China is the most gender-equitable society in Asia according to an index developed by the World Economic Forum, a Geneva-based policy organisation that counts many of the world's leading companies among its members.

'Gender Gap Index' which marks the 10th anniversary of the (Beijing-hosted) World Conference on Women, is the first study that attempts to quantify gender performance gathering data from 58 OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) and 'emerging market countries.

Drawing on findings of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the report attempts to measure gender equity in five areas; economic participation; economic opportunity; political empowerment; educational attainment; and health and well-being.

While noting growing awareness of gender issues, the report refers to achieving gender equity as a 'grindingly slow process.' According to the league table, which is topped by Sweden, no country has managed to level out the inequalities between men and women.

Issues highlighted in the report include violence against women, sexual slavery and forced prostitution, gender-selective abortions and high levels of illiteracy.

Good news for Chinese women is China's top-ten placing under economic participation, which measures remuneration levels. However, low scores in educational achievement and political empowerment push China's overall ranking down to 33, which is illustrative of Asia's poor overall performance. Japan, Thailand and Korea rank 38, 44 and 54 respectively.

China also compares favourably against other populous nations such as India (53), Pakistan (56), Turkey (57) and Egypt (58). But the authors warn that the Chinese government's equality objectives 'fall far short of expectations.'

The World Economic Forum works in the name of global public interests, engaging world leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The full report is available from www.weforum.org

Report by Matt Perrement, May 18 2005