Continuing Gender Inequality Highlighted in New SSI Research

SHELTON, Connecticut, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Gap Remains Between What Consumers Believe and How Society Acts Toward Women

As the world recognizes International Women's Day, global consumers acknowledge a discrepancy between how they feel gender equality "should be" and the perception of the way things actually are. According to new research with Survey Sampling International's (SSI) global online panels in eight countries, most participants (70%) strongly agree with the statement "men and women should be paid the same wage for the same position." Only a minority of participants, however, "strongly agree" that "in my country, women are equal to men in the workplace" and "in my country, men and women have equal rights."

On a country level, participants in Germany (37%) and the US (35%) are mostly likely to "strongly agree" that "in my country, men and women have equal rights." France (16%) and Japan (8%) are least likely to "strongly agree."

SSI's findings are based on a study of 4,000+ adults drawn from its online panels. Countries covered include the US, UK, Australia, China, Germany, France, Japan and Singapore. SSI offers extensive worldwide reach to support survey research through SSI Dynamix(TM), its dynamic sampling platform that links to its own global panels, as well as social media, affiliate partners, online communities and more.

The Politics of Gender Equality

When examining the likelihood of voting for a female or male candidate of equal abilities, almost half of Chinese participants (46%) state that they are more likely to vote for a male. It is also important to note that 42% of China's participants are just as likely to vote for either gender. Overall, 72% of participants across the eight countries are just as likely to vote either gender into a position of leadership when the candidates are equally qualified.

Opinions across countries differ more than opinions within countries. Among males, 26% are "more likely to vote a male into a position of leadership," while only 4% of males would be "more likely to vote for a female." Females are "more likely to vote a female into a position of leadership" (11%) than males. Like their male counterparts, however, females choose "more likely to vote for a male" (15%) more often than "more likely to vote for a female" (11%).

International Women's Day Awareness

Sixty percent of participants report that they are aware of International Women's Day. Participants in the US (12%), UK (34%) and Japan (44%) are least aware of the holiday. Conversely, in Germany (77%), France (82%), Australia (57%), Singapore (75%) and China (99%), the majority of participants have heard of International Women's Day. Participants aware of the event in China are most likely to plan on attending a scheduled event for the holiday (46%).

About Survey Sampling International

Survey Sampling International (http://www.surveysampling.com) is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 72 countries via Internet, telephone and mobile/wireless. Value-add services include questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, and data processing. SSI serves more than 2,000 clients, including 48 of the top 50 research organizations. Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15 countries.