Partnership for Equality: Male Allies in Creating Equal Opportunities at Work
Why is it important to consider gender equality as a shared task for all employees, regardless of their gender? How can collaboration between men and women contribute to achieving gender equality in the workplace? What challenges can arise during the implementation of gender equality strategies at work and how to overcome them? These topics were discussed during the online seminar "Male Allies in Ensuring Gender Equality in the Workplace," held as part of the Month of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at Ukrhydroenergo.
Traditional societal stereotypes have often depicted men as breadwinners and women as homemakers. Such outdated perceptions have clashed with the evolving world. Gender equality has become a significant theme in contemporary society, particularly in the workplace, where ensuring equal opportunities and respect for all employees is crucial. Gender equality entails eliminating discrimination, ensuring equal pay for similar work, and providing opportunities for career advancement regardless of gender.
In this context, male allies play a pivotal role, actively supporting women in achieving their career goals and safeguarding against discrimination. They help create a new paradigm where equality and diversity are fundamental values. Male allies collaborate with women to eliminate harmful gender relations and stereotypes. Their role involves actively supporting women in discrimination or inequality, serving as mentors and career development partners, and promoting inclusivity and awareness against discrimination.
Challenges related to gender equality in the workplace run more profound than they might appear. It involves addressing unwritten rules and hidden discrimination, which can manifest in candidate selection, task allocation, pay, and decisions regarding career growth. Despite high levels of education, statistics show that women often struggle to realize their potential in the professional sphere due to traditional gender role perceptions. Supporting women in achieving their professional ambitions and creating an environment where qualifications provide access to equal opportunities are crucial.
Research by Ernst & Young indicates that companies with over 25% women in leadership roles and gender equality development programs enjoy advantages like a 6% higher profitability, 45% larger market share, and better growth rates in new markets. However, achieving gender parity globally remains challenging.
Gender equality in the workplace is an integral aspect of modern society and progressive business environments. Partnership between men and women becomes a critical factor in achieving this goal. Gender equality should be viewed not merely as a task for specific groups but as a global objective that requires collective efforts. Inclusive work environments benefit employees and organizations, fostering balanced development and growth.
A series of seminars on implementing the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is organized as part of the Month of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at Ukrhydroenergo, with support from UN Women and the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
