Today's companies need to do more to empower women to become their own advocates within their organizations. Women take on more responsibility at home and in their careers, but still face challenges in the workplace. Women make up approximately half of the workforce, yet they are still an underrepresented group in executive positions.
Although women are playing an increasingly important role in the workplace, many are not receiving the pay and respect they deserve. There are many reasons for the pay gap, including the fact that women are under-represented in top positions and women are less likely to occupy the top-paying roles.
As such, gender equality remains an area of concern for many, and in order to close the gender gap in the workplace, we need to focus on empowering women and asking them to rise to the occasion. At the same time, it’s essential they receive the support they need in order to do so.
In this article, we hope to shed some light on the situation by offering eight methods for empowering women.
Mentorship
Mentoring is a powerful way to improve the lives of others, and the impact that mentorship can have on a young girl who is trying to make it in the world can be transformational.
One of the most important things a mentor can do for a young woman is to teach her how to survive in the real world. Mentorship is also an important part of finding an identity. While it may not be possible to completely escape the traditional roles that society imposes on women, mentoring can help to free a young woman from those expectations and stereotypes that make her feel limited to what she can accomplish. For women already in the workforce, it can provide them with the support and encouragement they need to advance in their careers.
Listening
Women have a voice in business—it's just too often suppressed. According to research, women are more likely to be interrupted by men. But if every woman who has felt sidelined by a man at work can make a difference, it can change the course of an organization. What’s more, video conferencing has made it even more challenging for women to get their voices heard. This issue can be combated by giving every employee the equal attention they deserve.
Offer Promotions
Women are still noticeably underrepresented as managers, executives, and other leadership positions. This is a problem that is well-known and well-documented. In the U.S., women make up just 25% of C-suite roles. Organizations that promote women to leadership positions send out the right message: that they believe in their capabilities.
Role Model
Gender gaps may be a result of overt and covert acts of discrimination, but they can also come from the ways we talk about women in the workplace. Women and men have the power to change the conversation and make sexism and discrimination history. When you show and encourage women that they are capable of being leaders in your company, you're also showing them that they can be soldiers in the workforce.
Address the Wage Gap
With more women in the workforce than ever, there's arguably never been a more impactful time to advocate for equal pay. But so far, the movement has been slow to take hold, and it's clear that it needs to go much further. On average, women still earn, on average, only 82 cents to every dollar a man makes, according to a new report by the American Association of University Women. Organizations need to ensure that employees with equal experience and positions are receiving the same amount of pay, regardless of gender.
Offer Fair Parental Leave Policies
An increasing number of employers are finding that flexible working arrangements are crucial for new parents, and that new mothers and fathers should be given the support to make those working arrangements work. Fair parental leave policies ensure that both parents to not have to sacrifice their career for parenthood.
Present Opportunities for Women
Men are given opportunities based on potential, and women are given opportunities based on how experienced they are. Rather than continue this trend, organizations should provide women who exhibit the same potential with these opportunities. When a position becomes available, considering women for the position not only shows that your organization values diversity but also shows that you're open to a range of people who might not be traditionally represented in that field. It's not just about making the workplace more diverse, but about making sure that anyone with the potential to excel at the role receives the opportunity, regardless of gender.
Eliminate Gender Bias
Research shows that men and women expect different things from their work environments and jobs, and this differing outlook is largely due to gender bias. While the thinking is that women are expected to perform many of the tasks involved in office work, men are often placed in leadership roles. It’s about raising awareness and getting people to understand that removing gender bias empowers women in the workplace.
Benefits of a Diverse Workforce
Most people agree that diversity is an important part of any team. For instance, a diverse workforce can be more innovative, productive, and inclusive. But diversity isn't just good in theory. It matters in practice, too. In fact, it's good business. Research has shown that companies with leadership that embrace cultural diversity are more likely to have high-performing teams. And that's good for all employees.
The benefits of a diverse workforce are clear: diversity enriches a company’s culture and provides its members with a different set of perspectives, which is what makes a diverse team great. But what's more important is that a diverse team is a more productive one. In fact, diversity of thought can actually speed up the decision-making process and improve team problem-solving skills. That's why companies like Intel, Google, and Microsoft, among many others, have decided to create a more diverse workforce, including supporting females in the workplace.
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