Now, in response to those findings, a new report released by the consultancy EY on Friday claims that this glacial rate of change — four generations away from today — can be accelerated and the 60% gender gap for what it calls "economic participation and opportunity worldwide" closed more quickly.
In fact, according to EY, there are three clear steps that organizations can take to help accelerate gender equality.
The findings of the report 'Women. Fast forward: The time for gender parity is now' are briefly summarized below:
1) Illuminate the path to leadership
"Good opportunities for progression are considered a top enabler by men (26%) and women (35%), suggesting that organizations must work harder to make the path ahead clearer to women, demonstrate what is possible and show them career opportunities that match their skills and ambition."
2) Speed up culture change with corporate policy change
"The twin enablers of work/life balance and flexibility are high on the women's list of accelerators. From its own experience and what the high-performer responses suggest, EY (finds that) informal flexibility for both men and women is highly effective in helping all employees balance their personal and professional lives."
4) Establish a supportive environment
"Firms should work to eliminate conscious and unconscious bias. Men cited unconscious bias as the number one barrier for women in the workplace. Twenty-seven percent of men said that in their own experiences having a supportive culture is the best way to support women's career advancement. To advance women, EY recommends that leaders must spread an organization-wide message that bias is unacceptable."
