Gender equality at the workplace has been a critical issue for decades. It refers to the fair treatment of individuals regardless of their gender representation. Equality is essential for creating an empowering, respectful, and productive work environment. It is reached that individuals who are being treated moderately and with admiration, are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity, creativity, and innovation, what is essential for every organization’s sustainability.
Gender equality at the workplace is a fundamental human right that has been a topic of discussion and advocacy for many years. It means ensuring that employees have equal rights, equivalent access to employment and developmental opportunities, equal pay for equal work, and the same treatment in the workplace.
A high percentage of females earn less than males, even when performing the same job. They often face challenges in accessing leadership and management positions due to gender bias and other cultural factors. The most significant barriers to achieving gender equality in the workplace are gender bias, gap pay, discrimination, harassment, and unequal career advancement opportunities. “Women hold over one third of seats in local decision-making bodies. Close to 1 in every 3 managers/ supervisors is a woman. At the current pace of change, parity will not be achieved for another 140 years” according to the UN snapshot 2022. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and understanding of the importance of creating a workplace that promotes gender equality, yet despite advancements made, only 26% of countries possess a comprehensive mechanism to monitor gender budget allocations as per the UN Snapshot 2022.
There shall be vital transformational efforts to amend the labor laws and regulations. The misrepresentation and inequality in employability and developmental chances shall be eliminated the soonest. Laws should oblige institutions to sharply abide by all such actions. Organizations must be committed to gender equity and equality by implementing and promoting gender-neutral practices, adopting inclusive gender-neutral language, providing work-life balance support, offering training and development opportunities to all employees, and creating a culture of respect and inclusivity. By doing so, organizations can ensure that they attract and retain the best talents, increase employees’ engagement and productivity, and ultimately, achieve their business goals.
In conclusion, gender equity and equality are critical for creating a workplace that is impartial, respectful, and productive. Achieving gender equality in the workplace is essential for building a just society and promoting sustainable economic growth. It requires addressing various issues that have perpetuated gender inequality. We are in the 21st century, where the AI is invading the world and we are still requesting for basic human rights. Women still are underrepresented in stem jobs for example where only one out of 5 get a job in the field (UN Women report), even such platforms are seemed to be biased. Women are still not given the same opportunities due to their gender representation. Isn’t it the time yet to embrace Gender Equality and Equity?
