Qu'est-ce que Gender Equality Index ?

Definition

The gender equality index is a composite measurement framework that evaluates an organisation's performance on gender equity across multiple dimensions — pay gaps, representation at different seniority levels, career progression rates, and impact of parental leave on career trajectories.

In practice

In Belgium, gender pay gap analysis is required by the 2012 law on gender equality in companies, which requires employers with more than 50 employees to conduct a triennial pay equity analysis with employee representatives. The Federal Institute for the Equality of Women and Men (Institut pour l'Égalité des Femmes et des Hommes) publishes regular reports on the gender pay gap and works with sector-level joint commissions on equality plans. At EU level, the Pay Transparency Directive (2023) requires companies with 100+ employees to publish pay gap data by gender from 2027 and to take corrective action when unexplained gaps exceed 5%. France's model (the Pénicaud index, mandatory since 2019 for companies with 50+ employees) measures five indicators (pay gap, bonus gap, top earner representation, salary raises after maternity leave, proportion of women in top 10 earners) and requires public reporting. A similar framework is under development at EU level.

Key takeaway

The gender equality index forces transparency — companies that have never measured their gaps are frequently surprised by what they find, making measurement the essential first step toward genuine action.