International Women’s day is observed on the 8th March to value women and men’s contribution equally and create a comprehensive culture. The United Nations Charter in 1945, signed the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men.

This year with the theme of #PressForProgess, the United Nation calls on the masses to commit to a gender parity mindset, through progressive action. Despite society, recognizing the numerous attempt of women across various levels, there is still a need to create an environment of complete equality between Men and women.

According to reports by the World Economic forum, we still are 217 years away from gender parity, which is a clear reminder that more needs to be done. If we all want to see progressive action and accelerate gender parity, then all- men, women and businesses need to pool our collective power and press for progress.

It’s already 2018 and many businesses are not actively doing anything effective to achieve diversity or close the gender pay gap at their organisations. According to a recent Salesforce study, only 25% of business professional believe in closing the gender pay gap, while only 36% pay attention to working towards greater diversity. If the Indian statistics are to be considered, as per Preliminary Evidence from Paycheck India data, Gender Pay Gap in the Formal Sector 2006-2013, the gender pay gap increases as women grow in their career.

These number are depressing and raising serious concerns about the status of women in the 21st century. However, there could be practical ways to #PressForProgress of women. As we mark another International Women’s day, businesses can celebrate and push onwards with practical diversity solutions to make positive change in society as well as add to the profitability of the business.

While, Women worldwide are closing deals in critical areas such as health and education, consequential gender inequality persists in the workforce and in politics. According to World Economic Forum, Only 2 per cent women across 12 industries report to be female leaders.

WEF’s data also states that when there is more women participation in leadership roles, more women are hired right across the board at all levels. There is a sad and an urgent need to be addressed by the authorities. However, a few steps forward can do better at bridging the gap.

• Make women a part of the decision making process at workplace. Organise gender sensitisation workshops aiming at the leaders and top authorities at workplaces. This will inculcate a culture of free biasness.
• Allocation of reserved bills for women in the parliament will bring forward more women, even from the minority section in the decision making process and do better for the females of the country.
• Women professionals find it difficult to raise an alarm or report about sexual misconduct or gender bias, creating a safe workplace will bring forward more women to work and flourish.