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Technical Note - A(EDEP) is calculated, as a populationweightedaverage, according to thefollowing general formula:EDEP ={[female population share(female index 1-ε )]+[male population share(male index 1-ε )]} 1/1-εε measures the aversion to inequality. Inthe GEM (as in the GDI) ε = 2, which placesa moderate penalty on inequality. Theformula is thus:EDEP ={[female population share (female index -1 )]+ [male population share (male index -1 )]} -1For political and economic participationand decision making, the EDEP is thenindexed by dividing it by 50. The rationalefor this indexation: in an ideal society,with equal empowerment of the sexes, theGEM variables would equal 50 per cent,that is, women’s share would equal men’sshare for each variable.Finally, the GEM is calculated as a simpleaverage of the three indexed EDEPs.Source: UNDP, 2002Regional Human Development Report166 HIV/AIDS and Development in South Asia 2003