Study finds women pessimistic about the world

ED RICHARDSON AN ANALYSIS of the Gallup International Voice of the People survey for the World Economic Forum shows women are more pessimistic than men about the current state of security and prosperity in the world. More than 43 000 citizens in 50+ countries across the globe were interviewed in the survey representing the views of almost 1.2 billion citizens (more than 575 million women and 540 million men). Despite huge strides in recent decades towards full equality for women, it is still true that most governments and much of the global infrastructure are still run by men. Assessing this global environment, women see the world as less secure and less prosperous than do men. They also see little cause for optimism about the future, according to Meril James, secretary-general of Gallup International.