| Oct 29 @ 5:24 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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Blondino
Posts: 4,553
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(Reuters) - Iceland and three other Nordic countries lead the world in gender equality, according to a report released on Tuesday.
The United States, which prides itself on civil rights progress during the past half century, fell four spots from last year to stand at 31st place behind Lithuania and ahead of Namibia, according to the World Economic Forum, a nonprofit group based in Switzerland.
The report ranked countries according to how much they reduced gender disparities based on economic participation, education, health and political empowerment while attempting to strip out the effects of a nation's overall wealth.
Iceland, which has been rocked by financial crisis, rose from fourth place overall a year ago to top the list and was followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden. New Zealand came in fifth.
Commenting on the low U.S. position, Melanne Verveer, U.S. ambassador-at-large for global women's issues, said at the launch of the report in New York: "In many ways we've been a model ... but we also have a ways to travel."
"Obviously I think every country wants to do better. It's worth pointing out that no country has equality between men and women so we have a long road to go no matter where we live."
Pulling down the United States was its poor performance in political empowerment, where it ranked a lowly 61.
The Nordic countries excelled in this area, with Iceland again taking top honors.
Yemen was ranked lowest at 134, behind Chad and Pakistan.
"Out of the 115 countries covered in the report since 2006, more than two-thirds have posted gains in overall index scores, indicating that the world in general has made progress toward equality," co-author Ricardo Hausmann said in a statement.
The Nordic countries traditionally have been known for generous social benefits, and the high-ranking nations have made it easier to balance work and family life, the report said.
"When we look at the economic participation variables, it's clear that this country (Iceland) has managed to remove the barriers to women participating in the workplace," said Saadia Zahidi, the report's co-author.
"Some of that is of course explained by the type of maternity leave benefits that these countries offer," she said.
Zahidi said it was too early to tell what effects the global financial crisis in general, and Iceland's economic turmoil in particular, would have on the gender gap standings.
1, Norway
2, Finland
3, Sweden
4, Iceland
5, New Zealand
126, Benin
127, Pakistan
128, Saudi Arabia
129, Chad
130, Yemen
15 UK
31 USA
18 France
12 Germany
72 Italy
http://www.weforum.org/pdf/gendergap/report2009.pdf
http://www.weforum.org/en/Communities/Women%20Leaders%20and%20Gender%20Parity/GenderGapNetwork/index.htm
Inspired by Dizzydolls blog
http://www.matchdoctor.com/blog_112231/Who_rules_the_World.html
[Edited on 10/29/2009 5:35 AM]
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| Oct 29 @ 5:35 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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dizzydoll
Posts: 565
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thank you doll, we must carry on and on until women take up the cause to help the children of the future. We must start with the prison system and then give the police the power to bring the buyers of sex crimes to justice.
As far as the internet is concerned, all computers should be sold with a standard program to block all porn, something like "nanny" but much more powerful. After that if any ISP organisation allows any porn to slip through they should be hit with a minimum of $200,000 fine per incident. Make that law and you will see how quickly they devise programs to safeguard their pockets... not because they care. At the moment the ISP organisation as well as others are making a lot of money from porn so they wont stop until they are hit HARD financially. I can be done.
Thank you for continuing the fight to save the worlds children 
Who rules the World?
[Edited on 10/29/2009 5:49 AM]
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| Oct 29 @ 7:51 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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oct_cat
Posts: 1,374
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dizzydoll: I can be done LOLOL you advertizing yourself??? 
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| Oct 29 @ 9:13 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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I'm not surprised the Nordic countries rank so high. They've taken many important steps in gender equity and supporting the family with maternity leave, etc.
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| Oct 29 @ 9:56 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,602
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I'm not surprised the Nordic countries rank so high.
Yep, and they lead the world in quality of life. Much as we in the USA love to think we've got the best of everything, we've slipped badly. That was probably true once upon a time, but when you look at something like the CIA world factbook you get a very different picture these days. We're 31st in providing gender equality, but even worse we're 57th in our investment in education! Our literacy rate is 99% as opposed to the 100% of most of the first world nations.
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| Oct 29 @ 10:11 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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An acquaintance of mine was transferred by her Danish-owned pharmaceutical company from their plant in New Jersey to the main office outside Copenhagen. At first, she, her partner and two children were apprehensive about pulling up stakes and moving abroad, but a year later, they can't imagine living any place else. She's lost 20 pounds and looks 10 years younger. No hassles about after school care and the children were very happy.
And that's part of it. The high quality of life starts in childhood. Quality of Life Measurements for Children.
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| Oct 29 @ 10:40 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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Always_Striving
Posts: 8,794
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New rule of thumb 
Whoever can bench press or arm curl the most free weight should be in power. 
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| Oct 29 @ 11:05 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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newlife2006
Posts: 859
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"New rule"? What happened to good old one : "Whoever has bigger external genitals should be in power"? ... 
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| Oct 29 @ 11:10 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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Blondino
Posts: 4,553
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It has been concluded that they have ‘a passion for equality
The Scandinavian welfare states have been labelled as woman-friendly, and this term implies that they have been responsive towards women’s claims, given them a voice and adopted a range of policies that increased women’s options. The broad political mobilization of women from the late 1960s through the 1970s and 1980s put a pressure on the political system, and the feminist movement influenced the public and political agendas, where a range of new issues appeared. Today international organizations such as OECD (2002) and EU have praised these policies for making these countries well- equipped to tackle challenges like globalization and the ageing society and for creating ‘flexicurity’ at the labour market (European Commission, 2008)
and this link
http://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2009/07/scandinavian-countries-gender-roles.html
Family policies are gender sensitive oriented and parenthood policies are instituted such that gender relations are significant at least on the symbolic level
Eydal (2008) remarks that if this myth could become a reality pretty soon, the new generation of children born in the family where both parents take care of children, will be the ones to break the vicious cycle of gender inequality.
They are a very liberal and egalitarian society. Their Idea of leadership and gender expression is different from other parts of the world.
They have excellent human rights record
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| Oct 29 @ 11:24 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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The gateway website for the country of Sweden has a very good page, in English, about the Swedes approach to gender equality -- from parental leave, to pay equity, to politics, etc.
From the website:
Gender equality is a cornerstone of Swedish society. It means that women and men have the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all areas of life. It implies that they can work and support themselves, combine work and care of their children on the same terms, and that neither sex in a relationship need worry about being subjected to abuse or violence.
Sweden's portal website.
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| Oct 29 @ 1:15 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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LipGlossQueen9
Posts: 10,951
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2, Finland
I knew I had good taste =D
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| Oct 29 @ 1:52 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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newlife2006
Posts: 859
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Besides, those "civilized capitalism states" prove to be the most prosperous ones, too ...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091027/lf_nm_life/us_prosperity_index
In fact, there's nothing new about the notion that society , which discriminates against women , cannot possibly prosper . It's the same as family : if Mom is not happy - then nobody is happy ... 
Indeed , Scandinavians ARE special breed. And not only they are known for their passion for equality ( one well-known historic fact comes to mind here : during Nazi occupation of Denmark Nazis demanded that all citizens of Jewish faith should wear yellow star of David sign on their clothes . Then King of Denmark ordered that all HIS clothes have this sign on them. He couldn't tolerate the idea of any of his people being discriminated against and , since he was not in position to stop the assault , he did the only thing possible - i.e. joined the ranks of victims. Now , that took guts ! )
I have one worth-to-mention experience with Scandinavians myself. I have been touring Finland when unfortunate thing happened to me : I left my golden ring on some gas station bathroom sink ...  Couldn't believe my eyes when on my way back I discovered my precious ring exactly where I left it 3 days before
(  )
I'll never forget what the gas station attendant told me in response to my astonishment : " What's so surprising about that? Around here the one who placed the item is the only one who is supposed to remove it."... Aren't Scandinavians special? I wonder how long would the valuable stay on gas station bathroom sink around HERE? ... 
Courage, passion for equality, honesty , social justice ... now, that's some personality traits I wish any nation could brag about. No wonder 12th century
Slavic nation ( that's before they split into Russians and Ukrainians ) , frustrated with corruption among their rulers , sent ambassadors to Norway on a mission to OFFER THE THRONE AND POSITION OF TZAR to any nobleman of Scandinavian origin who'd be willing to to accept the offer. Unprecedented move , but it succeeded , and that's how Ancient Russia got it's Rurick dynasty. the rest is, well , history...
My point is - considering all the corruption destroying our country , it might make sense to get someone of Scandinavian origin run for President in 1212 ....
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| Oct 29 @ 2:18 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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That's it. I'm moving to Norway. Us men here in America have been gettin that shaft for years, and it is only getting worst.
You can take your 7% more income or whatever the hell it is more and shove it up you yahoo. It does not make up for the inequality we must suffer across the board.
The pendulum swung and got cheeseburger stuck decades ago!!
Ladies the inequality isn't happening to you anymore. It is happening to us, men. ya just used to bitching about if for the last 50 years.
[Edited on 10/29/2009 2:24 PM]
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| Oct 29 @ 2:50 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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Nightowl001
Posts: 7,492
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Yes, Americans could learn a lot about societies that benefit the majority of their citizens with enhanced quality of life by looking to the Scandanavian countries. They won't, of course. The majority will chauvinistically refuse to believe that anyone has anything to teach them, or that anyone anywhere else in the world has a lifestyle that many of our people would envy.
A curious phenomenon, nationalism. "I was born on this patch of dirt, and therefore, this patch of dirt is better than anywhere else on the planet!"
Completely devoid of logic, of course.
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| Oct 29 @ 4:44 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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LipGlossQueen9
Posts: 10,951
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I dunno, Finland's government and all may be pretty great but I'd sure as hell never live there. The suicide rate seems to be pretty high and the drinking is OUT OF CONTROL with nothing at all being done about it. Logically, I don't see how a country that is in the dark for half of the year can be a happy place to live. Same with Iceland...I'd visit, but I'd sure as hell never, ever live there. Their economy is down the shitter (worse than ours), and from what I've heard they've got a hell of an alcohol problem and a depression problem. No thanks.
I love Scandinavian people, but you're giving these countries too much credit.
I'm glad to see my boyfriend's country was second place in this study though...
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| Oct 29 @ 10:52 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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RareQuestor
Posts: 2,650
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What is often overlooked is that the Scandinavian nations have both a low population density--the Chinese city of Shanghai and its suburbs alone have as many people as all of the Scandinavian nations combined--and comparatively few minorities. This may seem like an advantage, but few people realize that it is the synergy of so many different cultures and communities which makes America as productive as it is. I am not saying that we cannot learn from those nations---just that the lessons may not apply to our own nation as effectively.
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| Oct 29 @ 11:18 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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Loren62
Posts: 384
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Don't like it here...pack up and leave!!
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| Oct 29 @ 11:29 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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LipGlossQueen9
Posts: 10,951
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IMO, that's a childish attitude. I HATE that we came in number 31...we pride ourselves on being equal, but obviously there's a problem. It's time that we dropped "all men created equal" and started to work toward "all people created equal". I don't like that aspect of America but no I WON'T leave, I'm going to fight to change that instead. I love America like I would love a piece of art, not like I would love a parent.
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| Oct 29 @ 11:29 PM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009
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SweetNapaGuy
Posts: 8,467
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Don't like it here...pack up and leave!!
Exactly! Anyone who doesn't support President Obama and the Democratic Congress, or the "liberal" (i.e., "mildly conservative" instead of "ultra conservative") trend in America, or the hard-fought battles to extend civil liberties to all people, they should just shut up and leave!
I'm so glad you agree, Loren!
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| Oct 30 @ 12:27 AM |
The World Gender Equality Index 2009 |
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Loren62
Posts: 384
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Exactly! Anyone who doesn't support President Obama and the Democratic Congress, or the "liberal" (i.e., "mildly conservative" instead of "ultra conservative") trend in America, or the hard-fought battles to extend civil liberties to all people, they should just shut up and leave!
As usual...an out of context remark - but, since you angled your reply in this direction...let me reply.
I'm currently not worried about this violent shift to the left within our Government. The majority of the voters within this country every few decades or so forget history, and in doing so...they fall off the wagon and elect some radical loon.
Listening to some of the remarks made by some Obama voters, and their total ignorance towards politics in general...only proves my point. Case in point and only one of many examples was the ignorant female from Detroit a few weeks back being interviewed by WJR Radio at Cobo Hall. This idiotic ignorant welfare reject couldn't even answer the question...where is the money coming from that they were signing up for...we had answers that ranged from the City of Detroit to the State...to Obama himself. Not one mention that it was tax payer money...probably because this ignorant fool never got past the 6th grade in school....(I mean, we are talking about the Detroit Public School system here).
This is only a temporary trend...even now, the polls are starting to show a dropping approval rating for this radical liberal in the White House.
And...don't blame this drop in the polls on the Republicans either. This is being caused by a major shift away from the Independents/Moderates that voted for his worthless ass. These guilt stricken fools that believed it was necessary to finally overcome the history of past racism, and elect a black man, so, we as a country can move forward and away from the blemish of our history...didn't stop to think what would happen if they did elect him. They leaped off the bridge and drank his Kool Aid of better things to come.
Now...droves of these moderate fools are waking up from their (Yes we can) drug induced high and coming to the inner conclusion...what the FUK have we done?
I look at it this way....one of two things are going to happen. Either the Democrats are going to get massacred in the Nov 2010 election and they will lose control of Congress....and the brakes will be applied to this radical spending, thus, ending his grand vision from happening.
Or...
He and the Democrats are going to succeed in spending us into oblivion...which I might ad they are well on their way to doing. The ramifications of this will ultimately be the total financial collapse of our country.
The sick side of me kinda wants to see the latter...the screams from the hordes of people accustomed to holding they're hands out to Government to provide for them...well, those screams are going to get deafening, when those hands go out and the money isn't their to grease the palms anymore.
Watching Democratic voters diving into dumpsters to get some food for their families will be a pleasurable thing to see...
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