Blogging from A to Z 2022 - Opportunity

Welcome to Day 15 of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge (2022) I will be discussing topics of interest to those who identify as women this year. The Book Connection is lucky number 78 in a list of more than 140 bloggers who are participating in 2022. I encourage you to check out the list and visit other blogs with topics of interest. 

OPPORTUNITY 

In the years since I've become an adult, the opportunities for women have increased. Though I still make less than my husband, who has a four year degree, the pay gap has tightened. His Corporate America job also offers the benefits, since insurance is more affordable that way. Seeing the current focus on celebrating and empowering girls and young women, means a brighter future for our daughters. There is, however, still work to be done.  

In December 2017, the International Labour Organization published one of their InfoStories on "The gender gap in employment: What's holding women back?"  They updated this report in February 2022. They stated that in the United States, the labor force difference between male and female is 11.2% (male 66.4% versus female 55.2%). 

Helping out in their households is one reason women have a harder time finding work than men. Women spend three times more hours on unpaid housework than men do. Another reason is stated as maternity coverage. The report says that although most countries provide some maternity protection for employed women, almost 66% are not entitled to paid maternity leave. Lack of affordable childcare in developed countries impacts the probability of women entering the labor force. Both men and women agree that the largest barrier for women in paid work is the struggle to balance it with family responsibilities. Something we talked about with the letter B on April 2. 

Stepping back a bit in time, the April 2020 survey from Pew Research Center shows that while 54% believe men have more opportunities to get high-paying jobs, 94% think it is important for women in their country to have the same rights as men do. 

What is important to note as we think about opportunities for female entrepreneurs and business women is that a fair amount of discussion over the last few years has been how women-owned businesses are key to economic growth. In a March 2022 article, CNBC contributor Hannah Miao cited a Citigroup report that states, "achieving gender parity in business growth could boost global gross domestic product by as much as $2 trillion, or 2% to 3% of global GDP." The same report stated gender equality could generate between 288 million and 433 million jobs.

Here is a list of the Top 15 Most Famous Female Entrepreneurs published two weeks ago. Click here.