3 Ways to Encourage Gender Equality at work

Inspired by a Forbes article on Gender Equality, we would like to bring some ideas to invite you to work for Gender Equality in your field. It doesn't matter if you are a woman or not, if you feel empathy for people and your community, it is imperative to take action on a reality that affects us all. In fact, this issue is so urgent that it is part of the United Nations' sustainable development goals for 2030.

“Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, which states that “Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. There has been progressing over the last decades, but the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030”.

In case you are not aware, or even if you are but want to learn more, here you have some facts and figures about the need for gender equity published by the UN on their webpage:

● Globally, 26 percent of ever-partnered women aged 15 and older (641 million) have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a husband or intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.
● In 2021, nearly one in five young women were married before the age of 18.
● 35 percent and 28 percent of young women were married in childhood, respectively in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia,
● As of 1 January 2022, the global share of women in lower and single houses of national parliaments reached 26.2 percent, up from 22.4 percent in 2015.
● At this pace, it would take another 40 years for women and men to be represented equally in national parliaments.
● Women’s share is slightly over one-third in local governments.
● In 2019, before the pandemic, women accounted for 39.4 percent of total employment. In 2020, women represented nearly 45 percent of global employment losses.
● The share of women in managerial positions worldwide increased from 27.2 to 28.3 percent from 2015 to 2019, but remained unchanged from 2019 to 2020, the first year without an increase since 2013.
● Only 15 out of 52 reporting countries included sufficient provisions in their legal frameworks to protect women’s rights to land.
● Between 2018 and 2021, only 26 percent of countries had comprehensive systems in place to track public allocations for gender equality, 59 percent have some features of such a system, and 15 percent do not have the minimum elements of such a system.

While there is greater progress and awareness on this issue every day, there is still a significant lag in delivering on the promises of equality at work, with a 100-year gap from female representation in leadership to pay equity, according to the UN.

Based on the Forbes article mentioned above: “13 Ways Business Owners Can Promote Gender Equality Through Company Culture”, we want to highlight 3 ways to promote gender equality in your workplace and society recommended by an expert panel:

“Encourage Development At All Levels

True gender equality comes from developing each employee regardless of gender. It is important to develop both men and women equally in all roles. Training and development for each employee, no matter their gender, should be built around what particular employees need to succeed. The benefit is that the employees, regardless of gender, feel they are a part of the business and have an integral role. -

Christopher Fairbank, The Dare to be Different Business Leadership Strategist, Coach, and Speaker

In fact, offer More Women Leadership Roles to create gender equality, and promote an equal number of women as you do men. Statistically, a high number of women are in supervisor or manager roles. Yet, when it comes to higher-level positions in companies, the number of women in those roles thinks out. Don't let that happen. Do not ask women how they are going to handle being a mother and working. Instead, ask them if they would like the role! - Bobbie Goheen, Synthesis Management Group

This includes, changing The Words You Use. Is the language you use in company communication and around the office leaning toward one gender? Looking at your common language and the way you engage with the team is a great place to start. - Aaron Levy, Raise The Bar

Ensure Ongoing Training On Unconscious Bias

To create a culture of equality among the genders, it is of utmost importance that you stay away from the locker room talk and stories. Create a culture of a higher level of awareness by ongoing training on unconscious bias. You have to make the unconscious conscious through more than just a one-and-done training session. The only way people learn is if you train them. - Jon Dwoskin, The Jon Dwoskin Experience”



In its article, Forbes explains how “One of the most significant methods of promoting gender equality in the workplace comes from utilizing the company culture. Company culture forms the basis of behavior at all levels within the company and is more important to changing workplace attitudes than many business leaders might believe”.

What we can do as citizens and people with leadership roles is to create safe spaces and promote gender equality, disseminating information and being bridges for change. And of course, a valid and effective way is with EDUCATION. Studying and helping those communities that need it most with our knowledge and support. Today, there are many options to access tools and universities to pursue your dreams and help society.