Dr. Maja (Maya) Zelihic’s Post

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today and the role of Women in Finance, Allegra Ianiri, MainStreet Partners, reflects on gender diversity and stereotyping and why we still have more to accomplish.   Gender stereotypes, ingrained from childhood, shape perceptions and influence career paths. For instance, the misconception that boys excel in STEM fields limits girls' opportunities. Similarly, the confidence gap between genders persists, affecting career progression.   To challenge these norms, exposure to diverse role models is crucial. By showcasing successful women like Mary Barra and Adena T. Friedman, we inspire confidence and ambition in young women while fostering respect among men.   While progress has been made, our industry continues to face challenges in fostering inclusivity and diversity, especially in senior positions.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dcA3g25g #InternationalWomensDay #GenderDiversity #genderstereotypes

Is gender diversity the missing key to unlocking full economic potential in STEM? It's a topic I increasingly find myself discussing, and this interview with Kay Hussain, CEO of WISE, really puts the magnitude of both the challenge and opportunity into context saying: ‘Gender diversity is an 'economic imperative' crucial for a thriving, innovative business landscape.’ And the data speaks for itself: McKinsey's research links creativity directly to business success, underscoring diversity as a catalyst for innovation. The UK's emergence as a global STEM leader hinges on our commitment to shattering ceilings and igniting progress. It's time for leaders to take a decisive stand for gender parity — not just to 'do what's fair,' but to drive what's fundamentally beneficial for business and society. Here's the full article https://lnkd.in/eRiq3Bjg #genderdiversity #stem #businessbenefits #ignitingchange

Want to get further, faster in business and life? Let's learn from a "manel". 👉🏻 Manel: a zero gender diversity, all-men panel On so many levels, the signaling is just wrong. - Success in business and life is only for men because, no, women can't have it all. *** My recent research on Gender Diversity and Innovation Efficiency yielded mixed results. The number of women, like other minority groups, needs to cross a threshold before their voices will be heard. i.e. can't have too few. The bad news is more diversity can also lead to more conflict, so there's a limit before the costs outweigh the benefits. i.e. can't have too many. A perfect double-bind situation with no easy answer. This complex issue requires more studies but at the heart of it all... Representation matters. For instance, did you know that women in high-income countries are 17% less likely to enroll in STEM courses due to the lack of female role models? In countries where everyone has equal access to education, economic and career opportunities remain elusive to women, as some systems feel like "old boys club?" *** So on one hand, as we encourage women to step up, be bold, and achieve success in both business and life, don't forget the subliminal messages we're sending. At the end of the day, role modeling is a powerful vehicle for social change... All the talk about gender diversity and equality is useless... Unless we put a stop to tone-deaf events. P.S. I'm not a feminist, but a firm believer in diversity and equality. The research speaks louder than my anecdotal experience. P.P.S. The event described above is real.

https://lnkd.in/gWAGPbtB When it comes to diversity in STEM, progress is sluggish and barriers for women remain high, hindering opportunities for more innovation. #changemanagement #diversity #innovation #recruitment #stem

When women are given the chance to contribute their expertise and perspectives in academia without barriers, they enrich the entire academic community. Using women-only hiring for certain roles to close the gender gap is a bold initiative but one that is yielding promising results at this university! Achieving diversity and equality in STEM fields requires proactive measures and targeted interventions. Some might view it as a controversial method but what we should be really viewing as controversial is the fact this gender gap exists in the first place. #WomenInSTEM #Diversity #GenderEquality

This post is a part of a series where we cover different aspects of the latest findings from the WIN | Worldwide Independent Network of MR & OP World Survey (WWS) 2024 Report on Gender Equality. With regards to Job opportunities and careers the following is being reported: 1.     44% of the global population still believe that women have fewer job opportunities than men. With a higher proportion of women (54%) believing this compared to men (34%). 2.     The general trend suggests that the proportion of women who believe women have less opportunities increases with age, where 64% of the 65+ years age bracket believes so, while only 46% of the 18-24 year-old bracket do. 3.     Fewer women report having the same or more career opportunities as they attain higher levels of education, this is true until the completion of their university degree, and only marginally increases with an even higher-level qualification such as a Masters or PhD. 4.     An alarming 54% of female students believe that women have less career opportunities, this is even higher amongst retired/disabled females (64%), and lowest amongst housewives (46%) 5.     Across regions, the percentage of women who believe they have fewer job opportunities is highest in Europe (66%), followed by MENA (59%), and the lowest in Africa (30%) and APAC (37%). 6.     Ivory Coast (40%), Philippines (30%), and India (27%) are the countries where the highest percentage of women report having more job opportunities than their male counterparts. Pakistan reports the figure at 16%, securing the 9th position on the list. 7.     Croatia (81%), Italy (80%), and France (75%) are the countries where the highest percentage of women report having fewer job opportunities than their male counterparts. WIN | Worldwide Independent Network of MR & OP is the world's leading independent association in market research and polling - of which Gallup Pakistan is a member - has published the first report of its series from the Annual WIN World Survey, exploring the views and beliefs of 33,866 people in 39 countries across the globe. WIN has released the latest results on gender equality, safety and violence, to track and understand if there are any improvements around the world in terms of equal opportunities and rights. Full report can be found at: https://lnkd.in/dDe4pgaS  

Women empowerment has seen significant successes in various realms, but it's important to note that there's still progress to be made. Here are some notable achievements in women's empowerment, that we went through our team discussing and would like to share here. This will be very much useful as we just celebrated "INTERNATIONAL WOMEN"S DAY" Education: Over the past few decades, there has been a remarkable increase in girls' access to education globally. More girls are attending school and staying enrolled longer than ever before, breaking barriers and challenging traditional gender roles. Workforce Participation: Women's participation in the workforce has increased, with more women entering various professions and industries previously dominated by men. This includes fields such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), politics, business, and sports. Leadership Roles: Women have made strides in leadership roles, occupying positions of power and influence in politics, business, academia, and other sectors. This includes heads of state, CEOs of multinational corporations, and leaders of international organizations. Legal Reforms: Many countries have enacted laws and policies aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights. These include legislation addressing issues such as gender-based violence, equal pay, reproductive rights, and access to healthcare. Social Movements: Women-led social movements, such as the #MeToo movement, have raised awareness about issues such as sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and workplace discrimination. These movements have sparked important conversations and prompted action to address systemic inequalities. Representation in Media: There's been a growing push for diverse and empowering representations of women in media and popular culture. This includes efforts to challenge stereotypes, promote body positivity, and showcase women's achievements and contributions in various fields. Global Advocacy: International organizations, governments, NGOs, and activists continue to advocate for women's rights and gender equality on a global scale. Efforts such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include targets specifically aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. While these successes are noteworthy, it's essential to recognize that challenges remain. Gender disparities persist in areas such as income, political representation, access to education and healthcare, and participation in decision-making processes. Continued efforts are needed to address these inequalities and ensure full and meaningful participation for women in all aspects of society. Before I end this synopsis , wishing all women , "HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY"

Women still face numerous barriers when it comes to advancing their careers and moving up the corporate ladder. According to recent studies, women are still underrepresented in senior management positions across many industries, including the pharmaceutical sector. The most recent Women in Business report by McKinsey & Company* (October 2023) found that since 2015, in the USA and Canada, the number of women in the C-suite has increased from 17% to 28%, and the representation of women at VP and Senior VP levels has also improved significantly. While LinkedIn’s September 2023 report entitled ‘International Gender Representation in STEM Employment and Skills’ explored the current situation in over 39 countries and found that only 1 in 8 C-suite STEM roles are held by women, compared to 1 in 4 in non-STEM. #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #genderdiversity #genderparity #diversity #diversityandinclusion #diversityintheworkplace #inclusiveleadership #InspireInclusion * In partnership with Lean In .org

🙇♂️ Let us celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. From trailblazers who shattered glass ceilings to the unsung heroes who have quietly shaped our communities, women have been architects of positive change. Their resilience, intelligence, and compassion have propelled societies forward, and today, we honor their legacies. As we celebrate, we must also acknowledge the challenges that persist. Gender inequality, discrimination, and violence against women remain stark realities for far too many. International Women's Day is a reminder that our work is not done until every woman can live free from prejudice, can pursue her dreams without limitations, and can enjoy the same opportunities as her male counterparts. 1. Education stands as a powerful tool in this journey toward equality. When we invest in the education of girls and women, we empower not only individuals but entire communities. Education is the cornerstone of progress, breaking the chains of ignorance and prejudice, and opening doors to a future where gender does not determine one's destiny. 2. Economic empowerment is another crucial aspect of the fight for gender equality. When women have equal access to employment, entrepreneurship, and financial resources, economies flourish, and societies thrive. It is our collective responsibility to dismantle the barriers that hinder women's full participation in the workforce and to create environments where talent, irrespective of gender, is recognized and rewarded. 3. Beyond policy changes and structural adjustments, let us also commit to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion. We must challenge stereotypes, break down gender norms, and promote environments where every woman can express her unique talents and perspectives without fear of judgment or bias. International Women's Day is not just about women; it is about humanity. It is about recognizing that our collective progress is contingent on the upliftment of half of our population. It is about understanding that when women rise, we all rise. #narishakti #womenempowerment

An interesting reading from Harvard Business School "How Gender Stereotypes Kill a Woman’s Self-Confidence." What she found, in essence, is that gender stereotypes distort our views of both ourselves and others—and that may be especially troubling for women, since buying into those stereotypes could be creating a bleak self-image that is setting them back professionally. #women #confidence #equality #stereotypes #humanresources https://lnkd.in/e8SuT5tE