Top universities for championing gender equality in 2024

University Impact Rankings for UN SDG 5: Gender Equality

Times Higher Education has assessed and ranked 1,361 universities from 114 countries/regions on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality. These universities excel in eliminating forms of discrimination and violence against women, enhancing women’s access to reproductive rights and ensuring their effective participation in leadership and public life. Through dedicated research, comprehensive policies and inclusive practices, these institutions play pivotal roles in empowering women and advancing gender equality across global communities.

These leading universities foster environments where women can thrive by providing equitable access to education, opportunities for leadership and advocating for comprehensive social protection policies. Their efforts are crucial in promoting the empowerment of women and achieving substantial progress towards gender parity in all areas of society.

Summary of findings

The ranking for SDG 5: gender equality is led by Western Sydney University in Australia for the second year in a row. Institut Mines-Télécom Business School in France, The Women University Multan in Pakistan, Universitas Airlangga in Indonesia and Al Ain University in the United Arab Emirates make up the rest of the top five. 

Pakistan and Turkey have the most universities ranked (67 each). The country with the highest average score is Australia (70.8).

Methodology

Our methodology for SDG 5: gender equality encompasses a detailed set of indicators that accurately evaluate universities’ contributions towards fostering gender equality and empowering women:

Research on gender equality (27%)

• Number of studies focused on eliminating forms of discrimination and violence against women, women’s reproductive rights and gender equality in public and private sectors
• Proportion of gender-related research that is authored by women
• Proportion of gender-related research in top journals

Proportion of first-generation female students (15.4%)

• Proportion of women who identify as being the first person in their immediate family to attend university

Student access measures (15.4%)

• Initiatives and programmes to ensure female students have equitable access to university

Proportion of senior female academics (15.4%)

• The percentage of women in senior academic and leadership positions within the university

Proportion of women receiving degrees (11.5%)

• Tracking the graduation rates of women across various disciplines, highlighting progress in traditionally male-dominated fields

Women’s progress measures (15.3%)

• Comprehensive assessment of women's advancement through mentorship programmes, maternity and paternity policies, childcare facilities and non-discrimination policies

The Impact Rankings are inherently dynamic: they are growing rapidly each year as many more universities seek to demonstrate their commitment to delivering the SDGs by joining our database; and they allow institutions to demonstrate rapid improvement year-on-year, by introducing clear new policies, for example, or by providing clearer and more open evidence of their progress. Therefore, we expect and welcome regular change in the ranked order of institutions (and we discourage year-on-year comparisons) as universities continue to drive this urgent agenda.

View the overall Impact Rankings 2024

Read our analysis of the Impact Rankings 2024 results

Download a free copy of the Impact Rankings 2024 digital report

Register to participate in next year’s Impact Rankings

To raise your university’s global profile with Times Higher Education, contact branding@timeshighereducation.com

To unlock the data behind THE’s Impact Rankings and access a range of analytical and benchmarking tools, click here