Promoting gender equality in the workplace: A global challenge

Despite strides in terms of legislation and global promises for gender parity, women worldwide encounter substantial hurdles in the job arena. A recent opinion piece from UN Women titled “Improving women’s access to decent jobs” delves into these hurdles, emphasizing the urgency for united efforts to secure fair opportunities for women in decent employment. Let’s delve into the highlights of gender equality in the workplace for 2024.

Key figures for gender equality in the workplace in 2024

Despite progress made in recent years, women still face various forms of discrimination and obstacles that hinder their access to employment and advancement opportunities in their careers.

Employment access statistics

• 15% of working-age women worldwide desire employment but are unemployed, compared to 10.5% of men.
• This gap widens in low-income countries, where 24.9% of women are unemployed compared to 16.6% of men.

Rights and opportunities

• Women only hold 64% of the legal rights granted to men, limiting their access to work and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• On average, women are paid 20% less than men for equivalent work.
• Only 26% of women worldwide have access to social protection, such as social security benefits.

Entrepreneurship:

• Male-owned businesses outnumber female-owned ones by 32%.
• The gap between men and women aspiring to start a business is 20%.

The informal economy and poverty:

• Nearly 60% of working women globally operate in the informal economy, exceeding 90% in low-income countries.
• One in ten women lives in extreme poverty, and over 340 million women and girls could fall into extreme poverty by 2030.

Transition to a green economy:

• It’s estimated that 80% of new jobs created through the transition away from fossil fuels will be in male-dominated sectors.

Investment required:

• An additional $360 billion per year is needed to achieve key gender equality objectives in developing countries.

Challenges for female entrepreneurs

A central issue highlighted in this editorial is the enduring gender pay gap. Despite legal measures against wage discrimination, women still earn less than men for comparable roles. This global wage disparity, averaging 20%, is particularly glaring for women juggling family responsibilities.

Obstacles to female entrepreneurship

Additionally, women encounter a series of obstacles when attempting to pursue entrepreneurship. They are outnumbered by men in this field, and those who venture into it often face additional challenges. Typically, their businesses are smaller and less lucrative than those owned by men, and they tend to focus on domestic markets rather than expanding internationally.

Recognizing the key role of the care system

Another crucial aspect addressed in the editorial is the essential role of care systems in promoting gender equality. The majority of care work, whether for children, the elderly, or sick family members, is performed by women and girls, often unpaid. This unpaid caregiving limits their ability to fully participate in economic and social life.

Priority action areas

In response to these challenges, UN Women proposes three priority action areas supported by data:

1. Ensuring decent jobs and equitable entrepreneurial opportunities for women
2. Transforming care systems
3. Investing in gender-responsive and just transitions towards more sustainable economies

Conclusion

It is becoming increasingly urgent for governments, businesses, and civil society to work together to eliminate barriers to gender equality in the workplace. By investing in women’s economic empowerment, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

[Source: Op-ed: Improving women’s access to decent jobs – https://www.unwomen.org/en]