Women’s rights and gender equality are in the media … again.
And not just because of International Women's
Day.
Last week I was at the 10 Decades of Women’s Voices Event. #TenDec23
There’s so much we take for granted these days and we’ve come a long way. However, there’s still a way to go and in some instances we appear to be going backwards.
A few of the stats the speakers shared at the Event were:
- In 1918 only married women over the age of 30 were allowed a vote.
- In 1956 women who are teachers or in government jobs gained the right to equal pay
- Women couldn’t open a bank account in their own right without a male guarantor until 1975!
Thankfully things are changing but not quickly enough.
If your world view is dominated by men in positions of power.
Being told you can’t do that, because you’re a girl or a woman.
It colours and informs your view - for both men and women.
Even quite recently someone remarked, “It’s more
important that men get a job in order to provide for their families.”
Men in a position of authority, making comments such as, they couldn't employ an attractive woman because she’s “too big a risk”.
Although 50% of the population are women, gender inequality still
exists.
Even more so around the world where the gap and the level of inequality is even greater, particularly in health, education and employment.
While numbers are improving, women need more representation in all levels of business and society.
Here in the UK
- 35% of MPs are women
- 30% of leadership positions are women
- Women at board level in FTSE 100 companies is at 39%
- Overall C-suite positions, only 1 in 4 are women
- Less than 2% of investment goes to all female teams in SMEs
However, women are more likely to turn down an opportunity when offered or not put themselves forward, due to family or carer pressure and responsibility or a lack of confidence
in their skills and ability. High childcare costs often mean it’s the woman who gives up work to look after the children.
When women have children, they often leave or take a lower paid job so they can spend more time with their children.
The theme for this year’s
International Women’s Day - ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.’
Having worked in the technology sector for many years, I know what it was like to work in a male dominated sector.
- Often being the only woman in the meeting
- Being told I could ‘take the notes’
- Half jokes about ‘making the tea’
- Being paid less than my male counterparts
Hopefully things have changed as more women find jobs in the STEM sectors.
Women need mentors, coaches and role models and to be encouraged to step up into positions at all levels and in all sectors.
They need to feel safe, secure and listened to when they do. They need to feel respected, supported, and lifted up by men and women alike, not belittled,
denigrated or ignored.
In my business, the people I work with are pretty evenly split between men and women and I enjoy working with both.
Over and above the common challenges of "too much to do and too little time", there is a difference in the
conversations.
- For women it's how to juggle the demands of childcare, family or carer responsibilities around their work or business. Feelings of guilt and a lack of confidence.
- For men it's the pressure to perform. Putting in the hours to get the results while, missing out on family, relationship and social time. The expectation placed on them by work
and society.
- A difference in roles and responsibilities, how to communicate and when to say 'no' or 'enough', in more appropriate and effective ways.
Get involved
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the reality of gender equality in the UK today. So please spare a few minutes to take the Eyestorm Survey.
