Tag: gender diversity

As we celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, this is a time to reflect on the pivotal role male allies can play in amplifying women’s voices in the workplace, particularly in leadership roles.

A world in which women thrive is a better world. Although gender inequality remains rife globally, significant strides are being made on one of society’s most influential platforms: the boardrooms of big businesses. There is consensus that change in workplaces in Africa and around the world generally start at the top, at board level.

Kamala Harris. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. These are some of the well-known names of women who have become beacons of hope for what is possible. Yet, many women continue to face steeper challenges in society, and this has become even more evident due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite a number of studies confirming that gender-diverse companies perform better, gender equality and lack of inclusiveness remain a paramount issue in the IT world, and women are still significantly underrepresented in tech. Even though the situation is improving, the gender gap in the IT industry is still prominent.

In recognition to International Women’s Day today, I share my thoughts on the impact of COVID-19 on women; and how we are learning and evolving as a result. The McKinsey Women in Work 2020 Report indicated that 1 in 4 American women consider downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce. As the report states – the 'double-shift' that women have already been working has become even more intense.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021, #ChooseToChallenge, is a call for all women to become aware of our responsibility to ourselves and others, in our thoughts and deeds every day. Especially, it is a call to challenge gender bias, inequality and abuse.

In the run-up to International Women’s Day (8 March) it’s important to note that while half of the South African population and 45% of the employed workforce are female, only 20% of directors of JSE-listed companies are women. New report recommends voluntary target of 30% female board members.

Corporate South Africa has made strides in recent history to be more inclusive of formerly marginalised groups in an effort to rectify the disparity of the past and be more diverse, including in the executive decision-making tiers. But the retirement of Maria Ramos, the last remaining woman CEO in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange top 40 listed companies earlier this year, illustrated that we are not making the progress we thought we were on gender parity.