Rolling Uphill: the challenges of achieving gender parity
Martin Luther King Jr. observed that “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through tireless efforts…Without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.” Achieving gender parity is not a straightforward journey. We are pushing the ball uphill, facing numerous obstacles along the way. Momentum is not guaranteed, and gender parity is not a given.
In 2023, the World Economic Forum’s report on the Global Gender Gap stated that it would take another 131 years to reach gender parity. In 2024, that number increased to 134 years. That’s not to say progress toward gender parity has not occurred. 97% of the 146 economies included have closed more than 60% of their gap, compared to 85% in 2006. But the backslide is a keen reminder that movement can go both ways.
This trend is not limited to global statistics; specific economies show additional concerns. For instance, in the US last year, the gender wage gap widened for the first time in two decades. While men’s earnings rose by 3%, women’s rose by just 1.5. As well, a 10-year look at how women have progressed in the corporate pipeline shows that too few women—and especially women of colour—are advancing into management positions and the highest level (C-suite) gains in representation will be nearly impossible to replicate in the years to come.
The benefits of gender equality are undeniable and are recognized to have a widespread impact. From an economic perspective, achieving gender parity could add around $150 billion to the Canadian GDP by 2026, while the World Bank estimates that closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could increase global GDP by more than 20%. Gender equality in education means girls who receive an education have a higher likelihood to be healthier and more productive, earning higher incomes and building better futures for their families. Studies also show that transforming health systems to provide equal access to health care for all genders leads to better health outcomes.
As the World Economic Forum states, “parity can come within grasp, but it requires decisive leadership and dedicated resources.” This is how international standardization organizations have been trying to advance the cause.
Standards are everywhere and pertain to all parts of society. From the buildings we live and work in, to the food we eat, to the machines we rely on for day-to-day activities, standards apply to all of them. And it is standards that make them safe for us to use. So, it makes sense that standards should consider the needs and differences of all genders who use them. However, there is evidence that standards do not protect women as well as they do men. Research has shown that standards are associated with a reduction in fatalities from unintentional injuries for men but not women.
In 2019, the UNECE opened its Declaration on Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development for signature. The Declaration acknowledges that the “outcomes for men and women are not explicitly addressed in the standards development process.” It also notes that women are under-represented in the standards development process, and that this has implications. Standards are reflective of the committees that develop them. According to the Standard Council of Canada’s (SCC) latest research, gender diversity is positively associated with improved performance of technical committees. More women participating means that gender is more likely to be considered by the committee and that the standards will better serve the entire population. But, and this is an important point, more women are also associated with a better performing committee overall.
The Declaration now has over 85 signatories, including Canada through SCC. As a signatory, we committed to contribute to the development of inclusive standards. Moreover, Canada has participated in the development of guidance documents that describe how to create standards that are more gender responsive, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WP.6 Gender-Responsive Standards and Gender Responsive Standards: Guidance for ISO and IEC technical committees.
The most recent addition to that guidance is the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) Guidance for National Committees: Improving Gender Diversity in Standards Development. It aims to raise awareness among national committees about the benefits and importance of improving gender diversity in standards for governance and standards development. It also provides practical advice on steps national committees can take to help IEC improve gender diversity.
It's through dedicated efforts such as these and adherence to such guidance that will provide real-world change in gender parity. With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030, not a single indicator under Goal 5, gender equality, has been fully attained.
Achieving gender parity is not just a distant goal; it’s a pressing necessity that requires action. We cannot afford to be complacent because gender parity is not inevitable. Each of us has a role to play in driving progress. Whether it's advocating for equitable policies, supporting organizations that promote gender equity, or working towards gender responsive standards, our efforts count. We need to keep the momentum going to ensure we crest that hill.
