In a global study on gender equality, Australia rated #5 amongst the most equal countries (Sweden was #1, followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland then Australia - which tied with the Netherlands as equal fifth). The USA was #9 and the UK #10. Indicators to measure equality included income, parliamentary representation, control of household income, and tertiary education. It is great to see Australia so high in the rankings. (See today’s The Australian.)

Concurrent with the study was a survey by Boston Consulting Group. This global poll asked female respondents how they ranked gender equality. In this survey Australian women believed there was less equality than in the study looking at demographic and societal issues.

Australian women feel less equal than the study suggests.

In the survey of women, Australia ranked #11. Top of the list of “perceived equality” was the United Arab Emirates. Sadly the Emirates didn’t reach the top 20 list of countries based on real indicators. Women in Turkey placed themselves as ’somewhat equal’ - ranking #9 - whereas the indicators placed the country #20.

When describing this anomaly - where perceived equality was lower than indicators of equality suggested - study sponsor Boston Consulting Group believed the perception lagged reality because we are acutely aware of the differences:

 ”Because we are relatively egalitarian compared with many other countries, we may be more acutely aware of our remaining inequalities,” BCG partner James Goth said. “And I think we do have a view here that because so few women manage to penetrate into positions of power — people like Gail Kelly, Julia Gillard, Quentin Bryce and Anna Bligh are seen as the exception — this flows through into women’s perceptions that they are yet to crack it in terms of equality.” (Source:  Stephen Lunn, Social affairs writer, The Australian)

I wish I’d paid more attention in maths class as I’d be able to recall this theory’s name - if you divide the distance between yourself and a goal by half each time, you will never reach the destination. You may be millimetres away and never arrive.

I do not suggest Australia is millimetres away from gender equality - there is enormous room for improvement. Yet it seems to follow that the closer we get to equality, the larger the differences appear. I like the fact that gender inequalities are recognised and highlighted. It means as a nation we’ll work all the harder to eradicate them.