Subject Guide

Policies associated with managing population change, focusing on gender equality policies.

A. Why are gender equality policies needed?

What does this article from The Guardian tell us about the economic need for gender equality? Do you think this reason is more or less important than the ethical/moral imperative? 
Explore the issues raised in this storyboard. What does this tell you about the power and position of women globally?



​Study the map. 
  • Make sure you can explain what the data means.
  • What patterns are shown? Compare HICs with LICs?
  • Why is the education of girls important for both individual and personal development?

Men and gender equality
Look carefully at the three resources here. Suggest three strong reasons why gender equality is in the interests of both men and women.

B. How can we measure gender equality?

1. Gender Inequality Index
Study the diagram below which shows the dimensions of the gender equality index. Briefly explain what you understand by each of the three main strands:
  1. Health
  2. Empowerment
  3. Labour market
What other aspects could be included in a fuller/more detailed gender equality index?
Global Gender Inequality Map 2015.
Dark green = low inequality; orange = mid; red = high inequality
Data for map: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m0y2mqIkXMhXHBOpWrU1VasSMRXLdKRN7MWFtfIzyhw/edit#gid=0&range=B2:C160
  • Study the map above and describe the spatial distribution of gender inequality shown.
  • To what extent do these patterns match your expectations? Justify your answer.
  • Examine the raw data used to draw the choropleth map (link here and above). What anomalies can you identify? Describe and try to explain the positions of Korea, Singapore, Japan, Rwanda, South Africa, Romania.

We can also use the Gender Development Index as below:

C. Case Study: Rwanda

Rwanda is the only country grouped as "Low Human Development" by the United Nations which has also been grouped among the most equal group of countries for gender equality. It ranks no 7 in the Gender Empowerment Index, just behind the Nordic countries, and actually has a higher proportion of girls enrolled in education than boys (97% compared to 95%).

So, what factors have led to this level of gender equality in Rwanda?

Study the resources below and divide the influences into:
  1. Gender policies
  2. Other factors

​Use the video links to add greater depth and detail to your notes.
gender_equality_strategy_-_undp_rwanda_-_final.pdf
File Size: 3088 kb
File Type: pdf
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D. Evaluation of gender equality in Rwanda



​Rwanda tops the global league tables for the percentage of female parliamentarians. Fewer than 22% of MPs worldwide are women; in Rwanda, almost 64% are. Women have also outnumbered men as primary school teachers.

At secondary school, however, fewer than 28% of teachers are women (compared with 21% in 2000). In higher education, only 16% of teachers are women (compared with 10% in 1999 and 5% in 1990).



Click on and open the news story from The Guardian on the left.

Read it closely and identify the strengths and weaknesses it discusses.

What does this suggest to you about the reality of the situation for the poorest Rwandan women?


EXTRA MATERIAL