A study by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) reveals that despite increased awareness of the challenges women face in the workplace driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, gender equality is still not one of the top priorities for 70% of global companies, according to business professionals surveyed.

The study also shares the keys to driving a "bold and sustainable change in business, with lessons learned from companies that consider gender inclusion as one of the main business priorities."

The global study “Women, leadership, and missed opportunities”, which follows similar research published in 2019, also shows that gender equality is at a crossroads. Fewer women surveyed hold senior vice president, vice president, director, and manager positions in 2021 than in 2019.

“The data shows that many women leaders are experiencing challenges right now. If these issues are not addressed in greater depth than in previous years, there is a risk that progress will regress even further,” said Bridget van Kralingen, senior vice president of global markets at IBM and senior executive sponsor of the IBM Women's Community. "We must seize creative solutions now and redouble our efforts to bring about meaningful and lasting change that can help all women reach their full potential."

Additionally, the study indicates that employees feel fatigued and less optimistic about ineffective programmatic efforts to address gender equality. Only 62% of female respondents (down 9 percentage points) and 60% of male respondents (down 7 percentage points) expect their organization to significantly improve gender parity in the next five years.

According to the study there is no progress in gender equality

According to the study, more organizations are instituting more programs to improve gender equality and inclusion compared to 2019, such as gender-blind employment exams and parental leave for women. However, that has not translated into better results, in part because mindsets and cultures have not changed enough at the pace of the programs.

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Compared to 2019, for example, fewer respondents from repeated organizations agreed that senior executives openly challenge gender-biased behaviors and language.

The study identified a group of respondents (11%) referred to as “First Movers” or “pioneers” who designate the advancement of women as a formal business priority, see gender inclusion as a driver of performance financially and are highly motivated to take action. Early adopters reported stronger financial performance, up to a 61% higher revenue growth rate compared to other organizations in our study, as well as stronger innovation and higher customer and employee satisfaction.

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A roadmap for sustainable progress

According to the study, there are specific and bold steps organizations can take, following the lead of First Mover organizations, to accelerate progress on gender equality in the workplace. IBM recommends:

Methodology

In this global study, conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value in cooperation with Oxford Economics, more than 2,600 executives, middle managers and professionals (an equal number of women and men) across 10 industries and nine geographic regions were surveyed. It continues a study from 2019, involving 2,300 respondents, representing a similar range of positions, sectors, and regions, to allow for longitudinal analysis.

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