Empowerment is a key feature of modern workplaces around the world. Companies that empower their employees and foster a culture of workplace engagement have higher retention rates, higher productivity and 21% increase in profitability.
Empowerment at work also ensures staff safety. Employees who feel supported by their employer are much more likely to raise issues. They also tend to be vocal about possible abuse and violence.
This is especially important today. International Labor Organization (ILO) data show that: 17.9% of women claim to be subject to some form of psychological violence. However, only half of all victims share their experiences with others. Empowerment can end the cycle of abuse. It can expose organizations that don’t take their employee wellness initiatives seriously.
Importance of empowerment
Truly empowering women to take leadership roles, pursue career advancement and change industry standards benefits everyone.have More women in the business world benefit everyone. In many cases, women bring a more holistic approach to decision-making thanks to life experiences and perspectives that men do not. Many women may also bring their communication, empathy, task management, and organizational skills to their companies. This encourages cross-departmental collaboration.
Nevertheless, women 31% of all leadership positions. This disparity undermines global efforts to end gender-based discrimination. And left unchecked, you end up supporting a misogynistic work culture fueled by abuse and censorship.
Empowerment helps companies address gender-based disparities in leadership and improve working conditions for women.of united nations The (United Nations) echoes this opinion stating that women’s empowerment includes:
- Ability to participate equally in the current market.
- Access and control productive resources.
- Access to suitable jobs.
- control your time.
- Increased ownership and participation in economic decision-making.
It is clear that women’s empowerment is more than tokenized participation to meet quotas. Bridging the gender gap requires investments in women’s education. We also need the cooperation of progressive groups working to end gender-based violence. Organizations must want to benefit from the economic growth inherent in an inclusive and equitable economy.
Gender-based empowerment can also support women’s security for decades to come. Despite recent efforts to close the gender gap, women are far less likely to benefit from social protection, according to a United Nations report. Social protection such as pensions, unemployment benefits and maternity protection are essential for women’s empowerment and security.
Gender diversity and violence
All employees have the right to work in an environment where they feel safe, supported and valued. However, ILO data show that young women are twice as likely as young men to experience sexual violence and harassment in the workplace. Among women who have faced sexual violence or harassment, three out of five say they have been assaulted multiple times at work.
All businesses should put in place strong protection policies to eradicate gender-based violence and improve workplace welfare. However, companies that embrace inclusion can enhance employee psychological safety by: Improving diversity within the company. Businesses serious about ending gender violence should start by:
- Fund employee resource groups that work together to solve company-wide problems.
- We actively recruit with diversity and inclusion in mind.
- Conduct salary and promotion audits to ensure women are treated fairly.
- Review benefits to ensure benefits such as insurance do not inadvertently promote gender discrimination.
Companies that take their efforts to end gender violence seriously will be able to attract the best talent and retain the best employees. Simply put, people want to work in environments where they feel supported and noticed.
Companies that are serious about tackling gender violence should consider reinvesting some of their profits into campaigns to end sexual harassment and gender violence. Recent movements like #MeToo have gained international recognition, but efforts to end workplace violence require funding and investment. Employers show that they genuinely care about the rights, health and well-being of women in the workplace by redistributing a portion of their profits towards women’s empowerment.
mental health in the workplace
A misogynistic and violent workplace is inherently stressful. However, when employees feel disenfranchised, they are less likely to speak up about the stress they face and the toxic environment at work.
Unfortunately, Stress can cause miscommunication And the risk of occupational accidents increases. Employees under high pressure are less likely to raise concerns and may be more likely to make mistakes that endanger the safety of their colleagues. This can create a vicious cycle of high stress, deprivation of rights and suppression of women’s empowerment in the workplace.
Companies that want to support women’s empowerment and improve worker safety should put in place risk management systems that protect employees and employers alike. Common risk management systems, such as employee training protocols, also help companies spot hazards and gender gaps in the workplace.
Progressive employers should follow up their risk management systems by offering employee recognition and reward programs. Even simple initiatives to recognize staff can go a long way. Gestures such as acknowledging an employee’s efforts during team meetings reaffirm their worth. This encourages staff to pursue future promotions and raises.
digital workplace
The future of work is evolving rapidly. The rise of digital work means that more employees will be able to work from home, overcoming the barriers associated with working in physical locations. However, employers need to ensure online safety, especially for women who work remotely. You need to ensure protection from inappropriate online behavior and provide digital support when employees need it.
A woman working remotely can protect herself online by using a virtual private network (VPN) VPN to encrypt her data and ward off malicious attackers. The VPN also protects your personal data, as a good her VPN hides the user’s her IP address and browsing activity.
Workplaces transitioning to remote/hybrid regimes should keep in mind that women working from home are still at risk of violence and inappropriate behavior. All employees should know exactly how to report abuse/abuse online and be able to speak up about harassment, stalking, bullying or inappropriate interactions.
Conclusion
Empowering women is key to the long-term growth and prosperity of any business. If we encourage women to pursue leadership roles, we can disrupt industry norms and usher in a new era of inclusion and equality. A workplace that champions women’s rights is also safer for everyone, because a diverse workplace increases psychological safety and promotes mental health for all employees.
About the author
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys writing about how technology, education and health intersect and affect our daily lives. She is often addicted to good books.
Photo credit: Unsplash
