Although the conversation around women and equality has been had over and over again through the years, research shows that progress in equality has not always been the case. According to owlcation.com women through history have gained and lost power at different times, they share, through their research, that progress is not inevitable – we need to take action to ensure women have a life of dignity and fairness.
According to Pew Research Centre women make up only 40% of the workforce in more than 80 countries, from 114 nations with data from 2010 to 2016. Across all of these countries, the median female share of the workforce is 45.4%. And according to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company Organization women account for an average of just 16 per cent of the members of executive teams in the United States, 12 per cent in the United Kingdom, and 6 per cent in Brazil- remaining underrepresented at the top of corporations globally. The number of women in the workforce and the number of seats they hold at the table is not growing quick enough!
A Company Taking Action!
It takes a company like Boston Seaport that will propel female focus in the professional world. Seaport has installed an excellent concept called “She Village” at The Current in Boston.
The Current; She-Village is a pop-up village with a permanent presence just off of bustling Seaport Boulevard. On a rotating basis, it will play host to a different collection of retailers connected by a common theme that changes periodically. She-Village will be the first pop-up village concept inspired to shine a light on the bold and visionary women shaping the future of retail; this mission-driven concept knits together an incredible block party of female-founded and fashion-forward brands that share a common storyline of passion, purpose and empowerment.
More Doors for Women to Walk Through
On average, it takes a woman being asked 14 times before she says yes to an opportunity. We often stand in our own way when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder, starting our own businesses, or taking small risks that could lead to big rewards!
Another company that is taking a big stance on giving females more opportunity and opening more doors for women is General Motors. General Motors operates in a typically male-dominated industry and is paving the path to equality in the automotive sector!
In a recent article The ‘Extra Oomph’ that changed GM, Auto News featured GM’s Mary Barra, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer who is the first female CEO of a major global automaker. Barra also put a female CFO in place at GM, giving female influence a seat at the table.
In her effort to build a strong culture for females in automotive GM has also established the GM’s Women’s Retail Network where women get the exposure they need to get ahead in such a male-dominated industry; opening more door for women to shine.
With concepts like She-village and leaders like Barra at GM; more doors will open for women, so they feel comfortable to say yes, feel supported by other female powerhouses and take the leap they need to close the gap on equality and increase the female influence at the table! The Future is ours; the future is female; if we are willing to grab the opportunities and run with them!