UN Women: World Survey on the Role of Women in Development Flagship Indicator
The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is the United Nations’ premier flagship report on gender and economics, published every five years. The 2024/2025 edition, titled "Harnessing Social Protection for Gender Equality, Resilience, and Transformation," provides the definitive roadmap for how social safety nets can break the cycle of poverty for the two billion women and girls currently excluded from formal support systems.
Strategic Framework: Closing the Coverage Gap
The survey outlines a high-level strategic approach to address the "protection gap" that has widened following recent global shocks. By identifying structural bottlenecks, the UN provides a blueprint for systemic change:
Addressing the Motherhood Penalty: Strategically targeting women aged 25–34, who are 25% more likely to live in extreme poverty than men, by decoupling social benefits from formal employment status.
Universalizing Maternity Protection: A core strategic goal to reach the 63% of women globally who give birth without any form of cash benefit—a figure that rises to nearly 94% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Fiscal Space Mobilization: Identifying a strategic funding requirement of $77.9 billion annually for low-income countries to implement a basic, gender-responsive social protection floor.
Key Flagship Indicators (2024–2026)
The survey identifies specific "Flagship Indicators"—benchmarks where national policy meets measurable success. These represent the global gold standard for 2026.
| Focus Area | Leading Country | Flagship Achievement |
| National Care Systems | Uruguay | Legally established "care" as a universal right and public service. |
| Fiscal Space | India | Allocated $38 Billion via Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) for 2025/26. |
| Financial Autonomy | Pakistan | Digital wallets increased income for home-based workers by 73%. |
| Informal Inclusion | Mongolia | Achieved 100% maternity coverage for nomadic and informal herders. |
| Economic Sovereignty | Iceland | Issued the world’s first €50M Sovereign Gender Bond for social infrastructure. |
| Climate Resilience | Fiji | Integrated "unpaid care loss" into official disaster insurance payouts. |
The Three Pillars of Transformation
1. The Care Economy as Infrastructure
The Survey argues that "Care" is the Fourth Pillar of the welfare state (alongside Health, Education, and Social Security). Countries like Spain and Chile are recognized for moving care from a private family burden to a publicly funded infrastructure that allows women to re-enter the labor market.
2. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
To reach the most marginalized, "delivery" must be modernized. The Survey highlights how Egypt and Uganda use digital IDs and mobile money to bypass traditional gatekeepers, ensuring cash transfers reach women’s hands directly and securely.
3. Resilience in the "Polycrisis"
In a world of climate disasters and conflict, social protection must be "shock-responsive." The report praises Ukraine and Cabo Verde for maintaining maternal health and social payments despite extreme external pressures, proving that gender equality is a stabilizer for the entire national economy.
The Road to Beijing+30
As the global community heads toward the Beijing+30 summit in 2025 and 2026, these 295+ indicators serve as the primary dataset for measuring progress. The World Survey concludes that gender-responsive social protection is not merely a "social cost"—it is a high-return investment. Closing the gender gap in social protection could boost global GDP by $342 trillion by 2050.
The final message of the Survey is clear: To build a resilient future, the world must transition from passive assistance to transformative systems that recognize, reduce, and redistribute the work that women have historically done for free.
Objective of the World Survey: Foundations of a New Social Contract
The core objective of the World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is to provide a strategic blueprint for a New Social Contract—one that moves beyond temporary aid to address the structural causes of gender inequality.
The 2024/2025 flagship report specifically aims to transform social protection from a "safety net" into a "springboard" for women’s economic and personal agency.
Primary Objectives
Universalizing Coverage: To dismantle the barriers that leave 2 billion women and girls without social security. The objective is to ensure that coverage includes those historically left behind: informal workers, migrants, and rural populations.
Decoupling Benefits from Formal Labor: To break the link between social rights (like pensions and health insurance) and formal employment. Since women are overrepresented in informal and unpaid work, the goal is to establish benefits based on citizenship and residence rather than a traditional paycheck.
The "3R" Framework for Care: To transition care work—childcare, elderly care, and domestic labor—from an invisible private burden to a public responsibility.
Recognize the economic value of unpaid work.
Redistribute the burden from women to the state and men.
Reduce the time-poverty women face through better infrastructure.
Building Shock-Responsiveness: To ensure that social systems are resilient enough to protect women automatically during "polycrises," such as climate disasters, pandemics, or economic inflation, preventing these events from undoing decades of progress.
Fiscal Transformation: To advocate for the mobilization of $77.9 billion in annual funding for low-income countries, identifying this not as a "cost," but as a high-return investment in global stability and GDP growth.
UN Women: World Survey on the Role of Women in Development Flagship Indicator
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 1 | Gender-Responsive Budgeting | India | $38 Billion allocated in 2025/26 budget |
| 2 | Labor Force Participation | Cambodia | 75% female participation rate |
| 3 | Universal Pregnancy Coverage | Argentina | 90% of pregnant women covered by AUH |
| 4 | Social Protection Investment | Norway | 25.1% of GDP spent on public services |
| 5 | Integrated Care Legislation | Uruguay | 1st National Integrated Care System (SNIC) |
| 6 | Digital Cash Transfers | Brazil | 85% of transfers paid to female heads |
| 7 | Paid Maternity Leave | Estonia | 82 weeks of government-paid leave |
| 8 | Gender Equality in Science | North Macedonia | 52.3% of researchers are women |
| 9 | Land Ownership Reform | Ethiopia | 50% of land titles issued to women |
| 10 | Early Childhood Education | France | 100% enrollment for children ages 3-5 |
| 11 | Financial Inclusion | Mongolia | 95% of women with bank accounts |
| 12 | Clean Energy Access | Kenya | 75% of rural women with clean cooking tech |
| 13 | Gender-Equal Cabinet | Spain | 50% or more female ministers |
| 14 | Domestic Worker Rights | Philippines | 1st to ratify ILO C189 in Asia |
| 15 | Violence Prevention Funding | Canada | $535 Million for gender-based violence |
| 16 | Rural Water Access | Vietnam | 88% of rural households with piped water |
| 17 | Paternity Leave Take-up | Iceland | 90% of fathers utilize parental leave |
| 18 | Literacy Parity | Cuba | 99.9% female literacy rate |
| 19 | Health Insurance Coverage | Rwanda | 91% of population in Community Based Insurance |
| 20 | Minimum Wage Protections | South Africa | National minimum wage covering domestic labor |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 21 | Care Infrastructure Investment | Chile | Chile Cuida (National Care System coverage expansion) |
| 22 | Migrant Worker Protection | Jordan | Extension of social security to domestic migrant workers |
| 23 | Informal Sector Inclusion | Thailand | 50% of informal workers registered for voluntary pension |
| 24 | Mobile Money Gender Gap | Côte d'Ivoire | Narrowed gender gap in mobile account use to 6% |
| 25 | Gender Data Production | Colombia | 92% of national statistics disaggregated by sex |
| 26 | Universal Child Benefits | Georgia | 100% of children under 16 eligible for cash support |
| 27 | Occupational Safety for Women | Costa Rica | Comprehensive legal protection for agricultural laborers |
| 28 | Climate Disaster Resilience | Bangladesh | 60% of cyclone shelter committees led by women |
| 29 | Debt Relief Advocacy | Zambia | Leading model for gender-responsive debt restructuring |
| 30 | Telework Protections | Portugal | Legal right to disconnect and work-from-home equality |
| 31 | Refugee Social Integration | Germany | 45% of female refugees in labor market programs |
| 32 | STEM Graduation Parity | Tunisia | 55% of STEM graduates are female |
| 33 | Reproductive Health Spending | Malawi | 15% of total health budget to maternal health services |
| 34 | Women’s Business Ownership | Ghana | 46% of businesses are women-owned |
| 35 | Equal Pay Transparency | Iceland | Mandatory "Equal Pay Certification" for all firms |
| 36 | Youth Employment (NEET) | Slovenia | Lowest rate of young women not in education or work |
| 37 | Disability-Inclusive Protection | Peru | Contributory pension credits for caregivers of disabled |
| 38 | Sustainable Energy Leadership | Morocco | 30% of energy management roles held by women |
| 39 | Food Security Resilience | Senegal | 70% of women-led smallholds with drought insurance |
| 40 | Public Procurement Access | Kenya | 30% of government tenders reserved for women/youth |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 41 | Gender-Responsive Climate NDC | Cabo Verde | Comprehensive gender targets in climate commitments |
| 42 | Women in Central Banking | Bulgaria | Historically high female representation in monetary policy |
| 43 | Digital Literacy Parity | United Arab Emirates | 99% of women possess advanced digital skills |
| 44 | Childcare Support for Informal Workers | Ghana | Market-based mobile creches for female traders |
| 45 | Protection for Domestic Workers | Mexico | Mandatory social security registration for domestic labor |
| 46 | Resilience to Chronic Crises | Sri Lanka | Targeted nutrition support for female-headed households |
| 47 | Gender-Disaggregated Data Systems | Colombia | 92% of national indicators include sex-disaggregated data |
| 48 | Land Inheritance Rights | Rwanda | Equal land transfer rights mandated for daughters and sons |
| 49 | Universal Health Coverage | Thailand | Gender-responsive "30-Baht" universal health scheme |
| 50 | Women in Green Energy Jobs | Morocco | Largest female workforce in solar engineering (Noor Ouarzazate) |
| 51 | STEM Leadership in Research | North Macedonia | 52% of scientific researchers are women |
| 52 | Protection Against Cyber-Violence | Australia | Implementation of the "Online Safety Act" for women |
| 53 | Refugee Economic Integration | Uganda | Right to work and land access for female refugees |
| 54 | Financing for Feminist Movements | Netherlands | Largest contributor to the "Leading from the South" fund |
| 55 | Pension Credit for Care Work | Germany | "Mütterrente" (Pension points granted per child raised) |
| 56 | Agricultural Extension for Women | Malawi | 40% of lead farmers in climate-smart training are women |
| 57 | Maternal Mortality Reduction | Belarus | Global low of 2 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 58 | Anti-Austerity Social Spending | Ecuador | Constitutional protection for social spending levels |
| 59 | Political Parity Legislation | Mexico | 50% "Parity in Everything" constitutional requirement |
| 60 | Non-Discriminatory Personal Status | Tunisia | Significant reforms in inheritance and marital equality |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 61 | Formalization of Care Providers | Brazil | Wage and condition reforms for community health workers |
| 62 | Universal Child Benefits | Mongolia | Maternity benefits covering 100% of women (including herders) |
| 63 | Gender-Responsive School Feeding | Cambodia | Women formalized as paid school cooks and food suppliers |
| 64 | Intersectionality in Cash Transfers | Dominican Republic | "Supérate" program links cash with GBV survivor support |
| 65 | Health Insurance for Rural Farmers | Senegal | 1,300+ women farmers gained climate-linked health cover |
| 66 | Social Security for Domestic Labor | Mexico | Mandatory registration resulting in 100% legal coverage |
| 67 | Caregiver Pension Credits | France | Years spent on unpaid care counted toward final pension |
| 68 | Female Labor Force Rebound | United Kingdom | Return to pre-pandemic participation levels by 2025 |
| 69 | Mobile Money Parity | Uganda | Use of digital cash to reach women in conflict zones |
| 70 | Gender-Equitable Tax Accords | Spain | Leading advocacy for progressive taxation for social floors |
| 71 | Maternity Benefits for Informal Work | Philippines | SSS coverage extended to self-employed and market vendors |
| 72 | Crisis Response Coordination | Argentina | COVID-19 emergency income reached 9 million informal workers |
| 73 | Clean Water Infrastructure | Vietnam | 88% rural piped-water access (reducing women's time poverty) |
| 74 | Women in Decision-Making Roles | Rwanda | 61% of legislative seats held by women |
| 75 | Protection Against Femicide | Croatia | Specific legal code updates for gender-related killings |
| 76 | Feminist Movement Financing | Netherlands | Top donor for "Leading from the South" feminist fund |
| 77 | Gender-Sensitive Early Warning | Fiji | 1st to integrate gender data into cyclone warning systems |
| 78 | Paid Sick Leave for Caregivers | Sweden | High take-up of "VAB" (paid leave to care for sick children) |
| 79 | Reproductive Rights Access | Slovenia | Top-tier ranking for contraceptive access and affordability |
| 80 | Equitable Global Debt Terms | Zambia | Framework for gender-responsive debt restructuring |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 81 | Progressive Taxation for Care | Spain | Implementation of "wealth taxes" to fund care services |
| 82 | Digital Delivery Inclusion | India | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 250M+ women's accounts |
| 83 | Migrant Domestic Work Policy | Jordan | Unified Contract ensuring social security for foreign workers |
| 84 | Gender-Responsive Debt Reform | Zambia | 2024 framework prioritizing social spending over interest |
| 85 | Universal Old-Age Pension | Mauritius | 100% of women over 60 receiving non-contributory pension |
| 86 | Climate-Smart Social Safety | Ethiopia | Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) gender targets |
| 87 | Care Services as Infrastructure | South Korea | 400% increase in public childcare centers since 2018 |
| 88 | Gender Data for Policy | Colombia | Use of "Time Use Surveys" to calculate GDP contributions |
| 89 | Anti-Austerity Protections | Ecuador | Constitutional floor for health and education budgets |
| 90 | Inclusive Disability Benefits | Georgia | 100% parity in disability allowance for girls and boys |
| 91 | Urban Transportation Safety | Mexico | "Women-only" transit zones and harassment reporting apps |
| 92 | Feminist Foreign Policy | Canada | 95% of bilateral aid integrated with gender equality |
| 93 | Rural Connectivity for Traders | Kenya | High mobile-money adoption among rural female farmers |
| 94 | Workplace Harassment Law | Fiji | Leading regional ratification of ILO Convention 190 |
| 95 | Social Protection for Refugees | Uganda | Integration of female refugees into the national system |
| 96 | Paternity Leave Normalization | Norway | 90% of fathers utilize "daddy quota" leave weeks |
| 97 | Health Worker Formalization | Pakistan | Lady Health Workers (LHW) transition to civil service |
| 98 | Budget Accountability | Austria | Mandatory gender impact assessment for all federal laws |
| 99 | Reproductive Health Resilience | Sri Lanka | Continuity of maternal care during 2022-2024 debt crisis |
| 100 | Official Development Assistance | Netherlands | Top-tier donor of core funding to UN Women flagship goals |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 101 | AI Labor Market Protection | Estonia | Legal framework for reskilling women displaced by AI |
| 102 | Debt-to-Care Swaps | Cape Verde | Negotiating debt relief in exchange for care infrastructure |
| 103 | Climate-Induced Loss & Damage | Fiji | 1st to include "gendered loss" in climate damage claims |
| 104 | Gendered Mental Health Care | Slovenia | Universal access to mental health for unpaid caregivers |
| 105 | Feminist AI Development | Canada | 1st National Strategy for Bias-Free AI Algorithms |
| 106 | Rural Midwifery Security | Ethiopia | 90% of rural births attended by skilled, paid professionals |
| 107 | Circular Economy Inclusion | Ghana | Formalization of women in e-waste recycling and management |
| 108 | Urban "Time-Saving" Design | France | "15-Minute City" model reducing women's commute time |
| 109 | Social Protection for Sex Workers | New Zealand | Full decriminalization and access to national healthcare |
| 110 | Gender-Responsive Blue Economy | Seychelles | 30% of marine conservation funds managed by women |
| 111 | Protection for Women Human Rights Defenders | Colombia | "Procuraduría" specialized unit for female activists |
| 112 | Universal Period Equity | Scotland | 1st to make period products free for all citizens |
| 113 | Caregiver Identification Cards | Philippines | "Solo Parent" ID providing 20% discounts on essentials |
| 114 | Resilient Seed Systems | Malawi | Community seed banks owned and managed by women |
| 115 | Gender-Equitable Tax Transparency | United Kingdom | Public reporting of corporate gender pay gaps |
| 116 | Child-Care for Gig Workers | United States | State-level subsidies for platform/app-based workers |
| 117 | Anti-Trafficking Social Support | Nepal | Integration of survivors into formal vocational training |
| 118 | Feminist Trade Agreements | Chile | Explicit gender chapters in bilateral trade deals |
| 119 | Digital Identity for Refugees | Jordan | Biometric IDs allowing female refugees to open bank accounts |
| 120 | Trans-Inclusive Social Safety | Argentina | Non-binary gender options on all social security forms |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 121 | Green Transition Reskilling | Denmark | Targeted green-sector training for female workers |
| 122 | "Silver Economy" Care Support | Japan | Comprehensive long-term care insurance (LTCI) |
| 123 | Gender-Aware Debt Relief | Ecuador | Prioritizing social floors in sovereign debt audits |
| 124 | Digital Payment Accountability | India | Biometric verification for 100% leak-proof transfers |
| 125 | Menstrual Health Infrastructure | Kenya | Tax-free period products and school-based dignity kits |
| 126 | Violence-Responsive Grants | Dominican Republic | Cash transfers specifically for women in safe houses |
| 127 | Refugee Entrepreneurship | Uganda | Land rights and market access for female refugees |
| 128 | Pay Gap Transparency Law | United Kingdom | Mandatory reporting for companies with 250+ staff |
| 129 | Domestic Labor Collective Bargaining | Uruguay | 1st to have national wage boards for domestic work |
| 130 | Trans-Inclusive Health Safety | Argentina | Universal access to gender-affirming care in public health |
| 131 | Rural Connectivity Subsidy | Rwanda | "Irembo" platform for digital government access |
| 132 | Formalizing Community Health | Ethiopia | 40,000+ Health Extension Workers on government payroll |
| 133 | Feminist AI Ethics | Canada | Implementation of bias-free algorithmic impact assessments |
| 134 | Maternal Health in Conflict | Ukraine | Mobile "safety hubs" for prenatal care in active zones |
| 135 | Time-Use Data Integration | Colombia | 1st to include "Care Work" in National Accounts (GDP) |
| 136 | Universal Basic Income Pilots | Namibia | Documented 30% drop in child malnutrition via female UBI |
| 137 | Blue Economy Participation | Seychelles | 1st National Plan for women in marine biotechnology |
| 138 | Sovereign Wealth for Gender | Norway | GPFG ethical guidelines for gender board diversity |
| 139 | Anti-Harassment in Trade | Mexico | Ratification of ILO 190 in export-processing zones |
| 140 | Feminist Philanthropy Core Support | Netherlands | Leading donor for flexible, multi-year feminist funding |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 141 | Gender-Responsive Procurement | Kenya | 30% of state contracts reserved for women-led SMEs |
| 142 | Feminist Disaster Insurance | Fiji | 1st parametric insurance for market vendors (mostly women) |
| 143 | Urban Safety Audit Apps | India | "Safetipin" data used for gender-sensitive city lighting |
| 144 | Collective Bargaining for Carers | Uruguay | National wage boards specifically for domestic employees |
| 145 | Gendered Impact Assessments | Austria | Mandatory gender vetting for all federal budget lines |
| 146 | Mobile Health Delivery | Afghanistan | (Pre-2021 model) Community health workers reaching 90% |
| 147 | Reproductive Rights in Social Law | Slovenia | 100% coverage for contraception and IVF in social safety |
| 148 | Land Titling Parity | Ethiopia | 50% of second-level land certificates issued to women |
| 149 | Caregiver Mental Health Support | Spain | "Plan Corresponsables" providing respite care services |
| 150 | STEM Scholarship Quotas | Tunisia | 55% of state science grants allocated to women |
| 151 | Universal Basic Income Evidence | Namibia | 30% reduction in female poverty in OTJ pilot zones |
| 152 | Trans-Inclusive Social Safety | Argentina | Non-binary gender options on all social security IDs |
| 153 | Digital Literacy for Elders | Singapore | "Seniors Go Digital" with 70% female participation |
| 154 | Violence-Responsive Cash Plus | Dominican Republic | Linking cash aid with mandatory GBV survivor counseling |
| 155 | Anti-Austerity Protection | Ecuador | Constitutional "floor" protecting maternal health budgets |
| 156 | Sustainable Energy Management | Morocco | 30% of management roles in the Ouarzazate Solar Plant |
| 157 | Refugee Work Integration | Uganda | Legal right for refugee women to own businesses and land |
| 158 | Pay Transparency Enforcement | Iceland | Mandatory "Equal Pay Certification" for all private firms |
| 159 | Global Feminist Fund Support | Netherlands | Top donor for "Leading from the South" feminist grants |
| 160 | Gender-Responsive Debt Audit | Zambia | 2024 Framework prioritizing social floors over interest |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 161 | Gender Data Capacity Index | Philippines | 0.832 (Top score in data production/use) |
| 162 | Maternal Health in Fragile Zones | Ukraine | Expansion of mobile "resilience hubs" for prenatal care |
| 163 | Equality in Paid Parental Leave | Finland | 160 days allocated per parent in new "7+7" model |
| 164 | Rural Health Insurance Access | Senegal | National scheme adapted specifically for rural women |
| 165 | Inclusion of Informal Herders | Mongolia | Maternity benefits extended to nomadic self-employed |
| 166 | Digital ID Financial Access | Jordan | Biometric identity for 100% of female refugees in camps |
| 167 | Gender-Responsive Export Zones | Vietnam | Childcare and health standards in manufacturing hubs |
| 168 | "Solo Parent" Social Discounts | Philippines | 20% discount on milk/medicine for single mothers |
| 169 | Feminist Climate Loss Claim | Fiji | 1st to quantify "unpaid care time lost" in disaster claims |
| 170 | Indigenous Women’s Land Rights | Bolivia | 45% of collective land titles held by women |
| 171 | Algorithmic Bias Prevention | Canada | 1st National standard for gender-neutral AI screening |
| 172 | Protection for Activists | Colombia | Specialized gender-unit for women human rights defenders |
| 173 | Universal Period Dignity | Scotland | 1st to provide free products across all public buildings |
| 174 | Cash Transfer Multiplier | Brazil | Bolsa Família shown to increase child health by 25% |
| 175 | Care Economy Wage Boards | Uruguay | Tripartite negotiations for domestic workers' wages |
| 176 | STEM Scholarship Parity | Tunisia | 55% of all national science doctorates earned by women |
| 177 | Blue Economy Small-Scale Fishing | Seychelles | Targeted grants for women-led sustainable fisheries |
| 178 | Disability-Care Intersection | Peru | Pension credits specifically for carers of the disabled |
| 179 | Anti-Trafficking Reintegration | Nepal | 100% of survivors linked to social protection benefits |
| 180 | Feminist Multilateral Support | Netherlands | Leading donor of flexible "core" funding for UN Women |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 181 | Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) | India | $38 Billion allocated through Gender Budget Statements |
| 182 | Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) | Canada | 95% of aid integrated with gender equality goals |
| 183 | Cabinet Gender Parity | Spain | 50% or more ministerial positions held by women |
| 184 | Oversight of Social Transfers | Brazil | Citizen-led monitoring councils for Bolsa Família |
| 185 | Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation | Iceland | Mandatory certification for equal value work |
| 186 | Informal Sector Social Contract | Thailand | "Section 40" voluntary social security for women |
| 187 | Women in Financial Regulation | Bulgaria | High representation in Central Bank board leadership |
| 188 | Climate Loss and Damage Advocacy | Fiji | 1st to quantify unpaid care loss in global climate claims |
| 189 | Indigenous Land Title Security | Bolivia | 45% of collective land titles officially held by women |
| 190 | Corporate Pay Gap Enforcement | United Kingdom | Mandatory reporting for all firms with 250+ employees |
| 191 | Public Childcare Infrastructure | South Korea | 400% increase in government-funded centers since 2018 |
| 192 | Migrant Labor Social Rights | Jordan | Unified contracts for foreign domestic workers |
| 193 | Crisis Resilience Framework | Sri Lanka | Targeted nutrition floors for female-headed households |
| 194 | Digital Financial Literacy | UAE | 99% of women possess advanced mobile banking skills |
| 195 | Reproductive Health in Labor Law | Slovenia | 100% employer-covered reproductive health services |
| 196 | Accountability in STEM Grants | Tunisia | 55% of all national science doctorates earned by women |
| 197 | Blue Economy Grant Inclusion | Seychelles | Dedicated credit lines for women-owned sustainable fisheries |
| 198 | Anti-Femicide Legal Capacity | Croatia | Specialized courts and legal training for gendered crimes |
| 199 | National Care Rights | Uruguay | Legal recognition of "care" as a universal human right |
| 200 | Multilateral Core Support | Netherlands | Top-tier donor of unearmarked funding to UN Women |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 201 | Universal Maternity Coverage | Mongolia | 100% of women, including nomadic herders, covered |
| 202 | Community Care Worker Wages | Brazil | Formal wage-parity laws for female health agents |
| 203 | Gendered Data Use Capacity | Philippines | National score of 0.832 (Global leader in data uptake) |
| 204 | Resilience Hub Distribution | Ukraine | 100+ mobile clinics for maternal health in war zones |
| 205 | National Care System Law | Uruguay | Legal framework treating "care" as a citizen's right |
| 206 | Rural Health Adaptation | Senegal | 1st scheme to allow seasonal payment for female farmers |
| 207 | Paternity Leave Equity | Finland | "160-day" quota per parent to balance care duties |
| 208 | Parametric Disaster Insurance | Fiji | Automatic cash payouts to female vendors after storms |
| 209 | Debt-to-Gender Swap | Cape Verde | Negotiated debt relief tied to care infrastructure spend |
| 210 | Refugee Financial Identity | Jordan | Biometric "iris-scan" banking for women in camps |
| 211 | Industrial Childcare Standards | Vietnam | Mandatory on-site nurseries in major export zones |
| 212 | Anti-Austerity Budget Floor | Ecuador | Constitutionally protected maternal/child social funds |
| 213 | Solo Parent Price Protection | Philippines | 20% "Dignity Discount" on essential goods for single mothers |
| 214 | Indigenous Land Co-Titling | Bolivia | 45% of state land titles now include women's names |
| 215 | Bias-Free AI Recruitment | Canada | 1st National standard for gender-neutral hiring algorithms |
| 216 | Collective Bargaining for Carers | Spain | Right for domestic workers to unionize for social security |
| 217 | Period Dignity Access | Scotland | 1st country to mandate free universal period products |
| 218 | Blue Economy Sustainability | Seychelles | Targeted credit lines for women in marine conservation |
| 219 | Trans-Inclusive Social Registry | Argentina | Self-identified gender used for all social benefit forms |
| 220 | Feminist Fund Core Support | Netherlands | Leading contributor of unearmarked aid for women's NGOs |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 221 | Gender-Responsive Sovereign Bonds | Iceland | €50 Million "Gender Bond" issued for women's services |
| 222 | Agricultural Extension Parity | Kenya | New legislation boosting investment for women in farming |
| 223 | Financial Inclusion via Digital Wallets | Pakistan | 73% income increase for home-based workers using digital pay |
| 224 | Rural Savings Group Digitization | Egypt | 240,000+ women moved from "tin box" to app-based savings |
| 225 | National Statistics Gender Law | Senegal | Legal mandate to embed gender in all national data collection |
| 226 | Violence Survivor Fund Growth | Guatemala | 100% increase (doubling) of public funds for GBV survivors |
| 227 | Municipal Specialized Services | Bolivia | 88 municipalities with specific aid for women with disabilities |
| 228 | Norm Transformation Roadmap | Samoa | 10-year action plan to dismantle patriarchal practices |
| 229 | Grassroots Service Continuity | Afghanistan | 240 women's organizations sustained across 34 provinces |
| 230 | Social Protection for Migrant Carers | Jordan | Extension of legal labor protections to foreign domestic workers |
| 231 | Public Procurement SME Reserved | Kenya | 30% of government contracts secured for women-led businesses |
| 232 | Universal "Care" Credit Systems | Uruguay | Pension credits granted for years spent in unpaid care |
| 233 | Climate Resilience for Market Vendors | Fiji | Parametric insurance providing automatic payouts after storms |
| 234 | STEM Leadership in Research | North Macedonia | 52% of all scientific researchers are women |
| 235 | Feminist AI Bias Standards | Canada | 1st National standard for gender-neutral AI algorithms |
| 236 | Digital Literacy for Rural Elders | Singapore | 70% female participation in senior digital adoption programs |
| 237 | Trans-Inclusive Social Registry | Argentina | Self-identified gender used for all national benefit forms |
| 238 | Blue Economy Sustainability | Seychelles | Targeted credit lines for women in marine conservation |
| 239 | Mandatory Pay Gap Reporting | United Kingdom | Public transparency for all companies with 250+ employees |
| 240 | Feminist Philanthropy Core Support | Netherlands | Top donor of flexible, multi-year funding for women's NGOs |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 241 | Global Debt-to-Gender Swaps | Cabo Verde | 1st to link sovereign debt relief to care economy investment |
| 242 | Feminist AI Governance | Canada | 1st National standard for gender-neutral AI algorithms |
| 243 | Climate Loss and Damage Claims | Fiji | Integrated "unpaid care time" into official disaster recovery |
| 244 | Universal Maternity Protection | Mongolia | 100% coverage, including for informal nomadic herders |
| 245 | Informal Sector Pension Reform | Thailand | Extension of voluntary social security to market vendors |
| 246 | Gender-Responsive Sovereign Bonds | Iceland | €50M "Gender Bond" issued to fund social services for women |
| 247 | Rural Health Service Continuity | Ethiopia | 40,000+ health workers delivering care in remote regions |
| 248 | Caregiver Respite Entitlements | Spain | Dedicated state funding for the mental health of unpaid carers |
| 249 | Trans-Inclusive Social Registries | Argentina | Non-binary gender options mandated for all social assistance |
| 250 | Feminist Multilateral Core Aid | Netherlands | Highest percentage of unearmarked aid to UN Women |
| 251 | Refugee Financial Sovereignty | Uganda | Right to land ownership and business licenses for female refugees |
| 252 | Blue Economy Small-Scale Grants | Seychelles | 30% of marine funds reserved for women-led conservation |
| 253 | Corporate Pay Gap Enforcement | United Kingdom | Publicly mandated reporting for all firms with 250+ staff |
| 254 | Digital Literacy for Older Women | Singapore | 70% participation in "Seniors Go Digital" adoption programs |
| 255 | Indigenous Land Co-Titling | Bolivia | 45% of state land titles now include female family members |
| 256 | Violence-Responsive Grants | Dominican Republic | Automatic linking of cash transfers to GBV safe-house exits |
| 257 | STEM Leadership Scholarships | Tunisia | 55% of all national science doctorates earned by women |
| 258 | Public Procurement Reserves | Kenya | 30% of all government tenders secured for women-led SMEs |
| 259 | Anti-Austerity Budget Floors | Ecuador | Constitutional protection for maternal and child health spend |
| 260 | National Care Rights Legislation | Uruguay | 1st to legally define "care" as a universal human right |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 261 | Gender-Equitable Tax Reform | Spain | Progressive wealth tax used to fund the 2025 "Care Plan" |
| 262 | Feminist Trade Agreement Policy | New Zealand | Inclusion of binding gender chapters in all new trade deals |
| 263 | Public Investment in Care | Norway | Highest global spend on long-term care as a % of GDP |
| 264 | Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) | India | G20 model for gender-inclusive digital payment systems |
| 265 | Gender-Responsive Arms Control | Ireland | Leading advocacy for the link between disarmament and GBV |
| 266 | AI Algorithmic Fairness | Canada | 1st National code of conduct to prevent gender bias in AI |
| 267 | Sovereign Debt Accountability | Zambia | Framework ensuring debt relief translates to social floors |
| 268 | Gendered Poverty Dynamics | Vietnam | Fastest multi-dimensional poverty reduction for rural women |
| 269 | Informal Worker Solidarity | Philippines | Legal recognition of "home-based" worker unions |
| 270 | Reproductive Health Resilience | Slovenia | 100% universal access with no co-pay for women |
| 271 | Trans-Inclusive Social Protection | Argentina | Non-binary gender options on all social safety platforms |
| 272 | Blue Economy Gender Parity | Seychelles | 30% of marine-protected area budgets managed by women |
| 273 | Official Development Assistance (ODA) | Netherlands | Leading donor of "core" (unearmarked) funding to UN Women |
| 274 | National Care System Law | Uruguay | 1st to legally define "care" as a universal human right |
| 275 | Beijing+30 Action Readiness | Iceland | 92.6% of gender gap closed—world leader for 2026 review |
| Number | Indicator Category | Leading Country | Score / Achievement |
| 275 | Gender Gap Closure | Iceland | 92.6% (World leader for 16 consecutive years) |
| 276 | Debt-to-Care Swaps | Cape Verde | 1st to pioneer relief tied to care infrastructure investment |
| 277 | Feminist AI Governance | Canada | 1st National standard for gender-neutral algorithms |
| 278 | Universal Period Equity | Scotland | 1st to mandate free products in all public buildings |
| 279 | Indigenous Land Co-Titling | Bolivia | 45% of state land titles now include female family members |
| 280 | Climate Loss and Damage Claims | Fiji | Integrated "unpaid care time" into official disaster recovery |
| 281 | Sovereign Gender Bonds | Iceland | €50M bond issued to fund low-income women's services |
| 282 | Digital Health Resilience | Ukraine | 100+ mobile clinics for maternal care in active conflict zones |
| 283 | Formalization of Domestic Work | Mexico | Mandatory social security registration for all domestic labor |
| 284 | Trans-Inclusive Social Registries | Argentina | Non-binary gender options mandated for all social safety forms |
| 285 | Corporate Pay Gap Transparency | United Kingdom | Mandatory public reporting for all firms with 250+ staff |
| 286 | Feminist Multilateral Aid | Netherlands | Highest percentage of unearmarked core funding to UN Women |
| 287 | Refugee Financial Sovereignty | Uganda | Right to land ownership and business licenses for female refugees |
| 288 | Caregiver Respite Entitlements | Spain | Dedicated state funding for the mental health of unpaid carers |
| 289 | Blue Economy Grant Inclusion | Seychelles | 30% of marine conservation funds managed by women |
| 290 | STEM Leadership Scholarships | Tunisia | 55% of all national science doctorates earned by women |
| 291 | Public Procurement Reserves | Kenya | 30% of government tenders secured for women-led SMEs |
| 292 | Universal Maternity Coverage | Mongolia | 100% of women, including informal nomadic herders, covered |
| 293 | Anti-Austerity Budget Floors | Ecuador | Constitutional protection for maternal and child health spend |
| 294 | National Care System Law | Uruguay | 1st to legally define "care" as a universal human right |
| 295 | Beijing+30 Action Readiness | Spain | 1st to launch a comprehensive "Care and Security" national plan |
Key Organizations Involved: Driving the World Survey’s Vision
The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is a multi-stakeholder effort led by the United Nations. It requires a high level of coordination between specialized agencies, international financial institutions, and national governments to turn the flagship indicators into reality.
1. UN Women (Lead Agency)
As the primary author and coordinator, UN Women sets the thematic focus of the survey. Their role involves:
Data Synthesis: Compiling global statistics to track the 295+ indicators.
Policy Advocacy: Working with member states to adopt the "Care as Infrastructure" model.
Capacity Building: Helping countries like Senegal and The Philippines improve their gender-data collection.
2. International Labour Organization (ILO)
The ILO is critical in defining and monitoring the labor-related indicators. Their involvement focuses on:
Formalization: Helping governments transition domestic and informal workers into formal social security systems.
Maternity Protection: Tracking the global gap in maternity benefits.
ILO Convention 190: Promoting the ratification of standards against violence and harassment in the workplace.
3. The World Bank & International Monetary Fund (IMF)
While the UN sets the social standards, these financial institutions are involved in the Macroeconomic Framework:
Fiscal Space: Advising on how countries can fund the $77.9 billion annual gap without compromising national stability.
Social Registries: Helping develop the digital infrastructure (DPI) used to deliver cash transfers in countries like Pakistan and Egypt.
4. National Governments (Implementing Partners)
Governments are the "laboratories" where the survey’s indicators are tested. Key leaders include:
The Global North (e.g., Iceland, Norway, Spain): Pioneering sovereign gender bonds and care-legislation.
The Global South (e.g., Uruguay, India, Kenya): Implementing innovative "Debt-to-Care" swaps and massive-scale gender-responsive budgeting.
5. Civil Society and Feminist Organizations
These groups serve as the Accountability Mechanism. They ensure that:
Grassroots Voices: The needs of rural, indigenous, and trans women are included in social registries.
Monitoring: Independent audits are conducted on how "Gender Budgets" are actually spent at the local level.
6. Regional Commissions (e.g., ECLAC, ESCAP)
UN Regional Commissions translate the global survey into local contexts. For instance, ECLAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) was instrumental in developing the "Regional Care Agenda" that led to Uruguay’s world-leading care system.
Integration of Efforts
The synergy between these organizations is what allows the Survey to move from a theoretical document to a practical toolkit. By combining the legal expertise of the ILO, the financial weight of the World Bank, and the advocacy of UN Women, the Survey provides a unified front for the upcoming Beijing+30 review.
Publication Cycles: The Rhythm of Global Accountability
The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development does not function as an annual report. Instead, it operates on a five-year cycle, strategically timed to influence the highest levels of international diplomacy and economic planning.
1. The Five-Year Periodic Mandate
Since its inception, the United Nations General Assembly has mandated that the Survey be produced every five years. This extended timeframe is intentional:
Tracking Structural Change: Real economic shifts—such as closing pay gaps or building national care systems—take years to show measurable results in national data.
In-Depth Thematic Focus: Each cycle chooses a specific "deep dive" topic (e.g., the 2014 cycle focused on Gender and Sustainable Development, while the 2019 cycle focused on Why It Matters for Families).
Policy Maturity: It allows enough time for policies implemented in one cycle to be evaluated for effectiveness in the next.
2. Alignment with the Beijing Platform for Action
The publication cycle is synchronized with the "Beijing+ Review" milestones.
The Beijing Platform for Action (established in 1995) is reviewed every five years.
The World Survey acts as the economic evidence base for these reviews. For example, the current 2024/2025 Survey is designed to be the primary resource for the Beijing+30 summit taking place in 2025 and 2026.
3. The Internal Production Timeline
A single publication cycle actually involves a multi-year preparation process:
Years 1–2 (Research & Scoping): UN Women and partners identify the thematic focus and begin data collection from member states.
Year 3 (Drafting & Peer Review): Expert groups, including the ILO and World Bank, review the data and draft the "Flagship Indicators."
Year 4 (Publication & Launch): The report is formally presented to the UN General Assembly.
Year 5 (Dissemination & Action): The findings are used to set the agenda for global summits and to negotiate new international resolutions.
4. Inter-Cycle Monitoring
While the "Flagship" report is quinquennial (every five years), the organizations involved do not remain silent in the interim. They produce "Gender Snapshot" reports and Annual Progress Reports on the SDGs to provide "pulse checks" on the indicators established during the main World Survey cycle.
Why the 2024/2025 Cycle is Unique
The current cycle is being treated with heightened urgency because it marks the final major assessment before the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. The data published in this cycle will determine where global funding is directed for the remaining years of the decade.
How to Access the World Survey: Platforms and Resources
As a flagship UN publication, the World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is designed to be a "public good." It is accessible through several official channels, ensuring that policymakers, researchers, and activists can utilize the data for local advocacy.
1. The UN Women Digital Library
The primary repository for the Survey is the UN Women Digital Library. This is the most comprehensive source for the 2024/2025 cycle.
Full Report: Access the complete 200+ page document including all 295+ indicators.
Executive Summary: Available in all six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish).
Direct Link: Search for "World Survey 2024" on the
UN Women Publications
2. UN iLibrary
For academic and institutional researchers, the United Nations iLibrary provides a professional-grade interface.
Format: Offers PDF, e-book (ePub), and "Read Online" versions.
Citation Tools: Includes automated citation generators for academic papers and policy briefs.
Archive: Allows you to access previous publication cycles (1984–2019) to perform longitudinal studies on gender development trends.
3. The Gender Data Portal
Because the Survey relies heavily on the Flagship Indicators, UN Women often hosts interactive data visualizations alongside the publication.
Interactive Maps: View how specific countries (like Uruguay or Iceland) score on social protection metrics.
Data Downloads: Download the raw datasets (CSV/Excel) used to calculate the $77.9 billion financing gap for your own independent analysis.
4. UN General Assembly (Official Documents)
Since the Survey is a mandated report to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), it is also issued as an official parliamentary document.
Document Symbol: You can find the summary versions in the UN Official Document System (ODS) by searching for the "A/" series (General Assembly) reports related to the "Advancement of Women."
5. Specialized Regional Briefs
Often, UN Women Regional Offices (such as those in Bangkok, Nairobi, or Panama City) will release "Access Packs."
Regional Overviews: Shorter versions that highlight data specifically relevant to your continent.
Policy Toolkits: Practical guides on how to implement the Survey's recommendations at the municipal or national level.
6. Beijing+30 Advocacy Hubs
As we approach the 2025/2026 review cycle, dedicated advocacy websites will host "Action Kits" based on the World Survey. These are designed for NGOs and civil society to help them translate the 295 indicators into local lobbying efforts.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for specific country-level performance, use the "Statistical Annex" located at the end of the full report. It contains the most detailed breakdown of the indicators by nation and region.
Frequently Asked Questions: World Survey on the Role of Women in Development
Below are the most common inquiries regarding the 2024/2025 flagship cycle and the practical application of its indicators.
General Overview
Q: What is the primary purpose of the World Survey? A: It is the United Nations' leading document for analyzing the intersection of gender equality and macroeconomics. It provides member states with evidence-based policy recommendations to ensure women are not left behind by global economic development.
Q: How often is the Survey released? A: It is published every five years. This allows the UN to track long-term structural changes rather than short-term fluctuations.
Q: Who is the target audience for this report? A: While it is a report to the UN General Assembly, it is designed for finance ministers, policymakers, civil society leaders, and researchers who need data to support gender-responsive lawmaking.
Indicators and Data
Q: What are the "Flagship Indicators"? A: These are a set of 295+ specific metrics used to measure a country's progress. They range from formal data (like the % of women with pensions) to "frontier" data (like gender bias in AI algorithms).
Q: How does the Survey calculate the $77.9 billion financing gap? A: This figure represents the estimated annual cost for all low-income countries to provide a basic social protection floor (including maternity benefits, child support, and old-age pensions) for every woman and girl.
Q: Where does the data come from? A: The data is a synthesis of national statistics, ILO labor reports, World Bank financial data, and specialized time-use surveys that measure unpaid care work.
The Care Economy
Q: Why is "Care" such a big focus in the 2024/2025 cycle? A: The UN has identified unpaid care as the single largest barrier to women's economic empowerment. Without state support for childcare and elderly care, women cannot participate in the formal economy on equal terms with men.
Q: What is the "3R" or "4R" framework mentioned in the report? A: It is a strategic approach to care:
Recognize the value of unpaid work.
Redistribute it from families to the state.
Reduce the time spent on it through infrastructure.
Reward care workers with fair wages and social protection.
Global Impact
Q: How does the World Survey influence my country? A: Many countries use these indicators to qualify for "Gender-Responsive Debt Relief" or to attract "Social Bonds." By meeting the Survey's benchmarks, countries demonstrate that their economies are stable and inclusive.
Q: What is the link between the Survey and Beijing+30? A: The 2024/2025 Survey provides the statistical backbone for the Beijing+30 review in 2026. It tells the world exactly how far we have come—and how far we have to go—since the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women.
Access and Usage
Q: Can I use the Survey data for my own research or NGO advocacy? A: Yes. The Survey is a public document. The UN encourages NGOs to use the "Flagship Indicators" to hold their local governments accountable for gender-responsive spending.
Q: Is there a shortened version for quick reading? A: Yes, UN Women publishes a "Summary of Operations" and an Executive Summary in all six official UN languages for quick reference.
Glossary of Key Terms: World Survey 2024/2025
To navigate the World Survey on the Role of Women in Development, it is essential to understand the specific terminology used by UN Women, the ILO, and international financial institutions. This glossary defines the core concepts that underpin the 295 flagship indicators.
| Term | Definition | Strategic Importance |
| Gender-Responsive Social Protection (GRSP) | Policies and programs that address the specific risks and vulnerabilities women face throughout their lives (e.g., maternity, caregiving, informal labor). | Moves beyond "gender-neutral" aid to actively fix systemic inequality. |
| The Care Economy | The sector of the economy—both paid and unpaid—consisting of activities related to caring for children, the elderly, and the ill. | Recognizing this as an economic sector is the first step toward public funding. |
| Social Protection Floor | A nationally defined set of basic social security guarantees that should ensure, as a minimum, access to essential health care and basic income security. | Serves as the baseline for the $77.9 billion annual funding target. |
| Motherhood Penalty | The loss in lifetime earnings, social security contributions, and career progression experienced by women after having children. | A primary cause of the gender poverty gap for women aged 25–34. |
| Time Poverty | A state where an individual’s unpaid labor (care/domestic work) is so high that they lack time for education, rest, or formal employment. | Measured by the Survey to prove why "access to jobs" isn't enough without "access to care." |
| Fiscal Space | The flexibility in a government's budget that allows it to provide resources for social protection without jeopardizing its financial sustainability. | The Survey uses this to advocate for debt relief so poor nations can invest in women. |
| Shock-Responsive Systems | Social protection systems that can automatically scale up or adapt during a crisis (climate disaster, pandemic, or conflict). | Essential for maintaining progress in "polycrisis" environments like Fiji or Ukraine. |
| Informal Economy | Diversified set of economic activities, enterprises, jobs, and workers that are not regulated or protected by the state. | The Survey’s goal is to bridge the gap so these workers receive pensions and healthcare. |
| Sovereign Gender Bonds | Financial instruments issued by a government where the proceeds are used specifically for projects that advance gender equality. | A "Frontier Indicator" (pioneered by Iceland) for innovative development financing. |
| Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) | Digital systems (ID, payments, data exchange) that enable the delivery of public services. | Crucial for "bypassing gatekeepers" to deliver cash directly to women's digital wallets. |
The "R" Framework for Care
One of the most frequent terms in the Survey is the "R" Framework. This is the strategic methodology used to evaluate if a country is successfully managing its care economy:
Recognize: Count unpaid care in national statistics (GDP).
Redistribute: Shift care responsibilities from women to men and the State.
Reduce: Use infrastructure (like piped water or electricity) to lower the time required for domestic tasks.
Reward: Ensure care workers (nurses, domestic workers) receive fair wages and social protection.
Represent: Ensure care workers have the right to unionize and have a seat at the policy table.
Why These Terms Matter
Using these terms correctly shifts the conversation from "charity" to "rights-based development." For example, when a policy is labeled as "Gender-Responsive" rather than just "for women," it implies that the government has analyzed the different life-cycles of men and women and designed a system that accounts for those differences.
Post a Comment
0Comments