A new survey by Leadership for Good reveals that women in leadership feel that gender equity and inclusion have either got worse or stayed the same over the past five years.
Over 100 women in leadership positions were surveyed in this study, and 61% say that they feel gender equality in the workplace feels worse or same in the past five years.
This has led to an impact in women’s career performance and advancement, mental health, wellbeing and relationships.
In the past 12 months alone, the survey asked if the women have experienced the following and many responded with ‘often’ or ‘very often’: 71% faced challenges balancing work and personal life, 61% received unequal pay for equal work, 54% had a lack of mentorship or sponsorship opportunities and 48% encountered gender bias in favour of men in promotion decisions.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Many women surveyed also faced microaggressions: 49% had something explained to them in a condescending manner, 42% had their ideas claimed, dismissed or ‘elevated’ by a male colleague, 39% were excluded from important meetings or decision-making processes, 31% experienced jokes or comments that stereotype or belittle women and 29% received unprofessional comments about their appearance, demeanour or emotional state.
Dr Sue Watson, Leadership for Good founder and programme director says that though results are disappointing, the results still reflected how women across NZ were feeling about the workplace.
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“We chose to do the survey to benchmark the recurring issues that are still commonplace with the women we work with, who are in some of the most senior roles in the country, and to identify solutions. If women who have achieved a level of leadership and career success continue to experience gender-based issues, they will be compounded for women in roles with less agency or authority,” says Watson.
“Diversity in leadership is critical as we look to solve significant economic, environmental and social challenges. However, women remain under-represented in governance and leadership roles in the private sector, and in leadership roles across many key industries.”
Because of their experiences, 38% of women were choosing not to opt-in to senior leadership roles, 74% say it has taken a toll on their confidence, 45% say it has impacted their mental health and 48% say it has changed their relationships with family and friends.
In response, the leadership development specialists behind Leadership for Good – Watson, programme leader and diversity expert Tracey Taylor, and strategic leadership adviser Loretta Brown – have joined forces to launch the ‘Connected Leadership Programme’, a platform that encourages peer learning, real-time problem solving, and continuous professional development, exclusively for women.
In an effort to tackle the inequalities women face in the workforce, the programme is launching later in September in Auckland before heading into Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Queenstown and Wellington in March 2025.
