Australia ranks behind 13 other countries in providing women with chances of equal treatment at work, according to The Economist’s 2022 glass-ceiling index (GCI).
The GCI, which annually ranks countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), combines data on higher education, labour-force participation, pay, child care costs, maternity and paternity rights, business school applications and representation in senior jobs. Australia hasn't moved from 14th place in the last 5 years, and while it is not an outlier as it provides federally mandated parental leave, more can and must be done. Significant challenges in Australia include these 3 areas alone:
Seats held by women in national parliament: The number of seats held by women in single or lower chambers of national parliaments, expressed as a percentage of all occupied seats. Seats refer to the number of parliamentary mandates, or the number of members of parliament.
Gender wage gap: The difference between male and female median wages of full-time employees and those self-employed, divided by the male median wage.
Gender gap in time spent doing unpaid work: The difference in time spent in unpaid work between men and women in minutes per day. Unpaid work includes work, such as childcare, meal preparation, and cleaning.'
What can be done about it? The #wbcsd has established the Commission for Reducing Inequality (https://tacklinginequality.org) which is mobilizing the global business community to tackle inequality and generate shared prosperity for all. If you want to know more and can be involved contact us at bcsda@bcsda.org.au