Gender Situation (more on Australian story cont.)
Better Performance
Research has shown that
“...profitability, performance and productivity increase under female leadership...... female leadership will help businesses thrive in a post-covid-19 world......An increase of 10 percentage points or more in female representation on the boards of ASX companies has led to a 4.9% increase in companies’ market value; worth the equivalent of $A 78.5 m. for the average company. It also translated into a 6% increase in the likelihood of a company outperforming its peers in three or more metrics…”
Bankwest Curtin Economics Center and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as quoted by Kate Hadwen, 2024
Furthermore, in organizations with a higher percentage of women, all employees (male and female) reported
“...- more job satisfaction
- more organizational dedication
- more meaningful work
- greater employee engagement and retention
- more opportunity to make a difference
- less burn-out…”
Centre for Creative Leadership as quoted by Kate Hadwen, 2024
This means that gender balance and inclusivity are good for business.
However, there is more potential to be unlocked in this area and that process will challenge many social norms about gender roles.
General Comments
Women are working to redefine how men think and act towards women, rejecting societal body image pressures and calling for considered action on reproductive, mental and broader health challenges that were once taboo.
More work needs to be done on institutionalizing the gains made from parental leave and recent social policies that support work-life balance, such as working from home.
“...In short, the place of educated women in Australian Society is not yet assured…”’
Melinda Graham has quoted by Barbara Cossman, 2024
There are still systematic barriers and unconscious bias that are significant factors in gender bias, especially in male-dominated industries.
“...while social expectations around women's responsibilities for care and household work remain entrenched, women's full participation in the economy and in workplaces remains undermined. This is compounded by a lack of financial independence which undermines many of the inequalities women continue to face……women with financial resources are better able to escape violent relationships, less likely to experience poverty and more likely to enjoy a secure retirement. When women are given the education, tools and resources to enable them to be economically independent everyone benefits. We have a more stable society, a greater spread of wealth, improve productivity in the workplace and the economies can grow…”
Simone Clarke quote quoted by Barbara Cossman, 2024
Need to create
“...a pathway for future women leaders……means continuing to ensure the success of women requires strong leadership and a commitment to change……this means creating the right environment for women to thrive…..while capable women are attracted to leadership roles, We need to start doing something very different to keep them there and to ensure there is a diversity of the type of women who apply for such roles……Need to teach young women and girls about their talent and ability to contribute, and to have the courage and determination to achieve all they aspire to do……continue to support and encourage male allyship in the workplace…”
Tanya Monro as quoted by Alexandra Cain, 2024
Women needed to continue to learn and grow by facing challenges and broadening their experience, so that they will become more effective.
“...Say yes, then figure out how to do it……the more you say yes to the weird and wonderful, the more you are building hard knowledge like expertise and soft knowledge. This is the ability to learn, to challenge yourself, be calm and think strategically about how can you tackle an issue. The idea is to broaden your horizons, the people you meet and the networks and connections you create. All this makes up the important fabric that will take you to the next step of leadership…”
Diaswati Mardiasmo as quoted by Alexandra Cain, 2024