Fraser Institute News Release: Seven additional countries eliminated gender discrimination for economic freedom from 2020 to 2022; 35 others continue to impose severe restrictions on women's economic rights
VANCOUVER, BC, April 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Despite improvements, 35 countries continued to impose significant restrictions on the economic rights of women compared with men in 2022 while two countries increased these restrictions, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.
When people have more economic freedom, they are allowed to make more of their own economic decisions, including decisions to own property, to decide what to buy, where to work, whether to start a business, to engage in trade, and even to open a bank account.
"Economic freedom empowers women to determine the course of their own lives, granting them greater independence and leaving them less vulnerable, while also benefiting society by creating greater prosperity and increasing economic activity," said Rosemarie Fike, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute, economics instructor at Texas Christian University, and author of this year's Women and Progress report.
This year's report, which reviewed165 countries in total, tracks changes in economic freedom for women around the world and finds that since 2020 seven countries completely eliminated gender disparity in economic freedom and now have equal economic freedom for men and women: Bhutan, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Uganda, and Vietnam.
An additional 15 countries improved their Gender Disparity Index score by relaxing legal restrictions on women's economic rights from 2020 to 2022.
Unfortunately, during the same two-year period, 35 countries continued to enforce severe restrictions on women's economic rights. Notably, Sudan, Yemen, Niger, Iran, and Egypt have the largest gender disparities in economic freedom.
Crucially, gender disparity in economic freedom globally has steadily declined since 1970, but still some 600 million women live in one of the 35 countries with the greatest disparities. Moreover, backsliding happens. Since 2020, for instance, Saudi Arabia reintroduced several restrictions on women's economic rights demonstrating that the presence of economic freedom today does not guarantee it will be there tomorrow.
"While there has been some progress, now is no time for complacency given the sheer number of women around the world who are not allowed the same level of economic freedom as men," Fike said.
"By allowing women the same economic rights as men, policymakers around the world could help all their citizens—men and women—live happier, healthier and wealthier lives."
For a free PDF download and more information, visit www.womenandprogress.org.
The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org
SOURCE The Fraser Institute
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
41 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Bell Media to Make Strategic Investment in Blink49 Studios
– The two companies strike a production and distribution partnership on a slate of Blink49 projects – – The investment, made through Bell Ventures, is set to close this Fall – BANFF, AB, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Bell Media announced today that it is making a strategic investment in independent production company, Blink49 Studios. Based in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, Blink49 is known for its robust production pipeline and partnership capabilities within Canada, U.S., and Europe. The investment, which sees Bell Media strike, alongside FIFTH SEASON, a production and global distribution partnership with Blink49, further enhances Blink49's capabilities as it continues to grow its slate of scripted and unscripted content. The deal is set to close this Fall. "This investment is another significant step in our continued efforts to enhance the reach of Canadian creatives and deliver impactful storytelling that resonates at home and abroad," said Sean Cohan, President, Bell Media. "John Morayniss and his team have a proven track record of bringing compelling content to the global market, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration with them." "We're incredibly proud of what we've built at Blink49 in just a few short years, and this strategic investment from Bell Media marks an exciting new chapter in our growth," said John Morayniss, CEO, Blink49 Studios. "Under Sean Cohan's leadership and with the support of the talented team at Bell Media who share our commitment to compelling and entertaining storytelling, we're well positioned to significantly expand our slate across both scripted and unscripted content, strengthen our reach in Canada and internationally, and continue building meaningful partnerships that bring bold, creative visions to life." Founded in the fall of 2021, Blink49 Studios is a world-class full-service indie studio focused on the development, production, and distribution of scripted and unscripted television and made-for-TV movies. Bell Media and Blink49 Studios have recently partnered on docuseries QUEEN OF THE CASTLE, and scripted series including DON'T EVEN, LATE BLOOMER, SIGHT UNSEEN, and THE TRADES in addition to two newly announced projects, the upcoming reality series BLUE COLLAR and scripted drama YAGA. Other series produced by Blink49 include drama series WILD CARDS and international reality series BEAST GAMES, among others. Bell Media joins global entertainment leader, FIFTH SEASON, in making a strategic investment in Blink49. Bell Media's investment is made through Bell Ventures which supports Canadian entrepreneurship, helping to drive innovation and accelerate growth for its partners. About Bell Media Bell Media is Canada's leading media and entertainment company with a portfolio of assets in premium video, audio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. This includes Canada's most-watched television network, CTV; the largest Canadian-owned video streamer, Crave, with a premium add-on to include STARZ; a powerful suite of specialty channels; the most-trusted news brand, CTV News; Canada's cross-platform sports leaders, TSN and RDS; leading out-of-home advertising network, Astral; Québec's fast-growing conventional French-language network, Noovo; the country's leading radio and podcast app, iHeartRadio Canada; and a range of award-winning original productions, brands, and services. As a content leader and partner in Sphere Media, Montréal's Grande Studios, and Dome Productions, one of North America's leading production facilities providers, Bell Media is committed to keeping Canadians entertained and informed. Bell Media also offers best-in-class technology, marketing, and analytics support through Bell Marketing Platform, an omnichannel self-serve platform which includes Bell Analytics, Strategic Audience Management (SAM), and Bell DSP, in addition to advanced advertising solutions, including Linear Addressable TV, Addressable Audio, and ads on Crave. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. 1 Learn more at 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.
Cision Canada
41 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Ambassadors Accelerate CarePatrol's AlignedCare™ Program
Beta testing begins for proprietary value-based care model driven by advisor insights OTTAWA, Ontario, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- CarePatrol, a leading senior care solutions franchise with more than 200 locations open across 40 states and Canada, is advancing its proprietary AlignedCare™ Value-Based Care (VBC) Certification Program with the selection of its first Ambassador team. The select group of experienced advisors will act as early adopters, leading beta testing and shaping the future for value-based care integration within senior care advisory services. The AlignedCare Program represents a transformative step in how care solutions are guided and recommended. Advisors who complete the certification will be qualified to support families using an evidence-informed model based on outcomes, social determinants of health, and care collaboration. Built on value-based care principles informed by the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, the program enables higher levels of client precision and personalization, while also expanding value-based care partnership networks. Throughout the beta phase, AlignedCare Ambassadors will be applying the model within their current practices and providing critical feedback on assessment tools, strategic workflows, and outcomes tracking. Insights provided and gained during this phase will assist in system-wide implementation. "We're thrilled with the early momentum of the AlignedCare Program and the enthusiasm from our Ambassador team," said Becky Bongiovanni, co-founder and brand president of CarePatrol. "Our advisors are stepping into a leadership role that goes far beyond traditional care advisory. By aligning every recommendation with value-based care principles, we are building a more complete, measurable, and compassionate model for senior care." Each AlignedCare Ambassador plays a vital role in strengthening CarePatrol's mission to strengthen senior care advisory services through professional development, collaboration, and meaningful community impact. This next phase of the initiative builds on CarePatrol's legacy of innovation, using evidence-informed practices to deliver personalized, outcome-focused advisory solutions. A full system-wide rollout of the AlignedCare™ Certification Program is anticipated later this year. About CarePatrol CarePatrol is the nation's largest senior care solutions franchise in the United States. With more than 225 locations sold across 40 states and Canada, local senior advisors provide a no-cost service in helping families find quality, top-rated independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care, and home care. Founded in 1993, CarePatrol began franchising in 2009 and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company. CarePatrol is proud to have earned the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 14 years in a row, including its induction into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and has earned placement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. For more information, visit
Cision Canada
41 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Firework Recognized with Frost & Sullivan's 2025 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award
SAN ANTONIO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently analyzed the video commerce industry and based on its research findings, recognizes Firework with the 2025 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award. Firework has emerged as a leading player in the video commerce space by empowering brands with immersive AI-driven video experiences. By integrating shoppable video content into websites and digital storefronts, Firework helps businesses drive engagement, increase conversions through sourcing and syndicating rich video content and redefine digital shopping experiences. Since its inception, Firework has focused on revolutionizing eCommerce by bridging the gap between content and commerce. The company has built a robust video infrastructure ecosystem that enables brands and retailers to own, manage and syndicate their video content while fostering deeper customer relationships. Recognizing the shift in consumer behavior toward interactive and video-driven shopping experiences, Firework supports leading global brands across various industries, including beauty, fashion, grocery, and home improvement. A pivotal moment in Firework's journey came with its emphasis on AI-powered video commerce solutions. By integrating AI-driven content personalization and real-time analytics, Firework enables integration across brands, retailers, and connected commerce ecosystems to drive engagement and conversions. The company's innovative approach has led to widespread adoption, with Firework now serving thousands of brands globally and powering AI-driven video commerce for leading enterprises. "Firework's strategy aligns with the increasing demand for immersive digital experiences," said Lara Forlino, Senior Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Its ability to merge high-quality video content with commerce functionalities gives brands a significant competitive advantage. Firework's focus on first-party data and owned media channels further differentiates it in a market that is rapidly shifting away from third-party dependency." Firework's expansion has been driven by significant technological advancements, including AI-driven video commerce experiences to improve conversions for brands. The company collaborates with major global brands and retailers, enabling them to source scalable video commerce solutions tailored to their specific needs. With features such as Shoppable Video, Video Showroom, 1:1 Video Chat, and AI Video Assistant, Firework continues to shape the future of online commerce. "Receiving Frost & Sullivan's Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award is an honor and a testament to our commitment to innovation," said Vincent Yang, CEO at Firework. "At Firework, we are revolutionizing the video commerce industry through AI technology that addresses our customers' pain points. This recognition reinforces our mission to empower brands with solutions they need to engage customers and drive meaningful business outcomes." Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning, and customer satisfaction. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Firework is your all-in-one platform for AI-powered video commerce. From content sourcing to omnichannel distribution, empowering brands to turn every touchpoint into a moment of inspiration and every moment into a sale. Talk to an expert to learn more. Contact: Michelle Lee P:415-525-7219 E: [email protected]
