9 REASONS FOR THE GENDER GAP AND HOW WE CAN CLOSE IT – SHELLY ZALIS
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- October 13, 2023
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report* says it will take 132 years to close the gender gap. Since the pandemic, the gap has only widened. These stats are frustrating to see, and it feels as though progress has frozen in place. But that’s not true. It takes awareness and action to keep pushing forward. This is a rising call to both women and men to address gender parity head-on – at home, at work, at the polls, and in our communities. Keep building a pipeline of talent that ensures future equity. Here are the roadblocks we’re working to dismantle:
- Historical Inequality: Gender disparities have historical roots that span centuries. They have been perpetuated by social norms, cultural practices and legal systems that placed men in roles as sole decision-makers. We modernize history every day and show future generations that they can do and be whatever they want.
- Structural Barriers: Gender disparities are often deeply embedded in the structures of society, including economic, political, and social systems. Changing these structures and dismantling barriers takes time and concerted effort, and one way to begin this is to vote and elect people in office who embody the values and vision we need.
- Resistance to Change: Those who benefit from the status quo,of course see nothing wrong with doing things the way they have always been done. That’s why it’s crucial to look beyond our own lens and continue to share our stories, so that these individuals can see and acknowledge a different perspective– that isn’t their own.
- Cultural Norms and Beliefs: Beliefs about gender roles and expectations can be deeply ingrained in many cultures. Shifting these norms and fostering a more inclusive and equitable culture is a monumental task and begins when people keep seeing it – in person, in images, in the media. If they can see it, it becomes normalized.
- Economic Disparities: Gender disparities are closely tied to economic disparities. Achieving economic equality requires giving women access to economic opportunities. Digital platforms that provide remote learning has been a boon for women traditionally left with few options to escape a cycle of poverty. It has also provided a pathway for women to work from anywhere at any time.
- Policy and Legal Reforms: While policy and legal reforms are essential for advancing gender equality, the process of enacting and implementing these changes can be slow. That is why it is vital to support politicians who are culturally aware, and to vote!
- Intersectionality: Discrimination extends beyond gender and also include bias against race, ethnicity, disability, age and class. That’s why it’s crucial that we’re vocal about the multiple dimensions of identity that we represent to provide a clear picture as to what inclusion truly means.
- Global Variability: The pace at which gender disparities are closing (or not moving at all) varies significantly by region and country. Some regions are gaining faster traction faster than others, while the Middle East and North Africa remain the furthest from parity.
- Societal Awareness: Increasing awareness of gender inequality and mobilizing communities is a daily call-to-action. Storytelling and sharing stats helps gain momentum. It also starts at home and at the ground roots level. We need to continue to be vocal and share our successes and clearly outline what we want to achieve.
If we prioritize advancing women in the workplace and have a moonshot mindset, we can close the gender gap with urgency. It took us 25 years to invent the internet, 10 years to land on the moon and just 2 weeks to invent ChatGPT. We call this a Flipping Point, where intentional actions from leading companies can meet this moment. A woman has power but together, as conscious leaders we have impact.
*Source: Global Gender Gap Report 2023, World Economic Forum
