90% of people globally have bias against women in politics

Almost 90% of people worldwide have biases against women, with nearly half believing men are better political leaders. This shows a big problem for women in power.
By Newsroom | Social Issues, Global Affairs |

A significant portion of the global populace harbors ingrained biases against women, impacting their engagement and standing in political spheres. Nearly nine out of every ten individuals surveyed hold fundamental biases against women, according to the 2023 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI), which surveys 85 percent of the world's population. This index measures attitudes across political, educational, economic, and physical integrity dimensions.

The findings highlight a stark reality: a substantial global belief persists that men are more suited for leadership roles. Close to half the world's population thinks men make better political leaders than women, and a considerable 40 percent believe men are superior in business executive roles. These attitudes are not confined to specific regions or development levels; they are widespread, cutting across various cultures and economic strata, framing these biases as a global predicament.

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Discussions surrounding gender equality and women's advancement frequently confront these deep-seated social norms. Recent dialogues, drawing from practices in the Global South, emphasize the need for institutional, intersectional, and decolonial approaches. Strategies for altering gender norms within established institutions—state, market, community, and family—are under scrutiny. The interplay between empowerment, collective action, and the evolution of these norms is a focal point, with an identified need to develop counter-narratives and foster broader consensus.

Furthermore, specific attention is being paid to how media portrayals and political structures affect women's participation. Fact sheets exploring these connections analyze the statistics of women as sources in political reporting, the presence of gender-responsive reporting, and the capacity building for media professionals. Examining policies and practices within political parties, parliaments, and election management bodies reveals how these entities influence women's access, participation, representation, and overall decision-making power. These efforts aim to exchange regional and country-level practices for transforming gender social norms and promoting young women's involvement in politics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the 2023 Gender Social Norms Index find about global attitudes towards women?
The index found that nearly nine out of every ten people surveyed hold fundamental biases against women. This affects women's roles in politics, education, and business.
Q: How do people's beliefs about leadership affect women in politics?
Close to half of the world's population thinks men make better political leaders than women. This belief makes it harder for women to be chosen for and succeed in political roles.
Q: What is being done to change these social norms?
People are looking at ways to change gender norms in places like government, businesses, and families. They are also examining how media and political parties affect women's involvement.
Q: What specific areas are being looked at to improve women's political power?
The focus is on policies within political parties, parliaments, and election bodies. The goal is to help more young women get involved in politics and decision-making.