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Senator Katy Gallagher at the National Press Club. Photo: Michelle Kroll.<\/p>\n
Australia has made its debut as a top 10 country in terms of gender equity, but is still outshone by New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Australia is ranked eighth out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum\u2019s 2026 Global Gender Gap Report<\/a>, achieving its highest ever ranking for gender equality.<\/p>\n New Zealand has been in the top 10 for a while and sits at number six.<\/p>\n For the past two decades, the Global Gender Gap Index has benchmarked progress towards gender parity across four dimensions \u2013 economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment.<\/p>\n The index provides a consistent measure of the present state of gender parity, as well as the long-term evolution of global efforts to close the gender gap.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese is delighted at the result, saying it reflects his government\u2019s \u201csustained action to improve the lives of women and girls\u201d.<\/p>\n This includes lifting wages in female-dominated industries, expanding Paid Parental Leave to six months with superannuation and making significant investments in women\u2019s health, the Prime Minister said.<\/p>\n It also reflects the progress made on women\u2019s representation in government, with women making up the majority of Cabinet for the first time and more women serving across the Federal Parliament.<\/p>\n \u201cMy government is committed to creating a fairer, safer and more equal society for Australian women and girls,\u201d Mr Albanese said of the report on Wednesday (16 September).<\/p>\n \u201cOur efforts are bearing fruit, with Australia now sitting in the top 10 countries for gender equality worldwide.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we first came to government we were ranked 43rd \u2013 and slipped to an all-time low of 50th under the previous Coalition government.<\/p>\n \u201cThe job is not done and we will continue to focus our efforts on lifting wages, ending gender-based violence, increasing female representation in workplaces, investing in women\u2019s health and more.\u201d<\/p>\n The report notes that progress on gender equity has been made by a number of countries, with those ranked in the top 10 being standouts.<\/p>\n \u201cRaising the bar from last edition, every economy in the global top 10 has closed at least 81 per cent of the gender gap,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n \u201cEuropean economies make up the majority of best performers in 2026 and across time.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2026, Europe represents 70 per cent of the leaderboard between Iceland (93 per cent, first), Finland (87.2 per cent, second), Norway (85.7 per cent, third) the United Kingdom (84.2 per cent, fifth), Sweden (82.3 per cent, seventh), Germany (81.7 per cent, ninth), and Ireland (81.4 per cent, tenth).<\/p>\n \u201cCompleting the top 10 are Namibia (84.5 per cent, fourth), the highest scoring Sub-Saharan economy; New Zealand (82.8 per cent, sixth), in a recurring appearance; and Australia (81.9 per cent, eighth) making its top 10 debut.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the index was launched in 2006, Europe has occupied 69 per cent of all top 10.<\/p>\n \u201cEastern Asia and the Pacific economies have the second highest footprint, with 17 per cent of all top 10.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly four economies have featured in every top 10: Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden.<\/p>\n \u201cIn comparison, five economies have only been featured once: Australia, Latvia, Republic of Moldova, the Netherlands and South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n Minister for Women Katy Gallagher also applauded the result, noting it was achieved by a determined policy approach towards women.<\/p>\n \u201cWe came to the 2022 election with a commitment to make Australia one of the best countries in the world for women,\u201d Senator Gallagher said.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we are in the top 10, not by accident and not by wishful thinking but because of deliberate commitment and action from the Albanese Government.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom closing the gender pay gap and lifting wages in female-dominated industries to expanding Paid Parental Leave and investing in women\u2019s health, we are delivering practical changes that make a difference in women\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know there is more work to do across our priorities of ending violence against women, valuing care, improving women\u2019s economic empowerment, improving women\u2019s health outcomes and strengthening women\u2019s leadership and representation.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just one measure that shows Australia is moving in the right direction but we also remain absolutely steadfast in our commitment to improve the lives of women and girls around Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra<\/a>.<\/p>\n