As progress in gender equity stalls, the message of International Women’s Day is even more urgent. Here’s why supporting women’s advancement is a strategic decision that strengthens businesses.
I have spent my career watching companies make bold declarations about gender equality, only to see those promises fade when tested. Women are often spotlighted in recruitment campaigns but left behind in promotions, appointments, and development opportunities. Policies designed to level the playing field disappear without explanation, replaced with vague references to “merit,” “culture fit,” and the elusive “gravitas.”
Her male colleagues, known for their direct and assertive styles, were praised for their confidence. No one asked them to adjust.
The 2025 U.N. International Women’s Day theme—For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment—is urgent. However, progress in gender equity is not accelerating; it is stalling.
In recent months, executive orders have gutted diversity programs, corporate leaders have distanced themselves from gender equity initiatives, and public figures like Mark Zuckerberg have called for “more masculine energy” in corporate America. These moments reinforce outdated narratives about leadership and limit opportunities for women at every level.
Read the entire Fast Company articel BY Wema Hoover: https://www.fastcompany.com/91293143/invest-in-women-or-prepare-to-fall-behind
