Changing role of

women's in past 25 years in

business
Bread makers are becoming bread earners. If we have noted a change in
the role of women from the mid 20th century, we can see faster changes
and reforms now.
Changing the role of women in the past 25 years have been a global
teamwork. Mothers are looked upon as people instead of sacred entities
whose sole purpose is to take care of her family. Women are becoming
more aware of their capabilities are options.
A diploma isn’t a title for becoming a good candidate for marriage, but a
step closer to self-growth and becoming a diligent worker.
 
Changing the role of women in the past 25 years was a big step in families
Differences were observed by initiatives and projects in families who live in
the city and ones who live in villages.
The biggest elements in changing the role of women in the past 25 years
have been education and the literacy rate. From these elements, more
factors arise such as women empowerment, independence, employment of
women, the ability to make their own decisions with no intervention of male
family members.
Becoming an individual was not a widespread practice. School is when
they can indulge themselves in their hobbies and interests. They are
persuaded to receive higher education depending on their status: if she’s
engaged, it’s pointless, if not, then higher education might make her seem
more appealing.
We must take into consideration that changes occur slower in rural areas,
but they are evident. Nowadays, girls in villages are persuaded to leave
and receiver higher education not for having a better title, but for personal
improvement and fulfilling their potentials. Parents are more supportive of
their girls.
Organizations focus on creating projects that are centered on improving
and reforming the role of women and girls in villages. Sports are
encouraged, wider options are presented, bigger dreams are supported.
Women living in cities and towns are more motivated to achieve their
potentials. They are exposed to more opportunities. Why do families in
villages show relatively slower progress in women’s development?
The main reason is lack of awareness and passing on beliefs that were told
by their grandparents. Higher education is closely related to delayed
marriage, but nowadays it is deemed as a good thing in the sense that both
partners in future marriages can provide the family with money.
Changing the role of women in the past 25 years in the workplace has also
noted significant improvement
The number of women in the workplace has increased since social
movements and projects have emerged in the recent years.
If women were taught to have professions such as supportive and nurturing
ones like teaching, nursing, now they are found in fields that used to be
dominated by men.
Occupations aren’t gender-selective, they are gender neutral. Although
gender discrimination still continues to be an issue nowadays, it doesn’t
stop women from moving forward.
Women with children are viewed negatively by employers as they assume
it would lead to creating problems and obstacles when it comes to the
progression of their career. In the meantime, men with children are deemed
sympathetic and loyal.
But changing the role of women in the past 25 years in the workplace is an
ongoing process. First, we must note that studies have shown that,
although the wage gap still exists, it is slowly narrowing compared to that of
25 years ago.
Having more women on board has shown to have a positive impact in the
workplace. Rather than having a stereotypical feminine job, leadership is
encouraged.
Women in charge have shown different perspectives, creative ideas and
new viewpoints of solving problems. In the past 2 decades, women who’ve
initiated projects and owned businesses have contributed a lot to society
and have expanded over time.
 

 
 
Changing Role of the women in the past 25 years
Introduction:
The women, non some days, are playing a stellar role
in advancement of the value system in the life of a
family to which they belong. It may be a joint family or
a nuclear family. The families which are financially
sound, do not send their women folks outside their
houses since they have to handle various tasks as house
wife. Whereas, in the families which are not
economically sound, the women try to supplement the
income of the households by seeking employment.
In both these cases, the women contribute immensely.
Literacy and education are the two main factors
where we can observe the development of
women from past 25 years. Women empowerment,
employment, decision making, individuality, are
medium factors.
Women in business: advantages, challenges, and opportunities

Advantages of women in business

1. A diverse workforce is an innovative workforce Diversity—from gender

diversity to culture, age, and race—has been shown to foster creativity and
innovation. From PricewaterhouseCooper, to Disney and L’Oreal, organizations
across industries are seeking to prioritize and benefit from a diverse and inclusive
work environment.

Men and women will inevitably have different experiences and backgrounds,
which shape their approach to business. Challenging each other and collaborating
with people who think differently can breed creativity and promote the innovative
ideas that push organizations forward.

“Even with the very best of intentions, we have a tendency to gravitate towards
people who are like us. It takes a real leader to say ‘I need someone to challenge
me.’ That challenge can spawn new creativity, innovation, and growth.”

– Tessa Misiaszek, Associate Dean, Hult International Business School

2. Women excel at the soft skills needed for business leadership

While technical skill and knowledge are fundamental to career success, CEOs
consistently cite soft skills as the most desirable professional attributes. Although
characteristics like effective communication, empathy, and self-awareness are
difficult to measure, they are highly valued and can make a real difference to the
bottom line. Recent research has drawn a connection between strength of character
and business performance—with CEOs who rank highly for attributes like
compassion and integrity also enjoying a 9.35% return on assets over a two-year
period.

Soft skills and emotional intelligence may prove a key competitive advantage for
women in business. A 2016 study published by the global consulting firm Hay
Group found that women outperform men in 11 of 12 key emotional intelligence
competencies. These competencies included emotional self-awareness, empathy,
conflict management, adaptability, and teamwork—all essential skills for effective
leadership in the workplace

3. Women represent huge economic power and offer important consumer insight

It’s been estimated that women contribute in excess of $20 trillion in consumer
spending every year, representing a bigger growth market than China and India
combined. Women also account for 85% of consumer purchases. Despite this, only
11% of creative directors in advertising are women—up from just 3% in 2008.
When Boston Consulting Group did a comprehensive study of the “female
economy” it’s unsurprising that they found women feel undervalued and
underserved by the marketplace. With the power of the female consumer in mind,
it’s evident that women are best placed to tap into that opportunity and bring
valuable consumer insight to the table.

Tapping into the insight both men and women offer can make products and
services more marketable and a business more profitable. In fact, recent research
from McKinsey shows that gender-diverse businesses are 15% more likely to
outperform financially above the industry median.

Challenges for women in business

1. Women are still underrepresented in key fields While a number of industries are
showing trends of a growing female workforce, sectors like finance, engineering,
and tech still tend to be strongly male-dominated. In STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) industries overall, women make up just 24% of the
workforce in the U.S. and less than 15% in the U.K. Women’s under representation
could be down to the continued stereotype that an interest in “hard science” is
unfeminine. But with STEM occupations projected to be among the fastest
growing and best paid, it’s important that women feel empowered to gain the skills
and embrace the opportunities afforded by a career in science, tech, and related
fields. Organizations like the National Girls Collaborative Project and Girls Who
Code are working to inspire women to pursue computer sciences and engineering
and close the gender gap in STEM industries.

2. Gender bias in the workplace

While most executives agree that the best person—regardless of gender—should

get the job, the stories of women finding more success with a male or gender-
neutral name on their CV demonstrates that unconscious bias still exists.

The women who are in or want to position themselves for leadership roles often
feel they come under particular scrutiny. Where men may be encouraged to be
ambitious or assertive, women are programed from a young age not to be “bossy”.
Underlying gender bias means the same behavior and characteristics—initiative,
passion, and taking charge—can be interpreted differently in men and women in
the workplace.

3. Women are less successful when it comes to salary negotiation

Women’s own reluctance ask for higher pay is often cited as a factor behind the
gender pay gap. When Glassdoor did a recent survey on salary negotiation, it found
that 68% of women accepted the salary they were offered, while nearly half of the
men surveyed negotiated before accepting a role. It also revealed that when women
did try to negotiate their starting salary, the outcome was generally less favorable.

Challenging the notion that women don’t ask for raises, a 2016 study from Cass
Business School, the University of Warwick, and the University of Wisconsin,
found that women are equally as likely as men to ask for a wage increase. But
they’re also 25% less likely to get one.

It’s almost an accepted truth that men have a better sense of self-belief when
positioning themselves for leadership roles or negotiating pay. Even highly
successful women suffer from “imposter syndrome”, feeling inadequate and
underestimating their worth. Women believing in their own value and demanding a
salary that reflects it is an important step in closing the wage gap, while greater pay
transparency can also help to level the playing field.

“Start the process today of understanding that, really, nothing is off limits for you.
You can learn any skill. You can speak to anyone. Everything is within your
ability. Nourish this growth mindset—that will make you successful in your MBA
and applies right into the workforce.”

– Rosey Singh, Hult MBA Class of 2017

Opportunities for women in business

1. Gender equality and inclusivity becoming policy For many of forward-thinking
organizations, gender equality is becoming a matter of policy, whether it’s
committing to equal representation of women in the boardroom or hiring diversity
officers.

Discouraging and circumventing bias through hiring policy can help organizations
to reap the benefits of balance and equality. Rather than political correctness or
buzzwords, if diversity, inclusiveness, and gender equality become policy and are
embedded in business strategy, businesses thrive.

Making a commitment to things like equitable gender representation, inclusive

company culture, and work-life balance—including maternity and paternity
benefits—also help organizations to attract top talent. These are a few reasons why
companies like Salesforce, General Electric, and Deloitte are cited as excellent
places for both women and men to work.

2. Entrepreneurship as the path to leadership For a growing number of women, the

fastest route to the c-suite is launching their own business. In the United States, the
number women-owned businesses have increased 74% over the past 20 years—1.5
times the national average. Today’s start-up culture empowers women to be their
own boss and pay their own salary, defining how they want to work and making
the balance of career

and family life easier. Entrepreneurship presents a path for women to close the pay
gap and rise to leadership positions, on their own terms.

Running their own company also offers the opportunity for women to collaborate
with and hire other ambitious, like-minded women, fostering a new generation of
women in leadership roles.

3. Strengthening credentials with a business degree

To stand out in a competitive job market, many women hone the knowledge and
expertise they need through a business degree. The number of women enrolling in
business school is steadily on the rise. Whether it’s undergraduate study, an MBA,
EMBA, or Masters degree, business school offers a valuable platform for women
to become subject-matter experts, practice leadership skills, and gain the
confidence they need to step into the boardroom.

Business school is also an invaluable networking opportunity and a chance to meet

mentors in fellow students, professors, and campus speakers. A mentor can offer
industry advice and serve as a sounding board for new ideas. Mentors can also
become important career sponsors, offering professional opportunities and helping
ambitious and talented women to take their next step up the career ladder.
“The biggest thing I left my MBA with, beyond the hard skills, was this better
sense of confidence in myself. Business school was so much more than learning
about finance and accounting. It can be intimidating when you’re one of the only
women in the room at a work meeting. I have a lot more confidence when I’m in
those situations now.”

– Justine Stacey, Hult MBA Class of 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLeoqonLUMQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5lOWDT6_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjdB8u0Izws
https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/women-in-business
https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/women-in-business-
2021/