Since 2006, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has tracked gender parity in worldwide economic opportunities, education, health and representation in political leadership. The gender gap is nearly closed for health outcomes and education, says Silja Baller, head of mission, diversity, equity and inclusion at the WEF.

But large gaps remain for economic participation and political representation. “There seems to be a gap between the educational outcomes and how women are faring in the labour market subsequently, ” she says. Women have largely achieved the same education levels that men have, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting their access to jobs. 

There are myriad reasons for the gender gap in leadership – among them, lack of affordable childcare, the so-called “motherhood penalty” and outright discrimination. Women are also gender stereotyped. While women’s performance ratings often exceed men’s, they’re more likely to receive lower ratings for potential. Women tend to doubt their own capabilities, too. According to a 2024 report by executive search firm Russell Reynolds, women who want to climb the ladder are nearly twice as likely as men to believe they’re not qualified for their manager’s job.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240305-womens-corporate-leadership-talent-accelerator-programmes