What will it take to close the gender gap before 2154?

The journey towards gender equality has been a long and enduring one. While organized efforts for women’s rights began in the 19th century, the struggle for equality predates that by centuries. And yet there is still much work to be done. 

Let’s look at some eye-opening data.  

With progress slowing, the World Economic Forum predicts it will take 131 years to reach gender parity. The Sustainable Development Goals report for 2023 is even bleaker. It predicts that women are currently 140 years away from achieving equal representation of women in positions of power and leadership in the workplace. Moreover, at the current pace, it will take us 286 years to eliminate discriminatory laws against women, 47 years to attain equal representation in parliamentary positions, and a staggering 300 years to end child marriage. These figures are not specific to India; they are universal and reflect the global struggle for gender equality. 

So, what can we as a society do to turn aspirations of gender equality into a concrete reality? Empower women to speak up for themselves. 

To really make a difference, society needs to tackle gender inequality like the crisis it is, argues Preeti D’mello, Chief Diversity Officer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Being a part of this societal system, whether at home, within our families, or in the workplace, means it’s time for women to step up and play their roles in leveling the playing field by actively working to bring about change, she says.  

One of the most significant levers we can use to close the gender gap faster is promoting the education of women. There has been remarkable progress, particularly in India, which has obtained parity in enrollment across all education levels, according to the WEF Gender Gap report 2023.  However, it’s not just about education; it’s also about empowering women to speak up for themselves. “This is a powerful lever for change, and a starting point for the broader transformation that’s needed,” says D’mello. 

Elevate more women to leadership positions 

Another driver for gender parity is employment. If nearly 50% of the population are women, this should be reflected in the make-up of a company’s workforce, says Nitu Bhushan, CHRO, Pernod Ricard, South Asia, who oversees the company’s human resources and talent management.  

This is not only good for women, but good for business since diverse teams perform better. Organizations need to create genuine change rather than making token gestures, she says.