50:50 by 2030 – Why Gender Stereotypes Prevent Women from Becoming Leaders

Picture Source: http://blog.mindjet.com/2013/04/gender-equality-and-productivity/

“We have shattered so many glass ceilings we created a carpet of shards. Now we are sweeping away the assumptions and bias of the past so women can advance across new frontiers”. Those were the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for International Women’s Day 2016.

Yet around the world in 2016, in both developing and industrialised countries, there remain barriers to women obtaining leadership roles and overcoming gender stereotypes. With sex discrimination still globally prevalent to varying degrees, few countries are on track to meet their Planet 50:50 by 2030 deadline.

Two decades ago, world leaders agreed to endeavour to have women make up at least 30% of their national legislatures. Among 190 countries who set this target, as of 2015 only 44 legislatures have met it. Rwanda currently has the highest number of females in government. Ireland has one of the lowest rates at just 16%.

The private sector has fared no better. The percentage of businesses with NO women in senior management in 2016 stood at 33%.

A recent global survey by Grant Thornton revealed that in the Asia Pacific, it is the Philippines that has the highest number of women in senior leadership roles. Interestingly, New Zealand had one of the lowest rates, at just 19%. For a country that was a pioneer in granting women the right to vote in 1893, New Zealand has been less than progressive in ensuring gender equality in the workplace. Results from across the board reveal that it is not just the political or economic status of a country that is preventing the advancement of women in leadership.

Some barriers to obtaining leadership roles affect women around the world disproportionately, for example: inequalities in education, the urban-rural divide, armed conflict and HIV/AIDS. There are also many other obstacles that are faced by women globally. These barriers need to be eliminated before full gender equality can be realised.

A joint report, created by the UN and various female equality organisations, has revealed a lack of affirmative action in substantively combatting discrimination and employment inequity. Participants from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States expressed concern that despite the enactment of legislation aimed at promoting gender equality, in reality, gender inequality was still prevalent and/or the legislation remained unenforced in their countries. More needs to be done by all countries by way of measurement and reporting procedures to track the participation and impact of women in leadership positions.

The affordability of childcare and the presence of a significant gender wage gap continue to be significant barriers to women in the workplace. In the absence of institutional arrangements and facilities to support the combination of work-family responsibilities, in countries across the globe, women often select certain types or sectors of work and lower levels of responsibility because it allows them to balance their work and family lives.

One major problem which continues to prevent more women sitting on boards of directors or obtaining senior government positions is the belief in traditional gender roles. Women often feel limited by internalised gender stereotypes and lack the self-confidence to negotiate their employment contracts and rise to the top of their professions. For example, in societies where there are more female legal and medical professionals than men, the “decision-makers” in these sectors remain predominantly male.

To combat and eliminate the ‘internalised oppression’ arising from gender stereotypes, there is a rising demand for employers to implement specific management training, skills training, professional development, decision-making skills and mentorship programs, which enable women to see themselves as effective leaders.

Ultimately, true equality in the workplace cannot be achieved until pre-conceived notions of men as the natural leaders are eradicated. Women are often told to “think like a man” in order to get ahead in their careers. Gender stereotypes will not be abolished until equality is genuinely prioritised and pursued, and women are respected as equals in the workplace. Such an ideal was summed up in the words of Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, who proclaimed:

“I want every little girl who’s told she’s bossy to be told instead she has leadership skills”.