The pandemic and a weak economic recovery have pushed back progress on closing the gender gap around the world. Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, says that issues including family care policies, an increasingly digital economy, and ongoing struggles in certain industries have all been setbacks for women. The WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2022 now projects it will take 132 years to reach gender parity.
To make better progress, Zahidi says countries need better care infrastructure and more strategic planning for the workforce. “We know what is going to be the future for jobs, we know what skill sets will be required (…) within that, there has to be a gender lens. Otherwise, we’re looking at losing the gains that have happened in the past 2-3 decades.”
We also ask if affordable housing could help address the teacher shortage in US schools. Lastly, the French post office is getting a 21st century upgrade as it prepares to introduce digital stamps.
