According to the Global Gender Gap Index, published today by the World Economic Forum, two southern African states - South Africa and Lesotho - are among the top 10 countries where women face the least discrimination.

The WEF says South Africa climbed to sixth place, up from 22 last year, and Lesotho moved to 10th place, up from 16th place last year. According to the gender gap index, Iceland offers women the most equal treatment compared to men, followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The gender gap index measures the economic participation, opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, health and survival of women in 134 countries. The Netherlands dropped two places to number 12. The Philippines, ranked ninth, is the only Asian country in the top 10. Sri Lanka was the next best Asian country, coming in at number 16. Indonesia was down in 93rd place.
 

The country judged to have made the most progress was Paraguay; the Latin American country rose 36 places to reach number 66. Ecuador is the highest-ranking Latin American country. Yemen was ranked as the worst place for women for gender equality, followed by Chad, Pakistan and Turkey.