Kinshasa: The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Global Gender Gap Report 2025, and seven African countries are among the ten lowest-ranked nations worldwide in terms of gender parity. In this latest edition, Pakistan sits at the very bottom - 148th out of 148 economies covered, with a gender parity score of 56.7 percent. Just above it are Sudan (57.0 percent, 147th), Chad (57.1 percent, 146th), and Iran (58.3 percent, 145th). Other African countries in the bottom 10 include Guinea (59.5 percent, 144th), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (60.1 percent, 143rd), Niger (61.3 percent, 142nd), Algeria (61.4 percent, 141st), and Mali (61.7 percent, 140th).
According to Global Voices, despite improvements in some areas, significant gender disparities remain across the African continent. Liberia (86.5 percent), Eswatini (85.6 percent), and Zambia rank among the top 25 globally in economic participation, while South Africa places 98th. Conversely, Sudan (31.3 percent) and Egypt (40.6 percent) are among the bottom five globally, with low earned-income ratios and minimal representation of women in leadership roles.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks eighth in educational attainment with a score of 85.6 percent, showing progress largely due to improved enrolment parity at all education levels. Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia have reached full parity in educational attainment. In the health and survival subindex, Cape Verde, Eswatini, and Uganda are among the 17 countries sharing the top global position with a parity score of 98 percent.
Political empowerment remains a challenge, with Sub-Saharan Africa ranking fifth globally at 22.2 percent. Ethiopia leads the continent in this subindex, placing 12th worldwide. Rwanda stands out for achieving full parliamentary gender parity, and South Africa and Ethiopia have reached gender parity in their ministerial cabinets.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ranked 143rd, gender disparities are stark. A UN policy brief highlights significant inequalities, with women underrepresented in parliament and leadership roles. Climate shocks exacerbate the situation, with women, who constitute a large part of the agricultural workforce, bearing the brunt of natural disasters.
The report notes positive trends, such as Benin's significant improvement, gaining 4.6 percentage points and climbing 21 places. Conversely, Togo and Sierra Leone have declined in rankings. At the global level, Iceland continues to lead the index, with no economy achieving full gender parity yet. The current pace suggests it will take 123 years to reach global gender parity.