SOC367: Southeast Asian Societies
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In the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) the Philippines ranks in 19th place globally among countries with the smallest gender gap, making it the highest ranking among Southeast Asian countries, while Singapore ranks second in Southeast Asia but only 49th globally.
On the other hand, in the UNDP (UN Development Programme) Gender Inequality Index 2021-2, Singapore ranks in 12th place among countries with the highest gender equality, whereas the Philippines only ranks in 116th place.
Write an essay trying to explain this discrepancy in gender equality ranking of the two countries. In your essay consider the following issues:
Examine the criteria each of the two surveys rely on to measure gender (in)equality.
Debate the validity and limitations of these criteria and propose additional or alternative criteria if you think they would offer a more insightful analysis.
Assess which of the two surveys more accurately reflects gender (in)equality in these two societies.
