What measures are being taken to promote gender equality?

Efforts to promote gender equality come from governments, employers, schools and community organizations. The measures vary by country, but many focus on removing barriers to opportunity and making discrimination easier to identify and address.

Common approaches include enforcing anti-discrimination laws, improving equal pay and pay transparency, and widening access to education and training. Programs that support girls’ access to quality education can help address barriers such as school costs, early marriage and unequal expectations about which subjects girls should study.

Employers and public institutions may set targets or introduce policies to improve women’s representation in women in leadership roles. Flexible work, parental leave and affordable childcare can also help people balance paid work and family responsibilities, including by recognizing unpaid care work and childcare.

Another priority is preventing harassment and violence through stronger legal protections, reporting systems, support services and public education. These measures are most effective when people can access them in practice and when progress is tracked—for example, through data on pay, employment, education and safety. Laws and targets matter, but so do enforcement, funding and changes in everyday attitudes.