The Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society unveils its 2024 Barometer, in partnership with Ipsos
On the occasion of the 19th edition of its Global Meeting, the Women’s Forum reveals the results of its annual barometer on gender inequalities, developed in partnership with Ipsos, among a sample of 3,500 people residing within the countries of the G7.
The reality of gender inequalities is widely acknowledged but deeply ingrained; stereotypes continue to permeate society
Awareness of gender inequality is growing: 71% of respondents think that gender inequalities are widespread today in the world/globally. are aware of the extent of gender inequality worldwide, an increase of 6 points since 2022. This largely driven by growing awareness among men, who are 8 points higher than in 2022, compared to +3 points for women. This awareness is more pronounced among 25-34 year olds: 53% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials say they are feminists (compared to 41% on average).
However, gender stereotypes continue to grow stronger for all respondents but especially for Gen Z :
- 41% of those surveyed believe that the male brain is different from the female brain, which explains why men tend to have more aptitudes in scientific subjects and women tend to have more aptitudes in literary subjects. This figure reaches 50% for those aged 25 -34;
- 38% believe that women are naturally bigger spenders than men. This figure reaches 47% among those aged 25 -34 years.
Inequalities continue in the professional environment
The 2024 barometer of the Women’s Forum reveals that 74% of active people have witnessed sexist behaviours in the workplace. Moreover, 52% of the women report experiencing workplace behaviours that put them at a disadvantage compared to their male colleagues.
- 28% say they know that they were paid less than a male colleague with the same skills ;
- 22% have been given tasks below their capabilities because of their gender;
- 12% had difficulties in accessing jobs perceived as reserved to men
These inequalities are also reflected in the management, which remain far from achieving parity despite slight progress. In 2004, women held 19% of management positions, compared to 33% today. At this rate and without concrete actions, parity in top management positions will not be achieved before 2053.
Women are under-represented in the field of artificial intelligence, which is expanding rapidly and is now shaking up our daily lives:
- 20% of employees in technical positions in large companies specialised in machine learning are women;
- 18% of the speakers at major AI conferences are women;
- 12% of artificial intelligence researchers in the world are women.
Environment and health: a persistent marginalisation of women
Another lesson from the 2024 barometer is that women are still too rarely listened to during their medical consultations : 71% of women have experienced medical neglect due to their gender. These negligences are reflected in a lack of consideration for their symptoms, the feeling of being belittled or even the absence of advice.
Their issues are not sufficiently taken into account in the face of current environmental transformations . Women are the primary victims of climate warming: 80% of people displaced around the world due to climate disruption are women and young girls. Moreover, they are less represented than men in major bodies dedicated to climate diplomacy. At COP 28, held last November, only 19% of delegation leaders were women, and only 2% of delegations respected gender parity.
A willingness to take concrete actions
Faced with these findings, the people interviewed are however all unanimous: 72% consider it a priority to reduce gender inequalities (77% women, 67% men). Measures such as the publication of an inequality index by companies (78%) or the introduction of quotas in key leadership positions in the field of energy and climate action (70%) are acclaimed.
Nannette LaFond Dufour, President of the Women's Forum and Leïla Grison, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Publicis Group France and co-pilot of the Global Meeting say:
We call on everyone to implement sustainable solutions to reconcile awareness and concrete actions against gender inequalities. The Women's Forum is a place to welcome to implement these concrete actions. When they do not yet exist, we need to invent them, all together.
About the survey
Ipsos survey for the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society of 3,500 people residing in G7 countries.
