As the world economic gender gap is now at 60 percent, according to World Economic Forum, businesses, governments and academic leaders should develop plans that allow women to build sustainable careers, suggests Manpower Group, a provider of workplace solutions.
Nordic countries come in highest in the WEF Global Economic Gender Gap Report as Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden have eliminated more than 80 percent of their economic gender gaps since 2011. Meanwhile, more than half of the 135 responding economies have not closed this gap by more than 5 percent over the last seven years.
The index analyzes how countries split their resources and opportunities among men and women without regard to their levels of resources and opportunities. Generally, countries that have successfully strived to end their economic gender gaps boost strong regional economies.
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Gap ratings are measured by access to health care, access to education, political participation and economic equality. Manpower Group maintains that with women comprising half of a country's talent pipeline, the long-term competitiveness of that country much depends on if and how women are educated and are in position for success.
"Only extensive public-private collaboration can help remove the barriers to creating a diverse, sustainable, flexible and highly skilled work force," says Jeff Joerres, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO. "The dynamic work forces that countries need to accelerate their economic and social growth tracts across decades must represent all individuals in a country who want to work."
Finding skilled talent remains a challenge, and when gender-specific barriers prevent qualified women to apply for jobs, it is unlikely that employers can sustain their talent pipeline and reach their corporate objectives, Manpower Group states. To prevent this, public and private stakeholders in a regional work force should develop ways to provide women with skills training necessary as well as long-term career planning that will keep women's presence strong in the work force.
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