Two global patterns of gender inequality include wage gaps and underrepresentation in leadership. Which policy measure has been shown to improve gender equity?

• A. Privatization of education.
• B. Compulsory education for girls.
• C. Reducing female labor force participation.
• D. Eliminating maternity benefits.

Answer: (B)

Compulsory education for girls has the strongest impact on gender equity because it ensures that girls acquire essential skills and qualifications that translate into better job opportunities and higher earnings. When girls are guaranteed a minimum amount of schooling, literacy and numeracy improve, which broadens the range of careers they can pursue, including higher‑paying, leadership‑level roles. Education also helps shift social norms about what women can achieve, creating a more supportive environment for women to advance into positions of influence in both the workplace and public life. Over time, this leads to higher female labor force participation, greater economic independence, and more women in leadership. In contrast, privatizing education can restrict access for poorer families, reducing equity; reducing female labor participation would worsen inequality; and eliminating maternity benefits would reduce women's economic security and deter workforce involvement, worsening gender gaps.