Are you aware of this?
Around the world, women face all kinds of discrimination at work just for being female.
We’re talking unfair pay, lack of promotions, inappropriate comments and touching, isolation from decision-making – you name it.
The stats are pretty shocking too.
In South Africa, women hold under 30% of management jobs despite being 45% of the workforce.
Even in progressive Europe, 80% of women report dealing with sexism on the job.
So what’s it really like being a woman at work nowadays? Let’s dig into the messed up realities women face.
Top Gender Discrimination in the Workplace Statistics: Editor’s Pick
- Women in India earn 34% less than men for similar work. [1]
- In Japan, women devote over 4 times the amount of time that men spend on unpaid domestic work. [2]
- 28% of working Moroccans report experiencing gender discrimination. [3]
- South Africa’s women hold under 29% of managerial roles, despite comprising 45% of the workforce. [4]
- 80% of women report workplace sexism, while only 37% of men do. [5]
Workplace Gender Discrimination – Global Scale
Have you faced gender discrimination at work?
Chances are higher if you’re a woman – they more commonly experience bias than men worldwide.
For example, in India women earn over 30% less in the same roles as men.
And in Africa, only 5% of CEOs are women.
The data reveals striking inequalities facing women globally:
In Asia
What’s more:
- Women in India earn 34% less than men for similar work. [1]
- While Japan ranks 121st out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Gender Gap Index. [2]
In Africa
Africa is the world’s second largest continent.
But when it comes to gender equality at work, it still has big strides to make.
Let’s look at the numbers:
- According to Hespress, 28% of working Moroccans report experiencing gender discrimination. [3]
- Women hold under 29% of managerial positions in South Africa despite making up 45% of the workforce. [4]
In Europe
Europe, though known for progressive policies, still falls short on workplace gender equality.
A striking 20% of the French believe complete equity exists – but the data reveals otherwise:
- The EU gender pay gap is 14.1%. However, it ranges from under 5% in Romania and Luxembourg to over 17% in Estonia. [5]
- In France, 80% of women report experiencing workplace sexism, compared to just 37% of men. [6]
Forms of Discrimination Women Faced at Work
Unequal pay and promotion practices
- Women typically earn around 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. [10]
- Black women earn 67 cents and Latina women earn just 57 cents. [11]
- Men are 40% more likely than women to be promoted to manager. [12]
- A 2021 study found that for every 100 men at the same level, only 86 women are promoted to manager positions. [13]
Sexual harassment, demeaning comments, inappropriate touching
- 29% of women say they’ve been treated as incompetent. [13]
- In the U.S., 22% of working women have dealt with sexual harassment at work.
- And more than half of women experience microaggressions at work. [14]
Social and professional isolation; exclusion from decision-making
- 72% of women in tech feel outnumbered by men in business meetings. [13]
- In 2016, women only got 2% of all the venture capital raised.
- Women account for less than 25% of computing professionals and just 15% of engineers. [15]
Gender Discrimination Against People of All Gender Identities
No matter your gender, discrimination at work still happens way too often.
From getting paid less to straight up harassment, people get treated unfairly just for being themselves.
Whether you’re a woman, man, or non-binary, the data reveals inequities and unfair treatment tied to gender are alive and well globally.
Key statistics:
- Men who work in traditionally female-dominated roles, like nursing, also report discrimination and harassment based on gender. [7]
- 90% of transgender or gender non-conforming people report workplace harassment, mistreatment, or discrimination. [8]
- 11% of LGTBQ job seekers said they experienced discrimination while trying to find work. [8]
- 22% of women face gender discrimination in the workplace, specifically in the form of discrimination related to pregnancy, motherhood, and family caregiving. [9]
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FAQs
Is it legal for my employer to pay me less than my male coworkers for the same work?
No, paying someone less purely on the basis of gender is illegal under the Equal Pay Act. The law requires men and women receive equal pay for equal work.
Can my employer refuse to promote me because I am pregnant?
No. Denying promotions purely due to pregnancy is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Employers cannot make career decisions based on pregnancy.
What constitutes evidence of pay discrimination based on gender?
Evidence may include company pay data showing lower wages for women compared to men in the same positions, performance reviews showing women rated lower than men with similar achievements, or testimony from other employees about discriminatory pay practices.
Can I be fired for reporting gender discrimination at work?
No, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for making a discrimination complaint. You are protected when opposing unlawful practices.
What should I do if I am experiencing sexual harassment at work?
Report the harassing behavior immediately to your HR department and supervisor. Keep records of incidents. If not resolved, file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Harassment based on gender is prohibited.
Wrap Up
Gender discrimination at work remains alive and well.
Now what can we do? Companies gotta step up and implement clear anti-discrimination policies along with bias training stat.
And as employees, we’ve all gotta speak up when we see unfair treatment happening to our fellow human beings.
Time’s up for gender discrimination at work. We all deserve to earn what we’re worth and feel safe being our true selves on the job.
Together, we can make workplaces fair for all – no exceptions. You with me?
Source
- Newslaundry. Women in India are paid 34% lesser than men, making it widest gender pay gap in Asia
- World Economic Forum. How to narrow Japan’s widening gender gap
- Hespress. Quality in wages and employment top women’s right issue in Morocco
- Mckinsey. Women Matter Africa
- European Commission. The gender pay gap situation in the EU
- Vivien & Associes. Is The French Legal Approach To Sexual Harassment And Sexism In The Workplace So Different From Other Countries?
- ScienceDirect. Male Nurses’ Experiences of Workplace Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in South Korea: A Qualitative Study
- BBC. The risks of coming out at work
- Australian Human Rights Commission. The case for addressing workplace discrimination
- Pew Research Center. The Enduring Grip of the Gender Pay Gap
- Catalyst. Women’s Earnings: The Pay Gap (Quick Take)
- FE News. Men 40% More Likely Than Women To Be Promoted In Management Roles
- Luisa Zhou. Women in Tech Statistics: Gender Diversity in Tech [2023]
- Mckinsey. How workplaces can become safer and more inclusive spaces for women
- PEW Research Center. STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Rachelle is a digital marketer with experience in project management and marketing. She crafts content supported by data, advocating innovative solutions for job-seekers and professionals involved in hiring.