First published on LinkedIn.
The summer is flying by! This month, I asked you all about female representation among leadership in your organization and many of you were quick to respond! While this poll surveyed a small segment of workers in America, it reflects a larger pattern of how the workplace is shifting for women.
Here are some more numbers behind women's equality:
108 – the number of years it will take to bridge the gender gap.
23.7% – the percentage of female representation in national parliaments.
2.24 – the number of men for every female character in films.
6 – the number of countries that give women equal work rights as men.
Almost 4 years since #TimesUp disrupted the status quo and with today's changing landscape, I can't help but wonder about the progress of these numbers. There is so much work ahead of us and it can feel daunting - or even discouraging - but change is possible and it starts with one individual.
My clients are always asking me "Dr. Session, how do you stay sane & keep up your energy?!" I'll let you in on a secret – we're ALL struggling and it's okay to pause and reflect. It's important to intentionally acknowledge the 'wins' so we can continue to highlight disparities.
August 26 is Women's Equality Day and in the U.S., this special day commemorates the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote. I recommend subscribing to the newsletter, The 19th, which reports on the intersection of gender, politics & policy. What is your organization doing to honor the women who came before us?
Showcase the women in your leadership team. How can an organization increase representation in an effective way? The female leaders are role models for future leaders. Mentorship and sponsorship are one of the best ways to retain top talent. Have them share their experience and be transparent about what it took for them to get there.
Embrace remote/hybrid work. Companies became more diverse when they embraced remote work but only 52% of women have been offered opportunities to work remotely compared to 61% of men. That number gets slimmer as we look at the LGBTQ+ community and the Intersectionality of identities, which prompts a larger workplace discussion – are the needs of all your employees being met?
Support women-owned businesses. There's more you can do than just supporting as a consumer. Can you diversify your organization's list of suppliers? Also consider inviting female thought leaders and entrepreneurs as a speaker guest!
Voting matters. Finally, there is no better way to implement change at a high level than to vote! People are 76% more likely to work for and 81% buy from organizations that give them time off to vote.
**ALSO, be sure to take my LinkedIn Learning course Uncovering Unconscious Bias in Recruiting & Interviewing FOR FREE from August 10th - September 8th on LinkedIn Learning Path.
Until next month... Be well and stay safe & healthy!
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