You might think gender inequality in the workplace is a thing of the past. But, it’s still prevalent in many companies today.

Gender equality is about treating people fairly, no matter what gender they are, and it is a fundamental human right.

Gender equality is necessary to enable a harmonious, successful and sustainable workplace. When you ensure gender equality, you make sure employees won’t face any sort of prejudice or intolerance because of their gender, and that everyone can come to work and feel safe, respected and able to do their job, without fear of discrimination.

Yes! There are many different forms of gender inequality still occurring in the workplace, including:

Undoubtedly, progress has been made in the last few decades, but we’re not on track to achieve worldwide gender equality anytime soon. For example, women are still drastically underrepresented in leadership roles. In fact, only 10% of the Fortune 500 CEOs are women.

Of course, it’s not just the gender inequalities between men and women that should be considered. It’s important to think about the rights of any transgendered, gender fluid or non-binary people in your organization too.

busting the myths and creating gender equality

Unfortunately, many myths and falsehoods support biases and inequality.

For example, if a woman doesn’t yet have children, it shouldn’t be assumed that she’s planning to start a family. And, even if she is, that doesn’t mean she’ll contribute less once she has kids or that she should be treated any differently to her male equivalent.

There are many other myths and biases – conscious and unconscious – that are regularly leveraged to justify discriminating against women, and none of them are valid.

women want to work for companies that support and promote them

Most women don’t want to settle for working somewhere that doesn’t value the importance of an equitable, supportive and inclusive workplace. Consequently, companies that don’t take action and strive for gender equality risk losing their current and their next generation of female leaders.

what does gender equality look like at work?

As a business, it’s important to demonstrate equal treatment of everyone within your organization, no matter what gender they are. This includes:

Equal pay and benefits for comparable roles

Equal opportunities for progression and promotion

Creating gender equality in your organization is an important step toward establishing an inclusive work culture where your employees can thrive and their achievements are celebrated, regardless of their gender.

Gender equality requires formal policies and informal practices. And, gender equality must be promoted and demonstrated from the top down.

how can you celebrate Gender Equality Month at work

Gender Equality Month takes place every March and is an opportunity to celebrate the social, political, cultural and academic achievements of women throughout the world.

Gender Equality Month is also a chance to raise awareness against gender bias in society and help eradicate those biases by educating employees on the indispensable role women play at work, in their homes, in their communities and throughout society.

There are many ways you can celebrate Gender Equality Month in your workplace. Here are a handful of suggestions:

1. Highlight the amazing stories of the women in your organization

Publicly demonstrate your appreciation for the achievements of your female employees and the hard work they put into the business. For women in your company who have worked their way up to senior roles, create case studies to highlight their career paths and inspire other women to do the same and find similar success.

Note: A picture of all your women leaders posted on social media is not the same as amplifying the impressive stories of your women.

Encourage your employees to learn about the extensive and complex history of the struggle for equality. Share stories about the sacrifices and struggles of marginalized groups and the key milestones they reached on the way to gaining gender equality.

Consider bringing a class on gender equity to your team, or inject some fun into the holiday by creating a quiz on gender equality and important achievements contributed by women.

3. Encourage more conversations about gender equality

It’s likely you have a wealth of experience among your employees when it comes to encounters of gender bias and discrimination. So, use these experiences in a positive way by creating a safe space and encouraging more conversations about equality.

Uncomfortable conversations are an important step in improving gender equality, because people need to learn from one another’s experiences to understand the challenges they’ve faced.

Gender equality requires action, and that includes pay parity. Use this year’s Gender Equality Month to conduct a compensation audit and make adjustments, if needed.

Pay parity is a great retention tool, because pay parity shows that you’re prioritizing equality. And though publicity should not be the primary reason to create pay parity, many companies have benefitted publicly by creating pay parity.

5. Educate people about the importance of gender equality

Electives classes are a great way to raise awareness of gender inequality and inspire action. Electives instructors are real people sharing life experiences that encourage people to have open conversations and share and embrace their differences so others can learn.

Are you looking for ways to create greater understanding of gender equality throughout your company?

The Electives Library of Live Learning is stocked with classes that are inclusive, experiential, impactful and unforgettable, including these classes designed to help promote gender equality in the workplace:

Gender Equality Post Roe vs Wade: Reflections, implications, and actions

A Conversation about Gender Equity: Making a difference together – a guided conversation on gender equity issues

A League of Your Own: Empowering life lessons from pioneering women in baseball

Gender Identity in the Workplace: Demystifying transgender and non-binary people

How to Talk about Gender: Learn the concepts and terminology to have challenging and important conversations

(Trans)Gender History: Looking at gender expressions through the ages

Click here to search the Electives Library of Live Learning.

You might think gender inequality in the workplace is a thing of the past. But, it’s still prevalent in many companies today.
what is gender equality?
Gender equality is about treating people fairly, no matter what gender they are, and it is a fundamental human right.

Gender equality is necessary to enable a harmonious, successful and sustainable workplace. When you ensure gender equality, you make sure employees won’t face any sort of prejudice or intolerance because of their gender, and that everyone can come to work and feel safe, respected and able to do their job, without fear of discrimination.
does gender inequality still exist?
Yes! There are many different forms of gender inequality still occurring in the workplace, including:
Sexual harassment
Bullying because of gender
Pay differences
Pregnancy discrimination
Maternity discrimination
Undoubtedly, progress has been made in the last few decades, but we’re not on track to achieve worldwide gender equality anytime soon. For example, women are still drastically underrepresented in leadership roles. In fact, only 10% of the Fortune 500 CEOs are women.

Of course, it’s not just the gender inequalities between men and women that should be considered. It’s important to think about the rights of any transgendered, gender fluid or non-binary people in your organization too.
busting the myths and creating gender equality
Unfortunately, many myths and falsehoods support biases and inequality.

For example, if a woman doesn’t yet have children, it shouldn’t be assumed that she’s planning to start a family. And, even if she is, that doesn’t mean she’ll contribute less once she has kids or that she should be treated any differently to her male equivalent.

There are many other myths and biases – conscious and unconscious – that are regularly leveraged to justify discriminating against women, and none of them are valid.
women want to work for companies that support and promote them
Most women don’t want to settle for working somewhere that doesn’t value the importance of an equitable, supportive and inclusive workplace. Consequently, companies that don’t take action and strive for gender equality risk losing their current and their next generation of female leaders.
what does gender equality look like at work?
As a business, it’s important to demonstrate equal treatment of everyone within your organization, no matter what gender they are. This includes:
Equal pay and benefits for comparable roles
Equal consideration of needs
Equal opportunities for progression and promotion
Creating gender equality in your organization is an important step toward establishing an inclusive work culture where your employees can thrive and their achievements are celebrated, regardless of their gender.

Gender equality requires formal policies and informal practices. And, gender equality must be promoted and demonstrated from the top down.
how can you celebrate Gender Equality Month at work
Gender Equality Month takes place every March and is an opportunity to celebrate the social, political, cultural and academic achievements of women throughout the world.

Gender Equality Month is also a chance to raise awareness against gender bias in society and help eradicate those biases by educating employees on the indispensable role women play at work, in their homes, in their communities and throughout society.
There are many ways you can celebrate Gender Equality Month in your workplace. Here are a handful of suggestions:
1. Highlight the amazing stories of the women in your organization
Publicly demonstrate your appreciation for the achievements of your female employees and the hard work they put into the business. For women in your company who have worked their way up to senior roles, create case studies to highlight their career paths and inspire other women to do the same and find similar success.

Note: A picture of all your women leaders posted on social media is not the same as amplifying the impressive stories of your women.

2. Read up about the equality struggle
Encourage your employees to learn about the extensive and complex history of the struggle for equality. Share stories about the sacrifices and struggles of marginalized groups and the key milestones they reached on the way to gaining gender equality.

Consider bringing a class on gender equity to your team, or inject some fun into the holiday by creating a quiz on gender equality and important achievements contributed by women.

3. Encourage more conversations about gender equality
It’s likely you have a wealth of experience among your employees when it comes to encounters of gender bias and discrimination. So, use these experiences in a positive way by creating a safe space and encouraging more conversations about equality.

Uncomfortable conversations are an important step in improving gender equality, because people need to learn from one another’s experiences to understand the challenges they’ve faced.

4. Conduct a compensation audit
Gender equality requires action, and that includes pay parity. Use this year’s Gender Equality Month to conduct a compensation audit and make adjustments, if needed.

Pay parity is a great retention tool, because pay parity shows that you’re prioritizing equality. And though publicity should not be the primary reason to create pay parity, many companies have benefitted publicly by creating pay parity.

5. Educate people about the importance of gender equality
Electives classes are a great way to raise awareness of gender inequality and inspire action. Electives instructors are real people sharing life experiences that encourage people to have open conversations and share and embrace their differences so others can learn.
Are you looking for ways to create greater understanding of gender equality throughout your company?
Contact the Electives team for ideas.

The Electives Library of Live Learning is stocked with classes that are inclusive, experiential, impactful and unforgettable, including these classes designed to help promote gender equality in the workplace:
What is Gender: And why it matters
Gender Equality Post Roe vs Wade: Reflections, implications, and actions
A Conversation about Gender Equity: Making a difference together – a guided conversation on gender equity issues
A League of Your Own: Empowering life lessons from pioneering women in baseball
Gender Identity in the Workplace: Demystifying transgender and non-binary people
How to Talk about Gender: Learn the concepts and terminology to have challenging and important conversations
(Trans)Gender History: Looking at gender expressions through the ages
Click here to search the Electives Library of Live Learning.

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Gender Equality Month takes place every March and is an opportunity to celebrate the social, political, cultural and academic achievements of women throughout the world. 


promoting gender equality in the workplace

Tue Jan 17 2023

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