#ProgressFeelsLike – Here is what 60% of women believe

With the approach of International Women’s Day, here are a few noteworthy statistics on the progress of 46.38% of the worldwide workforce

• 60% of women believe that the speed of women’s progress is either stagnant or moving slowly. (Kotex – Feb. 2024)
• Half of the women polled indicated that the world is a more uncomfortable place for them than ever before. (Kotex – Feb. 2024)
• Furthermore, the study showed that these sentiments are relatively stronger among the younger generation. (Kotex – Feb. 2024)

However, here are some additional statistics from over the past few years that should make addressing the above findings a top priority:

• Peter Drucker said that “companies with at least one female director were 20% less likely to file bankruptcy” than those with none. He then went on to say that those with “higher representations of females on their boards” overall had better financial performance.” (Women in Procurement)
• When it comes to women elevating performance in the procurement world, an Oliver Wyman survey of 300 CPOs in Europe, the United States, and Asia spanning 14 industry sectors is even more telling. According to the results of the survey, 76 percent of CPOs “perceive more creativity and innovation thanks to the presence of more women on their teams.” (Women in Procurement)
• While the October 2019 results reported by CIPS indicate that the “average pay gap in the profession overall narrowed slightly, from 23% in 2015 to 21% in 2019,” when women are “promoted” to a higher position, this gap increases significantly – and not merely by a few percentage points. (Pay Equity)
• According to CIPS, the gender pay gap for a senior position has risen from 15% in 2015 to 35% in 2019. The 2020 results revealed similar findings. (Pay Equity)

“In a long history of advancement of women’s rights and equality, today we are reminded that progress isn’t a given.” Alison Lewis, chief growth officer at Kimberly-Clark (Kotex – Feb. 2024)

“Digital transformation will not happen without women.” Kevin Peesker, President, Microsoft Canada (Women in Procurement)

“It is the people within an organization who are responsible for digital success. To realize that success, we need more women to get into the game in multiple roles, starting with equal opportunity and equal pay. Jon Hansen (Women in Procurement)

Given the above, what would progress feel like to women?

What would the women in your organization say #ProgressFeelsLike?

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