Gender equality in the workplace is a vital issue for creating a more efficient and productive workplace culture. It is no longer just a matter of political correctness, but a requirement for a successful business. Ensuring that job opportunities are open to both men and women without discrimination is crucial for promoting professional development and equitable working conditions for all employees.
To foster gender equality in your organization, some actions you can take include offering management courses, leadership programs, blind job postings, and professional development programs. Supporting professional growth leads to employee satisfaction, which is strongly correlated with productivity. A study by PWC showed that 52% of women in Mexico have university degrees and 53% have a postgraduate degree, but only 13% of them have the opportunity to occupy high-ranking positions due to the lack of a gender-equal work culture.
In countries like France, where there are more women in high-ranking positions, positive changes have been observed in risk management and decision-making due to a more diverse range of perspectives. Women's innate sensitivity also helps in managing relationships with both employees and customers. Companies that have women in leadership positions are better equipped to meet consumer needs and respond to feedback.
Improving gender equality could also result in a 10% increase in the annual GDP by 2025 according to a study by McKinsey Global Institute. This benefits not only individual companies but the global economy as a whole.
Having an HR policy that includes a succession plan and a management program for high-level positions to support women's professional development, taking into account the multiple realities of women's lives, helps companies increase their ability to attract and retain female talent.
In Mexico, much still needs to be done to advance gender equality, such as creating laws to protect women's work, reducing the wage gap, and preventing discrimination. But implementing a culture of gender equality in your organization not only benefits these efforts but also helps us understand that it's not about competition, but recognizing that the combined efforts of both genders are key to success.
Tips for being inclusive:
- Promote professional development opportunities for all employees.
- Encourage diversity in the workplace by not specifying gender in job postings.
- Implement policies to support the professional growth of women.
- Foster a culture of sensitivity and respect for all employees.
How to behave:
- Treat all employees with respect and fairness.
- Avoid discriminatory comments and behavior.
- Support equal opportunities for all employees.
- Encourage diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace.
Books on this topic:
- “The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.
- “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg.
- “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir.
- “Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline Criado Perez.
