Women are powering progress in every field, yet there is an ongoing struggle for gender parity in the workplace.
Statistically proven, women have great leadership potential, but the gender gap and long years of strategic suppression have caused an experience gap in work.
That's where a need for a structured Learning and Development program arises, guiding and supporting women throughout their careers. With a strategized learning system aimed to equip women with skillsets to perform and deliver at work, women would stand a great chance to lead and be represented without biases.
The UN Women report says less than 1% of women live in a country with high women's empowerment and gender parity.
Meaning, that most women don't know what gender parity feels like. At work, this can feel like facing microaggression by peers and seniors and unconscious biases that disrupt your career growth and learning.
A lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women sums up why there is little scope for women to hold top positions in companies. To further illustrate the problem, it is not the glass ceiling but the broken-rung barrier that is the major cause for holding back women's opportunities at work.
What does a broken rung mean for women? It means women are unable to attain entry-level managerial roles because of unconscious biases, cultural stereotypes, and more.
Unconscious biases are generic perceptions people build with experience or age. For women at work, it's bad news. Therefore, breaking these systemic barriers for better pay and representation at work requires teamwork.
A Bonus Learning Experience:
To understand more about how unconscious biases affect employees and businesses alike, enter the glimpse of a simulation by FocusU, where participants enter a virtual and navigate unconscious biases.
In 2024, we see senior-level women saying "enough is enough" and walking out. Why? They're often juggling extra responsibilities for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) without any recognition. But it's not just about fairness.
This step back is a huge loss for companies, that need their talent, perspective, and leadership to thrive.
This isn't just a walkout, it's a wake-up call. Companies need to create real opportunities and genuine parity for women. It's not just about profit; it's about building a future where everyone has a chance to shine.
An annual GDP of about $4.5 trillion in 2025 could be added to the economies of Asia Pacific by advancing women's equality at work and boosting profits and sales for companies. Let this sink in.
This win-win partnership has multiple benefits for both women and companies that encourage gender parity at work.
The global workforce is in constant flux, demanding agile and empowered employees. Yet, women often face barriers to accessing the opportunities and experiences needed to adapt. This creates a talent gap for companies and limits women's potential.
The solution? Tailored Learning and Development (L&D) programs focused on women's unique needs. This is where FocusU steps in, empowering women to unlock their full potential through tailored learning solutions.
Below are a few examples of crucial L&D programs for women at work:
In 2023, more organizations are prioritizing women's involvement in top roles.
Engaging your women workforce in leadership training programs would help your company achieve a more inclusive perspective and variety in leadership skills.
It is also crucial to train top-position employees, front-line managers, and women employees to highlight what matters as your organization's leadership traits.
Here are some ways in which you can benefit from a learning leadership journey:
Providing women with flexible learning options like remote learning and online classes at their own pace allows a more diverse workforce to participate.
For example, global Coursera enrollments for female learners increased from 38% to 43% between 2019 and 2023. As women are more constricted in a societal setup, providing them with flexible learning options at their own pace allows them to reconnect with learning platforms again.
FocusU understands that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. That's why we offer a diverse range of flexible L&D solutions designed to fit your unique needs and preferences:
For Learning and Development programs to become truly fruitful for women at work, the process of seeking continuous feedback and adjusting the programs to the needs of your women workforce is critical.
Below are a few ways for both company and employees to bridge hierarchical and societal gaps and ensure the growth curve at work goes upward for all. Read on to know how.
The journey from potential to parity for women in the workplace hinges on one crucial factor: learning. Learning and Development (L&D) programs aren't just about skill acquisition; they're powerful tools for empowering women to overcome barriers, unlock their full potential, and achieve equitable representation in leadership roles.
The path to parity isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. But with every step we take towards investing in women's L&D, we move closer to a future where potential transcends barriers, and equality reigns supreme.