Working for gender parity

The World Economic Forum predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then a year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t close entirely until 2133.

The Women’s Business Council suggests that the UK’s future growth and prosperity depends on maximising women’s contribution to the economy; estimating that equalising women’s productivity and employment to that of men’s could be worth up to £23 billion to our economy each year (‘Two Years On’ report July 2015).

Research carried out by feminist charity the Fawcett Society to mark its 150th anniversary found that 70% of men believe gender equality would be better for the UK economy. Gender parity is linked to prosperity and so is an economic imperative. Women’s advancement and leadership are central to business performance and economic prosperity. Profitability, ROI and innovation all increase when women are counted among senior leadership.