A link to the full paper is here.

Abstract: This article presents a set of descriptive facts and commentary on broad patterns in gender inequality over the past hundred years. The assessment of gender gaps is organized by human life stages. A key takeaway is that gender gaps do not evolve in the same pattern across major regions over time. Certain inequalities shrink universally (example, educational gaps and maternal mortality outcomes), while others stay the same or increase (example, labor market gaps and reproductive rights). Two related drivers of the observed differential persistence in gender inequalities are briefly examined: institutional change (both formal and informal) and intersectional interests. Gaps in political representation and gendered beliefs have seen greater declines in some regions compared to others. The political economy dynamics of shifting such institutional constraints might hold the key to further progress on closing gender gaps.