The Gender Equality Index has only improved by three points, from 57 to 60 this year – out of a maximum 100 – , since the Partnership for Development Center (CPD) introduced the measurement in 2009, IPN reports.
Rodica Ivașcu, CPD program director, told a press conference that the improvement is mainly due to changes in social perceptions and stereotypes and less to government reforms.
In politics, the Index rose four points over the last year to 40, due to the fact that the recent legislative elections have produced 26 women MPs, by five more than in the previous Parliament. Still, Rodica Ivașcu says this remains the area that experiences the greatest gender inequalities, and the new mixed voting system isn’t helping. Much to the contrary: with the old proportional system it’s been estimated that the number of women MPs would have been 33.
The area with the best gender equality score, of 70, is health care, but this comes with a negtive disparity towards men.
In employment, the Index dropped one point to 63, due to a decrease in women’s employment rate from 39% to 38.1%
Alexandra Ermolenco, CPD project coordinator, said that the perceptions and stereotype index rose significantly over the last year, from 47 to 54. In particular, the perception of women in politics has improved, after the number of people who think women don’t belong in politics reduced from 29% to 19.7%. However, Ermolenco notes that the survey continues to show some controversial tendencies about stereotypes enduring in our society. About 76% of respondents to the Index survey think men have the primary role of bread-earners, and 66% think women are responsible for home and household chores. Moreover, 9.1% of women still think it’s all right to take a beating from the husband in certain situations, as 20% of respondents think women should tolerate violence if they want to save their marriage.
Alina Andronache, CPD’s public relations and advocacy specialist, remarked that overall the Index has remained virtually unchanged in all areas. To improve the situation, more women should be allotted competitive slots on national and district ballots. Another necessary step is to reform childcare leave in order to maximize its flexibility, so that spouses are free to decide how long and who will take care of the child. Measures are also needed to reduce wage gaps, and to combat domestic violence and sexual harassment.
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the CPD is telling politicians that the best gift for women is to ensure gender equality and to take the necessary measures to reduce any disparities.