It will take another 134 years, or about five generations, to achieve gender parity worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024. What does it take to speed up the process?

A drop to the top

While the number of women in STEM roles has steadily increased since 2016, they still represent only 28% of the workforce. At this rate, it will take five generations to achieve gender parity. Women, particularly in managerial positions, continue to face significant barriers, resulting in a notable ‘drop to the top’ on a global scale.

With a coordinated shift in resources and mindsets, the progress could dramatically speed up and achieve gender parity by 2030, according to the Forum’s Global Gender Parity Spring 2030 report. That’s about 128 years sooner. Professional networks, policy development and implementing insights will significantly speed up the process. 

Increased productivity and strong innovation outcomes

Business efforts to improve gender parity are already gaining more momentum in some parts of the world, such as Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia. And there are big returns of investment:

“Where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are longer lasting, the returns follow: increased productivity, adaptability to change and stronger innovation outcomes.”

Global Gender Gap Report, 2024

We know that achieving gender parity offers a competitive edge in today’s increasingly challenging macro-economic and business landscape. Why, then, are more organizations not investing in these efforts?

One reason seems to be the lack of awareness about the impact these investments have. At Pink Programming, we are dedicated to bring the knowledge – as well as the tools. By educating and collaborating with companies and public sector, inspiring more women to pursue careers in tech, and supporting those already working in the field, we continuously work to speed up the process – and refuse wait another 134 years.