Question 83 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. World Economic Forum

Strategy: Recall that the World Economic Forum publishes the Global Gender Gap Index. This is a direct knowledge-based question requiring association of the report with its well-known publisher.

Key Info: ## Global Gender Gap Index

The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). First published in 2006, it benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps among countries over time. The index measures gender equality across four key dimensions:

*   **Economic Participation and Opportunity:** Measures participation gap, remuneration gap, and advancement gap.
*   **Educational Attainment:** Measures access to basic and higher-level education.
*   **Health and Survival:** Measures life expectancy and sex ratio at birth.
*   **Political Empowerment:** Measures representation in decision-making structures.

The index provides a score between 0 and 1, where 1 represents full gender parity and 0 represents complete imparity. It is designed to create global awareness of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them.

## World Economic Forum (WEF)

The World Economic Forum is an international non-governmental and lobbying organization based in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded in 1971 by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab. The WEF is most famous for its annual meeting in Davos, which brings together top business leaders, international political leaders, economists, and other influential figures to discuss pressing global issues.

Besides the Global Gender Gap Index, the WEF publishes several other major reports, including:

*   Global Competitiveness Report
*   Global Risks Report
*   Energy Transition Index
*   Travel & Tourism Development Index

## Other Organizations in Options

*   **UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC):** A United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. It is a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
*   **UN Women:** The United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. While it deals with gender issues, it does not publish the Global Gender Gap Index.
*   **World Health Organization (WHO):** A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the UN system.

Answer

Option B: UN Human Rights Council

Answer

Option C: UN Women

Answer

Option D: World Health Organization