In 2011, the Davies report pushed for better female representation in large firms and, in November, the overall gender pay gap officially fell below 10%.
It was also higher than an overall gender pay gap of 9%, calculated from figures for gross hourly pay for workers aged between 22 and 30.
Since 2013 the BBC has reduced the overall gender pay difference and most male and female averages are well within the Equality and Human Rights Commission's recommended guidelines.
"The reduction in the overall gender wage gap has been the result of more women becoming highly educated, and a decline in the wage gap among the lowest-educated".
Not one country has closed its overall gender gap since 2006 but all five of the Nordic countries have closed more than 80% of it and they now sit at the top of the rankings.
Downing Street said that, at a bare minimum, companies were to look at the hourly rate of each employee by gender and then publish their full-time gender pay gap, part-time gender pay gap and overall gender pay gap.
An audit could include disclosure of a single overall gender pay gap, or a more detailed breakdown across an organisation by job grade and type that includes the gender ratio in full- and part-time roles.
While the overall gender gap played a significant role in ensuring Obama's reëlection, it didn't have very much to do with white women, who remain one of the bulwarks of the Republican Party.
A ratio system should also be adopted, the report recommends, so that once a court reaches a 40 60 gender balance there would be no requirement to appoint a woman (or apply a quota) unless the overall gender balance fell.
Overall, gender accounts for little of the variation paid employment.
Statistically compared to other metropolitan areas, Silicon Valley could improve in overall gender parity.
