Gender equality in the workplace: important progress hailed by the Nobel Prize

Despite progress in STEM and women achieving leadership positions, gender equality at work is not improving much, recent data from the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) The Worker and Sector Profiles database show.

Last month marked a significant milestone in the promotion of gender equality as Professor Claudia Goldin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics, a field traditionally dominated by men. This achievement not only recognizes women’s contributions but also highlights the importance of Goldin’s research, which has “advanced our understanding of labor market outcomes for women”.

While Goldin’s research provides an in-depth perspective on women’s roles and the causes of inequality in the U.S., it’s essential to recognize that narratives can vary globally due to a variety of social and cultural factors.

Gender imbalances in trades and sectors

The ILO’s data sheds light on significant gender imbalances across various industries. Jobs traditionally associated with women, like nursing and childcare, still have a predominantly female workforce, sometimes exceeding 90%. Professions in primary education, early childhood, and roles in kitchens, cleaning, and offices also see a high percentage of women.

Conversely, high-risk occupations such as locomotive driving and heavy machinery operations remain predominantly male. The mining, quarrying and construction sectors also remain heavily male-dominated. There are, however, gender-balanced occupations in sales, management and administration.

Overall, the gender distribution across sectors tends to follow expected patterns, with strong female representation in social services, healthcare, and certain manufacturing industries, notably those related to apparel. On the flip side, sectors such as mining, quarrying and construction remain heavily male-dominated. Retail sectors, however, show a more balanced gender distribution.

Women in care work

Many predominantly female trades and sectors revolve around care work, with significant representation in crucial areas such as childcare, nursing and midwifery. Women account for 67% of the global care workforce, according to the latest global estimates. Notably, domestic workers, predominantly women, are prevalent, with at least four out of five in the care sector originating from countries like Seychelles, Belarus, Slovakia, and Georgia.

Interestingly, care occupations beyond the traditional sector (for example, personal care workers in hospitality) and non-care occupations within the care sector (such as administrative staff in care homes, hospitals or clinics) show a more balanced gender distribution.

The stark gender divide in care professions has serious implications for women’s job opportunities, economic independence and overall gender equality. With a growing demand for care worldwide due to changing family structures, an aging population and the challenges of climate change, it is imperative to implement gender-sensitive care policies to meet these growing needs. Failure to take action risks exacerbating gender inequalities in the labor market and placing additional burden on care workers, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent celebration of the UN International Day for Care and Support underlines the importance of investing in care to achieve gender equality and social justice.

Pushing the boundaries for women in STEM

There are signs of progress in the representation of women in STEM. The latest global estimate reveals that two out of every five women now work in these fields, with notable examples being Mongolia, Belarus, and Lesotho where over half of the STEM workforce is female. However, some countries like Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Burkina Faso, and Iraq still have a long way to go, with less than a quarter of their STEM workforce being female.

Inclusion of women in STEM professions is crucial for diverse perspectives, addressing historical inequalities, driving economic innovation, inspiring future generations, tackling global challenges, and promoting inclusivity. Despite these positive trends, women continue to be underrepresented, especially in technology and engineering roles, making up only around 10% of civil engineers and software developers. The information and communication technology (ICT) sector also has low female representation, with less than a quarter of women, and a significant gender pay gap persists.

Women’s slow ascent to management positions

Despite progress in women’s employment in STEM, challenges persist in their advancement to senior management roles. Currently, only 36% of senior and middle management positions are held by women, and they are predominantly found in roles associated with traditionally female sectors, like childcare (89%) and elderly care (78%).

In contrast, management positions in sectors such as public relations, human resources, finance, and business services show a more balanced representation, with nearly half occupied by women. Notably, only around a fifth of managing director and CEO roles are held by women, indicating disparities not only in numbers but also in terms of opportunities, empowerment, and perceptions.

Tourism’s potential to empower women in local economies

Tourism stands out as a dynamic sector, offering abundant opportunities for women and young people. Despite its labor-intensive nature, tourism has become a source of optimism for women, with many venturing into entrepreneurship worldwide. Additionally, it acts as a driving force for economic diversification, particularly in rural and remote areas. Notably, the food & beverage and hospitality sectors lead in terms of female employment.

However, jobs in these sectors often come with their own challenges. They often involve self-employment, smaller businesses, higher informality rates, and generally lower wages and productivity.

Conclusion

The global landscape of gender dynamics in the job market showcases both progress and challenges. The recent Nobel Prize awarded to Professor Claudia Goldin underlines the importance of women in the professional realm. A closer examination of sectoral trends exposes domains where women take the lead, are on the rise, or are notably absent. Persistent traditional patterns are evident, whether in STEM professions or managerial roles. To move closer to equity, it is crucial to sustain dialogue, question norms, and commemorate every stride towards parity. Each figure, statistic, and narrative has the potential to inspire change, representing milestones in our shared journey toward equality.

(Source : Where women work: Female-dominated occupations and sectors – ILOSTATilostat.ilo.org )

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