Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, activities and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women, explains the World Health Organization. The distinct roles, reinforced by legal systems and religion, have historically given rise to gender inequalities not only in health care but with education and employment opportunities. Globalization has challenged the most archaic perceptions of gender roles through books, films and other media; new technologies in satellite television and the internet; policies of multinational corporations and tourism. Human rights groups reach across borders to lend support and inspiration to those in other lands; the United Nations and other international target gender equality as a major goal.

World Population Trends Signal Dangers Ahead

Governments must prepare for diverse rates of fertility, urbanization and aging population – all happening simultaneously
Barry Mirkin
April 3, 2014

Women More Educated Than Men But Still Paid Less

After centuries of male dominance in higher education, women outnumber men in attendance, graduation rates
Joseph Chamie
March 6, 2014

Easing One-Child Policy May Be Too Late

China’s one-child policy lifted living standards, but set a hard-to- reverse trend of demographic decline
Joseph Chamie
January 7, 2014

Winners and Losers After Arab Spring

Surveys in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia show variations in who’s empowered or sidelined
Lindsay J. Benstead, Ellen M. Lust, Dhafer Malouche, Gamal Soltan, Jakob Wichmann
August 27, 2013

To Lift Afghan Women, Educate All

Project Artemis recruits Afghan women entrepreneurs, who train and employ fellow Afghans
Susan Froetschel
April 8, 2013

What’s the Bigger Challenge – Baby Boom or Bust?

The Philippines stands out in Asia for its high fertility and poverty rates
Philip Bowring
October 5, 2012

Quartz: Critiquing Child Marriage Policies

Neha Thirani Bagri
February 10, 2017

Worldwide, People Rally in Support of Women’s March on Washington

More than 650 sister marches around the globe joined the protest
Karla Adam
January 23, 2017

Crackdown in Turkey Threatens a Haven of Gender Equality Built by the Kurds

The West does not view the Kurds as terrorists
Rod Nordland
December 26, 2016

Caesarean Births “Affecting Human Evolution”

Caesarean deliveries favor large heads in humans and increase need for the procedure
Helen Briggs
December 7, 2016