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Quick Facts

• Of 113 countries that failed to achieve gender parity in primary and secondary school enrollment by the target date of 2005, only 18 are likely to achieve the goal by 2015.
• Girls account for 55% of the out-of-school population
• Since 2000, the proportion of seats for women in parliaments only increased from 13.5% to 17.9%. women occupy at least 30% of parliamentary seats in 20 countries, although non of these countries are in Asia.

Where do we Stand

• Girls' primary enrollment increased more than boys' in all developing regions between 2000 and 2006. As a result, two out of three countries have achieved gender parity at the primary level.
• At the current rate of progress, the Goal 3 target of eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015, remains far from being achieved.
• Despite greater parliamentary participation, women are largely absent from the highest levels of governance.
• Violence against women remains an obstacle to the achievement of the MDG's. Studies show that incidents of gender violence can result in loss of household income equivalent to 25-30% of the monthly income of poor households.