The recent Women’s Equality Event, sponsored by US Tech Solutions, brought together experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in the workplace. The event highlighted the ongoing struggle for women’s equality and the need for continued action to create a more equitable environment.
A Persistent Challenge
Despite significant progress in recent decades, women’s equality in the workplace remains a persistent challenge. While many organisations have implemented initiatives to address women’s equality, the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, and work-life balance challenges continue to persist.
Statistics highlight these continuing challenges, for instance:
- Gender Pay Gap: Globally, women earn on average 18% less than men for the same work.
- Leadership Representation: Women hold only 28% of senior management positions worldwide.
- Sexual Harassment: A significant number of women experience sexual harassment in the workplace, creating a hostile environment.
What Did Our Panellists Have to Say?
Internal Challenges
One of the primary challenges women face is internal barriers, such as imposter syndrome and a lack of self-confidence. As Feliana Citradewi noted, “Imposter syndrome is more prevalent among women than men.”
Organisations can address internal challenges by providing mentorship programs, coaching services, and workshops that focus on building self-esteem and confidence. Encouraging open dialogue about these issues can also help women feel more supported and empowered.
Networking and Visibility
Building strong professional networks is essential for women’s success, but men often dominate these spaces. It’s crucial for women to actively seek out networking opportunities and make their voices heard. As Kelly Nayak emphasised, “Networking is crucial for women’s career advancement, but men often dominate professional networks.”
Organisations can facilitate networking opportunities by hosting events, creating employee resource groups, and providing mentorship programs. Additionally, organisations can promote a culture of inclusivity and encourage employees to actively support and advocate for their female colleagues.
Organisational Barriers
Organisations may face challenges in implementing women’s equality initiatives due to factors like systemic biases, resistance to change, and the belief in meritocracy. Hira Ali noted, “Organisations often fail to acknowledge the existence of gender inequality and systemic biases.”
To overcome these barriers, organisations should conduct thorough assessments of their current practices, develop inclusive policies and procedures, and provide training and development opportunities for employees.
Male Allyship
Male colleagues play a vital role in supporting women’s equality. As Feliana Citradewi observed, “Male allyship is crucial in achieving gender parity.” Encouraging male allyship can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace.
Organisations can promote male allyship through training programs, mentorship initiatives, and employee resource groups. They can also recognise and reward employees who demonstrate inclusive behaviours and actively support women’s advancement.
Supplier Diversity
Promoting supplier diversity can help create a more equitable marketplace and provide opportunities for women-owned businesses. Kelly Nayak emphasised the importance of supplier diversity, stating, “Supplier diversity is essentially a DEI strategy for the supply chain and procurement.”
Organisations can establish supplier diversity goals and actively seek out women-owned businesses. They can also provide resources and support to help these businesses grow and succeed. Additionally, organisations can measure the impact of their supplier diversity efforts to ensure they are making a positive difference.
Conclusion
While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in the workplace. Organisations must continue to prioritise diversity and inclusion initiatives, address systemic biases, and create a supportive environment for women. By taking action on these fronts, we can create a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
If you missed the event and would like to catch up, you can watch the video here.
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