Weaknesses

• Data collection can be quite tricky in a country with a large informal sector which is dominated by uneducated women.
• In societies with the low status of women, it can be difficult for women to participate in some sectors of the economy such as politics and technical disciplines. Consequently, the data obtained might not give a true reflection of the level of gender equality in a country.
• There are controversies regarding the GII as a measure of development. Some have argued that since the data obtained could be affected by a country’s biases towards women, the measure lacks credibility when used in making international comparisons.