Change is happening, and it’s happening fast. On International Women’s Day, we are exploring gender balance in the workplace – a critical issue in today’s society, with the world increasingly expecting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all sectors. In the UK, women on boards have reached a record high, hitting their target three years early, with over 40% of directors at the UK’s largest listed companies being women in 2022. While this progress is commendable, there is still a long way to go, with only 33.5% of women represented in leadership roles below the board level.
To achieve greater gender balance and inclusivity in the workplace, leadership development and organisational change will be critical to success. Various initiatives have been put in place, including executive coaching, talent management, emotional intelligence training, and succession planning, as well as broader efforts around diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.
Men as allies have been recognised as a major trend in accelerating women’s equality, with progressive CEOs and influential leaders committing to building diverse and inclusive organizations that challenge stereotypes and bias. Movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, as well as the global rise in International Women’s Day activity, have put gender firmly on the agenda. Many employers now publicly publish annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) reports and participate in various indices and accolades.
While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. The journey towards gender equality has been a long one, with the focus on fixing organisational structures, such as ‘women in the boardroom,’ diverse recruiting, inclusive talent pipelines, and attention to wider diversity groups beyond gender such as race, LGBT+ and so forth. Women’s conferences and networks have increased significantly, as has gender-related research.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to acknowledge the progress that has been made towards achieving gender equality in the workplace. However, we must continue to focus on areas like executive development, succession planning, emotional intelligence, and personal development if we are to create truly inclusive organisations. By working together to promote inclusivity and eliminate bias, we can create a better future for everyone.
Insightful statistics include:
Download the Women in the Workplace Report to gain a sense of where women are on the long road to equality.
Or download the Global Gender Gap report that reinforces the growing urgency for action.
Read the full info here at www.gov.uk “FTSE 350 hits boardroom gender balance target three years early”
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