This March, women all over the world are celebrating, or clamouring for, women equality.

Filipino women are actually in a pretty good place with the Philippines consistently being in the World Economic Forum’s Top 10 list of countries closing the gender gap. However, we have a long way to go.

Proof? Check out these four countries where equality is more than a thing.

Iceland

This small European country is not only famous for its stunning aurora borealis, but also for telling the world that its women are strong enough to handle political positions.

It has also been consistently topping World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report for eight consecutive years. In 2010, with strong female legislators, Iceland has implemented a ban on strip clubs, highlighting how much they loathe the objectification of women.

Sweden

Did you know that in Sweden, mothers can enjoy 420 days paid maternity leave? Yes, Philippines’ paltry 60 days paid maternity leave don’t look so good now. If that isn’t enough, the government of Sweden also give a monthly allowance of SEK 1,500 or almost P6,000 for every child until they turn 16.

Here’s one more: This Nordic country has also established free day care and education for kids aged 6 to 19. Now that’s one off your worry list. 

Germany

No country screams equality more than women leadership. Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel as its leader, now requires the biggest European companies to give 30 percent of the supervisory seats to women.

Germany suffered an onslaught of sexual assaults against its women last 2016 and as an answer, backed by female legislators, this European country recently approved a law that further protects women from violation by redefining rape: the “No means No” law.

Its authors hope that fewer perpetrators can get away with rape. With this clarification of what constitutes sexual assault, justice just might be within reach. Meanwhile, in the Philippines we haven’t move forward from victim blaming when it comes to a case of sexual assault. 

Finland

Yes, another Scandinavian country makes the list. Like its neighbour, Sweden, Finland has state-funded school meals and public childcare. Its maternity paid leave is parent-friendly as well with 263 days.

The Philippines maybe a leader in women empowerment in East Asia and the Pacific, but the fight for gender equality hasn’t been won. It will be up to us how to fight misogyny, chauvinism, and the patriarchy’s blatant discrimination.

In the next few years, the Philippines may become a country where the gender gap has been closed and girls, women, trans women, will start having fun, and sexism will be a thing of the past.

*Post photo from The Odyssey Online.