Women in Business and Management

Investing in gender equality and diversity is not just the right thing to do, it’s a smart business strategy. Evidence shows that gender-balanced workplaces perform better, attract more talent, and are more resilient in the face of change. For employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs), supporting this agenda means enabling their enterprise members to thrive. Why it matters:

This resource hub, developed by the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), brings together the most relevant ILO tools, research and guidance to support EBMOs and their business members to advance gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

Untapped potential

The private sector continues to make slow but steady progress on gender equality and diversity. However, plenty of scope remains to better tap into the significant pool of underutilized female talent. 

According to the latest ILO data:

• Women make up 50 per cent of the global workforce but their share of employment is just 40 per cent. 
• Women occupy just 35 per cent of management positions.
• Women earn just 77.4 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. 
   

What’s new

In 2015 and 2019, the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities ran large-scale surveys of thousands of enterprises across the globe on gender equality and diversity. Our latest survey is currently being carried  out and the report will be published in 2026. 

The Women in Business and Management reports focus on how gender diversity at the top improves organizational performance.  The reports look closely at the representation of women in management and at board levels and on how this impacts enterprises as well as the rest of the workforce. The findings shape EBMO and policy action on gender equality and diversity. 

For further information, please see:

• Women in Business and Management: The business case for change (2019)
• Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum (2015)