THE GENDER gap in Ireland is narrowing, according to the World Economic Forum, which has ranked Ireland in eighth place in its 2008 Global Gender Gap Index, up from ninth in 2007.
The study shows Ireland catching up with other western economies on measures of equality such as economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment.
An increase in the percentage of women among the nation's legislators, senior officials and managers - up from 29 per cent in 2007 to 31 per cent in 2008 - was the main reason for the improved ranking, the forum said. President Mary McAleese's continued term as head of state also boosted the political empowerment ranking.
However Irish women have yet to achieve wage equality for similar work, taking home just 71 per cent of male salaries.
The Republic still lags behind Britain when it comes to equality in labour force participation, length of paid maternity leave and the ratio of women to men in parliament.
Norway topped the league of countries in closing the gender gap, followed by Finland, Sweden, Iceland and New Zealand. However, New Zealand's 2009 ranking may be dented by the ousting of prime minister Helen Clark from office last week.
The Philippines and Denmark were also ranked ahead of Ireland. Yemen was the lowest ranking country, followed by Chad, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
No country in the world has achieved gender equality.
