Denmark’s progressive government and societal structure enables its citizens to socially mobilize across multiple arenas; women and men both enjoy access to mostly free medical care, and higher education is also free. Additionally, the country is home to a new intersectional party called Feministisk Initiativ (or F!).
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Since the ranking’s inception, Sweden has never finished lower than fifth in the Gender Gap rankings. Nearly two-thirds of all university degrees in Sweden are awarded to women, its policies regarding parental leave are flexible (and expand to spouses), and government-run bodies such as the Secretariat of Gender Research serve only to enshrine the values of equality across all platforms.
Norway earned a perfect score in overall citizenship, and ranks 2nd of 144 countries in the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report. The country has even been called “a haven for gender equality.” Norwegian political parties even introduced voluntary gender quotasway back in the 1970s.
The Netherlands has long been a pioneering country for gender equality; itsemancipation policy of 1978 ensured that parental leave, care, income, power, decision, education, and salaries remained equal between men and women, and in 2011 they instituted their “LGBT and Gender Equality Policy Plan” to legally advocate LGBT and all-inclusive gender equality.
Most Nordic countries are outspoken champions of women’s rights, and Finland is no exception: the country ranked 3rd of 144 countries in the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, its parental leave policies are exemplary, and its Act on Equality between Women and Men literally exists to sanctify the basic tenants of equality between all genders in every aspect of life.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s 2018 federal spending plan — which is entitled “Equality + Growth, A Strong Middle Class” — aims to empower women and invest in them as essential proponents in the country’s work force.