A Call to Action: Prioritizing Gender Equity on International Women's Day 2023

Dear Members of the Global Community,

On this International Women's Day, the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPITGHQ) celebrates the progress that has been made towards gender equity and equality, while recognizing the challenges that women still face worldwide. We remain committed to promoting policies and initiatives that support women's economic empowerment, education, and access to healthcare, while addressing the persistent gender disparities that limit women's full participation and potential.

Here are some statistics that illustrate the current state of women's equity and equality across the world:

Education:

• Globally, approximately 130 million girls are out of school (UNESCO).
• In sub-Saharan Africa, only 67% of girls complete primary education compared to 75% of boys (UNESCO).
• In South Asia, only 74% of girls complete primary education compared to 81% of boys (UNESCO).

Employment:

• The global labor force participation rate for women is 47.4%, compared to 74.7% for men (World Bank).
• Women are overrepresented in low-paying and less secure jobs and are more likely to work in the informal sector (World Bank).
• On average, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men (World Economic Forum).

Political Representation:

• Women currently hold 25.5% of parliamentary seats globally (Inter-Parliamentary Union).
• In the Middle East and North Africa, women's representation is particularly low, with only 18.1% of parliamentary seats held by women (Inter-Parliamentary Union).
• In contrast, women hold 42.7% of parliamentary seats in the Nordic countries (Inter-Parliamentary Union).

Healthcare:

• Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age globally (World Health Organization).
• Women are more likely to experience non-fatal health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and autoimmune diseases (World Health Organization).
• Access to reproductive health services, including family planning and safe abortion, remains limited in many parts of the world, particularly in low-income countries (World Health Organization).

Violence Against Women:

• One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (United Nations).
• Violence against women is a significant human rights violation and a barrier to achieving gender equity (United Nations).
• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in gender-based violence globally, with lockdown measures trapping women with their abusers and limiting access to support services (United Nations).

We call on governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals to prioritize gender equity and take concrete steps towards achieving it. Let us work together to create a world where every woman and girl can realize her full potential and contribute to the betterment of society.

Sincerely,

The Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade