Data from the past few decades show that despite progress toward gender equality, many challenges persist. Women are still disadvantaged compared with men where access to economic and social opportunities is concerned. Some of these so-called gender gaps, such as the dearth of women in government, stem from societal attitudes about gender and leadership. Others arise from factors that by definition disproportionately affect women, such as restrictions on reproductive health care. (Reporting on this story relied on data available in 2017.)

Credit: Amanda Montañez; Sources: Research by Amanda Hobbs; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (marriage data); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (pay gap, education, paid/unpaid work data
Credit: Amanda Montañez; Sources: Research by Amanda Hobbs; World Health Organization (maternal mortality data); World Bank (parental leave data); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (contraception, domestic violence and abortion data)