UK is paying the price for ignoring gender equality

It is 99 years since the first International Women’s Day. Yet, despite the far-reaching achievements of the female half of our population, we are still struggling with gender equality throughout our organisations, even in the face of the economic returns that it could provide. Only 12 per cent of women hold board positions within FTSE-100 companies and average gender wage gap persists at almost 40 per cent for part-time workers.

Gender equality, as part of an overall diversity strategy, is fundamental to business progression. It is a powerful tool, and a source of competitive advantage and long-term sustainability - it is not a soft topic. Research shows us how diverse teams, time and time again, outperform those whose membership is alike. We need to harness the talent, passion and imagination of the entire workforce. So why aren’t we? Why are the barriers that block career choices for women still standing resolute, however well-meaning the HR policies around flexible working may be?