“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai
I remember distinctly the day I discovered what gender inequality meant. I was 12.
I was sitting in my Grade 6 classroom, listening to my teacher (Mr. Leonard) explain that men are paid more for doing the exact same work as women. Same job, same hours, same output.
Stunned, I raised my hand and asked why. He apologetically answered, “I don’t know – it’s just the way it is.”
I was stung by the unfairness, and by my misfortune at having been born female…I went home thinking I didn’t want to be a girl if this was the way the world worked.
Since then, I’ve thankfully gained an appreciation for the many gifts of being a woman, although I continue to be shocked by the lingering inequality.
International Women’s Day is on March 8, and the theme for 2025 is: “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.”
We may think we don’t need to still talk about this, that the gender gap has been resolved, but sadly it has not. According to the Global Gender Gap Report (a study of 146 countries), the gender gap is still only 68.5% closed as of 2024. This means women still have 31.5% less access globally to healthcare, education, financial resources and positions of leadership & influence.
Women still don’t make as much as men for the exact same work. We still don’t have the same access to economic funding, education, or positions of leadership. And our healthcare system is still way behind in studying the female body and women’s health issues. Based on current data from the World Economic Forum, it is estimated that it will take 134 years to reach full parity!
Gender equality may seem like a woman’s issue, but it’s not. Closing the gender gap benefits everyone. If you’re a guy, you undoubtedly have women in your life who are important to you – your wife, daughter, mother, sister, niece. Them earning more and having equal opportunity and rights benefits your family and community.
The rise of women is not about the fall of men…it’s about equality and prosperity for all. And men have an important role to play in gender equality: we need men to take a stand for us and advocate for equality, so that we can create a fair and just society where everyone can thrive.
The gender equality gap: Where we currently stand
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens.” — Michelle Obama
Despite progress in recent decades, significant gaps remain in achieving gender equality.
Here are some key statistics that illustrate the ongoing challenges:
Pay gap: The gender pay gap persists, with women earning approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This gap is even wider for women of colour, who face compounded discrimination in the workplace. (Source: US Census Bureau, 2021)
Leadership positions: Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, and hold only 29% of senior management positions globally. (Source: Grant Norton International Business Report, 2022)
Political influence: Gender parity in parliamentary representation globally is still only at 33%. (Source: Global Gender Gap Report, 2024)
Workforce representation: Women’s workforce representation remains below men’s across nearly every industry and economy, with women accounting for 42% of the global workforce. In particular, women remain under-represented in STEM roles, making up only 28% of the STEM workforce. (Source: Global Gender Gap Report, 2024)
Toxic workplace culture: Research indicates that women are 41% more likely to experience toxic workplace cultures than men. (Source: MIT Management Review, 2023)
Women’s health: For much of medical history, women were excluded from clinical trials and research studies. As a result of this male-centric research approach, there is a significant gap in our understanding of female biology, which has led to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment for conditions that predominantly affect women. (Source: Association of American Medical Colleges, 2024)
For an eye-opening look at pay inequity, check out this viral video created in Norway for International Women’s Rights Day in 2018. What is heart-warming is seeing that kids intuitively understand this is wrong.
Why gender equality still matters (and benefits all)
“When women are empowered, they make an incredible impact on the world.” — Reese Witherspoon
Studies show that gender equality can significantly boost economic growth. Closing the gender gap in labour force participation could add $12 trillion to global GDP. (Source: MIT Management Review, 2023)
Gender equality also contributes to better health outcomes for all. When women have equal access to healthcare, education, and economic resources, their physical and mental health improves, and families and communities thrive.
Finally, gender equality empowers both women and men to pursue their dreams and aspirations without the constraints of gender-based stereotypes. When everyone has equal access to opportunities, we unlock the full potential of our society.
What we can do to accelerate gender equality
“Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone’s responsibility.” — Ban Ki-moon
Here are some empowering steps anyone can take to accelerate action for gender equality:
Speak up: We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, and draw attention to bias. Don’t sit silent if you see a woman being treated unfairly. Use your voice to advocate for women being treated with respect, fairness and kindness.
Advocate for equal pay: Support policies and practices in your workplace that promote equal pay for equal work. Encourage transparency in salary discussions within organizations.
Promote inclusive workplaces: Help create inclusive workplace cultures that respect and value diversity. This includes addressing toxic workplace behaviors and fostering a sense of belonging for all employees.
Support women in leadership: Encourage and mentor women to take on leadership roles. Representation matters, and having diverse voices in decision-making processes leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Educate and raise awareness: Like and share information about gender equality and its importance within your community. Education is a powerful tool for change.
Achieving full gender equality requires collective effort and commitment. By recognizing the gaps that still exist and taking actionable steps to address them, we can create a more equitable world for future generations.
So let’s celebrate the progress already made, and continue to strive for a society where everyone—regardless of gender—can prosper.
xo Karen
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