Women Empowerment: A Key to Gender Equity
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Gender equity in the workplace is crucial to creating a fair and just society. It is an issue that has yet to be completely resolved. Even though we have made great strides, women have historically been marginalised in leadership positions and have been subject to systemic barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Empowering women in the workplace is essential to achieving gender equity.
What is Gender Equity and How is it Different to Equality?
Gender equity is the process of allocating resources, programs, and decision-making fairly to both men and women, according to their respective needs. This is different from gender equality which is the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of both men and women. While gender equality addresses the idea of equal representation, the notion of gender equity often includes the idea that everyone should have access to the same opportunities, resources, and rewards regardless of gender.
For example, gender equity would ensure that women have the same access to education and the same wages for similar jobs as men. Gender equality, on the other hand, would ensure that both men and women have an equal right to an education and a job.
Here's why empowering women in an organisation is essential for achieving gender equity:
Addressing Systematic Gender Bias
Gender bias can be a significant barrier for women in the workplace, preventing them from advancing in their careers and reaching leadership positions. By empowering women, organisations can address these biases and work to create a more equitable workplace. This can involve implementing policies and practices that support women's advancement, providing mentorship and coaching opportunities, and creating a culture of inclusion and diversity.
Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
Women make up half of the population and bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to the workplace. When women are empowered, they are more likely to hold leadership positions, which can lead to more diverse and inclusive decision-making. This diversity can lead to better business outcomes, as diverse teams are more resourceful and creative.
Retaining Top Talent
Women who feel empowered are more likely to remain with an organisation and are more likely to be productive and engaged employees. This can lead to improved retention rates and can save organisations the cost of recruiting and training new employees. In addition, empowering women can help to create a positive workplace culture, which can attract top talent to the organisation.
Boosting Productivity and Profitability
Empowered women are more likely to take on leadership roles, which can lead to more efficient and effective decision-making. In addition, they are more likely to share their knowledge and skills, which can lead to improved collaboration and teamwork. This can lead to a more productive and profitable workplace.
Meeting Stakeholder Expectations
Customers, investors, and other stakeholders increasingly expect organisations to prioritise diversity, inclusion, and gender equity. By empowering women, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to these values and build a positive reputation with stakeholders.
Women bring a distinctive set of skills, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace, and their inclusion in decision-making and policy-making processes can help create a more diverse and equitable workplace. Empowerment of women can also lead to increased productivity, creativity, and innovation, and can help to reduce workplace discrimination and harassment. Ultimately, empowering women is essential for organisations to achieve gender equity and create a level playing field.