#Balance for Better
The theme for International Women’s Day – #Balanceforbetter. Gender balance is not just a women’s issue – it is a business issue.
The definition of the word balance is even distribution, different elements are equal.
The reality for women is:-
- 208 female members of Parliament – 32% of the House of Commons
- 199 female peers – 24% of the House of Lords
- The UK ranks 15th in the Global Gender Gap Survey
- In the FTSE 100 there are 6 female CEOs
- In the financial sector women earn on average 20% less than men
To understand gender equality I have found an excellent video that is called Gender Equality explained by children. In essence boys and girls do the same job, putting balls into a jar, and yet the boy is rewarded more than the girl. The pay for the job is a jar of sweeties, so initially the children just look at their treat without saying anything. Eventually a girl asks “Why?” and a boy also says “We did the same job” and another boy says “She was as good as me and did not get the same”. The spotlight on the injustice is not lost on the children, and yet today it gets so easily lost.
Why does #Balanceforbetter matter?
- Companies with better gender diversity are 15% more likely to show an increase in financial returns.
- Women represent half the world – therefore half the potential
- Balance matters whether it be gender/skills/knowledge/age
Please do get in touch for ideas around how you can create #balanceforbetter in your organisation.
