each other compared to 2018.
The survey also reveals alarmingly high levels of women have experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last year, without improvements compared to the previous year. Although the levels of harassment and violence differs a lot by country, young females are still the ones who report more harassment and violence.
Despite the social progress that the world has made through international movements for women’s rights, our global survey with data from people across 39 countries shows that the world still has a long way to go in order to achieve gender equality and safety for all women around the world.”
[1] Net % = (% Definitely achieved + To some extend achieved) – (% Not really achieved + Not at all achieved)