A global study conducted in 31 countries by Ipsos in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College London for International Women's Day showed that, despite the general belief that Generation Z is more open to new ideas than those before them, they hold more conservative opinions regarding gender equality.

Key findings of the study

One of the significant findings indicates that Generation Z and Millennials are more likely to agree that a man staying home to take care of children is less of a man (25% and 27%, respectively) than Generation X (20%) and Baby Boomers (11%). However, within each generation, there are differences of opinion. There is a 20 percentage point difference between men from Generation Z (60%) and women from Generation Z (40%) when it comes to believing that efforts for women's equality are discriminatory against men.

Two-thirds (65%) of respondents agree that there will not be equal opportunities between women and men in their country unless men take action to support women's rights. However, half (51%) of respondents believe that men are asked to do too much to promote equality, and fewer than 40% identify with the feminist movement.

Seven out of ten people (70%) with experience living under the leadership of a male or female politician have no preferences regarding the gender of their political leader.

Younger generations are not progressive, especially young men

When it comes to gender equality, young people do not always show the highest level of support. Over half of Generation Z and Millennials believe that, concerning granting equal rights to women and men, things have gone far enough in their country (57% Generation Z, 60% Millennials), compared to 43% of Baby Boomers.

For Gen Z, the gender of political leaders does not matter, but experience does

The study shows that there is no preference for the gender of their leaders - but experience matters.

Most respondents said they would have no preference between a man and a woman if they had to make a choice. But experience matters. The more experience a person has, whether they are a woman or a man, the less gender matters.

Seven out of ten respondents (70%) with experience living under the leadership of a male or female politician have no preferences regarding the gender of the political leader.

Most respondents, globally, believe that male and female politicians are equally good at defending national security (43%), getting the economy back on track (43%), and fighting crime (42%). Or that they are equally bad, regardless of gender (17%, 22%, and 21%, respectively).