Women empowerment at the workplace
Picture
1
Different gender inequality among countries
Graph
1 Different gender inequality among countries.
Source
(ILO, 2016)
Women’s economic opportunities in the workplace have evolved in the world in the last decade, But according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) research in 2015, the female labor force participation rates are disproportionately low especially in the Arab States and Southern Asia. The gap between men and women was found more than 50% unalike the other regions like South-Eastern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Pacific Island Countries, which almost reach gender balance in the labor market. Aside from the lower participation of labor, it turns out that women are likely to be unemployed in certain subregions (ILO, 2016).
The role of the corporate culture towards women equality
As one of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, gender equality demands women empowerment, especially at the workplace. In order to achieve gender equality in the workplace, corporate cultures have become one of the pioneer roles, especially at leadership levels. The culture here is related to enterprise towards gender equality policies and programs that need to be concrete and specific. It may be necessary to treat some populations differently, They should be examined and revised on a regular basis to ensure that they remain suitable and effective in an ever-changing environment (ILO, 2020).
Picture 2 (Jayawardena, 2020)
There
are some companies like the apparel industry that have initiated women
empowerment programs like MAS Holdings and Gap Inc. Even though women often
represent the majority of the apparel sector, few of them have the opportunity
to rise to higher positions or access education or skill training. MAS Holdings
has launched MAS Women Go Beyond (WGB) as their women empowerment program which
aims to raise the standard of the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Women
empowerment became a special focus element of MAS business strategy with the
establishment of four success pillars as Career Advancement, Work-Life Balance,
Skills Development, and Rewarding Excellence. MAS holdings are essentially
concerned with increasing knowledge, awareness, leadership skills, behavioral
changes, and the opportunity to have a well-rounded and holistic living
experience for their workers
Picture 3
Besides
MAS holdings, other enterprises such as Gap Inc. also have their women
empowerment program that was named Personal Advancement & Career
Enhancement (P.A.C.E.). This program was launched in 2007 which also has a goal
to support women in the apparel industry. P.A.C.E. was created to provide women
with the life skills, technical training, and support that will help them
progress in their job or their personal life
Conclusion
Gender equality is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 that need to be a concern, especially in the workplace. The gender gap issues could be solved by the initiation of women empowerment policies or programs in the company. These things surely need to be supported by company members especially all leadership levels. MAS holdings and Gap Inc. are two companies that have developed a comprehensive woman empowerment program to support women in apparel industries.
References
ILO
(2016) ‘Gender equality in the labour market in Asia and the Pacific and the
Arab States’, pp. 1–8. Available at: https://www.ilo.org/asia/publications/WCMS_534371/lang--en/index.htm.
International
Labour Organization (2020) Empowering Women at Work.
Jayawardena,
T. (2020) MAS Holdings Doubles its Empowerment Commitment to the UN
Foundation in the midst of COVID-19. Available at: https://apnews.com/press-release/globe-newswire/virus-outbreak-personnel-business-asia-sex-in-society-ced836ed4758480cfd5fc8bd7ae87104
(Accessed: 15 August 2021).
GapInc, 2021. Gap Inc. [Online]
Available at: https://www.gapinc.com/en-us/values/sustainability/people/p-a-c-e-empowering-women
[Accessed 16 August 2021].
MASholdings,
2021. MAS holdings. [Online]
Available at: https://www.masholdings.com/women-go-beyond.html#women-go-beyond
[Accessed 16 August 2021].
Empowerment of women is clearly important when it comes to some business streams. As you discussed in the article Apperal industry is amongst them. You have discussed the importance of women empowerment nicely and I personally appreciate for picking this topic.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep,
ReplyDeleteThis is a timely required topic to be discussed. Because, now the most of the societies promote and progress some positive discussion about the gender equality. The word "Women Empowerment", can interpret like giving excessive power and authority to the women in the society. But the real meaning behind on this is to empower them to stand proudly in front of the nation and the society.
Also it's important that to strengthen their mindset and thinking pattern that they also play a key role in the competitive modern world. Actually, understanding and discussing about the best gender equilibrium in the society is equally important in a current environment.
Important topic. When the company empower women in the workplace, they allow them to have more control over their careers. By investing in training, mentoring, equality programs, education grants, and promotion into senior-level positions, they ensure their career growth, which is essential to creating long-term employees..
ReplyDeleteEmpowering women in the workplace means that women can take control of their lives. This means giving them the freedom to make their own plans, acquire new skills, and gain independence. Empowerment of women is created when the power to bring women into the workplace is embraced and used.
ReplyDeleteThe social and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic threatening progress for gender equality. Businesses play a critical role in a
ReplyDeletegender-responsive recovery.
The private sector must ammend policies that support women’s unique needs and ensure their voices are included in leadership and decision-making at all levels as we rebuild better societies.
Very important topic Pradeep. Almost all the developed economies follow this. Empowering women in the workplace is the best way to give them more control over their profession. By investing in training, mentoring, equality programs, education scholarships, and promotion to positions of responsibility, you can ensure your professional development, which is critical to long-term employee development. However, in order to empower them HR has a vital role to play.
ReplyDeleteTo entice more women into the workforce, the first step is to empower those who are already there. When women are empowered, they become highly motivated employees who form positive relationships and make strategic decisions that affect your bottom line. Women's empowerment has no definite definition, although it can be defined as proactively seeking ways to assist and integrate women's demands on economic, social, political, and psychological levels.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep it is very important topic, I believe that, Empowering women at the workplace means that women can have more control over their lives. Here are a few ways you can empower women in your company.
ReplyDelete• Find ways to amplify a woman's voice
• Divide leadership by encouraging women
• Establish policies to improve gender equality
• Equal pay for equal work and experience
• Appropriate parental leave policy
• Participate in extracurricular activities that empower women
Leaders today recognize the value of empowering women at work. The benefits are well-documented, including increased productivity and profits.. Empower women by demonstrating their value in the overall structure. Women should also be able to improve their skills. A diverse workforce helps the company innovate and perform better. A Diversity Committee facilitates workplace conversations about identity, power, and privilege.
ReplyDeleteA timely topic, particularly in the Asian region. Is it possible for Asian women to use their abilities? What do we see in Sri Lanka? Or do we believe that women have the same opportunities as men? These are issues that should discuss in depth. We discuss a woman's strength and the importance of providing equal opportunity in the workplace. I believe that giving equal priority and power will result in a strong workforce.
ReplyDelete