Gender Equality: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls

This document synthesizes evidence on barriers to gender equality across law, norms, work, technology, education, and politics. It reports that 150 countries retain at least one sex-differentiated law, with some regions averaging 6–16 such restrictions, constraining women’s economic participation. It notes that many states lack statutes against domestic violence, sexual harassment, or marital rape, and that tolerance of spousal abuse is higher where legal protections are fewer. Early marriage is linked to curtailed schooling and higher rates of vulnerable employment for women. Time-use data show women perform far more unpaid care work than men, limiting earnings. A persistent digital gap disadvantages women’s internet use and financial inclusion, and women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. Globally, women held about 23% of parliamentary seats in 2016.