They’ve moved into the CEO’s seat, but are women truly equal in the workforce? A survey recently conducted by bayt.com, an online recruitment website, tried to gauge the level of gender equality in the region’s work force. While 68 per cent of women in the Middle East and North African region felt they were treated equal to men at work, 31 per cent felt they received lesser pay.
So, if the attitude towards women in the workforce has apparently changed, why do some women feel it does not reflect on their salaries? This week, Gulf News readers joined a debate on gender equality in the workforce and debated whether there is still some work that needs to be done. Post your thoughts on our Facebook page ‘Gulf News Al Nisr Publishing UAE’ or send them to readers@gulfnews.com
14:06 Gulf News: The attitude towards women has changed but the salary hasn’t.
14:07 Fatima Khan: Contrary to popular belief that women are paid less, the bayt.com site brought out some interesting statistics. The Wall Street Journal reported in September last year that the earning power of young single women has surpassed that of their male peers in metropolitan areas around the US, a shift driven by the growing ranks of women who attend colleges and move on to high-earning jobs.
14:07 Mary Mae Villarubia: I think it also depends on your position in the company. Not all are given opportunities.
14:10 Sunil Roy: Women have started playing a major role in organisations across the globe. The disparity in salary is definitely not correct. People should be paid according to what they contribute rather than on who they are.
14:10 Ramachandran Nair: In general, women workers are still considered dependent, hence many of their entitlements are taken away. The concept needs a change here. Ever since women started taking responsibilities and being assigned to responsible positions, massive changes have been evidenced in the overall attitude towards them; which is quite positive and should be encouraged. However, when it comes to salaries and benefits, organisational culture and traditions are some of the factors that still push women back.
14:13 Maha Abidi: Management generally plays a role here. If they are good and do not discriminate between men and women, then all is well.
14:14 Gulf News: Working women think they have less chance of being promoted than their male counterparts.
14:16 Ramachandran Nair: It is a wrong perception. The modern work atmosphere has changed massively as being promoted is purely based on overall performance supported with one’s dedication and sincerity.
14:18 Mary Mae Villarubia: I don’t think so. If the management knows you deserve to be promoted why would they block the promotion? This is not true. Based on my experience and observations, women are promoted even when their bosses are men.
14:18 Anureet Kaur: I think it depends from situation to situation; as for Dubai I don’t think this is a problem. For example, there are so many Emirati women, like filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja who have been acclaimed for their award-winning movies. They don’t need any promotion; and yet they work.
14:19 Sunil Roy: I feel that this is just a perception. The perception may be due to basic insecurity. Today, it is quite difficult for decision-makers to overlook a person, be it a woman or a man, if their performance is good.
14:21 Mathew Litty: One of the main differences between men and women is that men tend to speak up about their career goals, and women think their performance will speak for itself. The one who usually gets the promotion is the one who wants it most and asks for it.
14:24 Gulf News: Most women prefer to work under a female boss.
14:25 Maha Abidi: May be they can communicate well [with a woman] and if they have problems with the work or the environment, it can be sorted out well, too.
14:26 Fatima Khan: Some women feel a certain comfort level under a female boss. It is the same case with men preferring to work under a male boss. However, with changing times people are adjusting to the changes.
14:29 Sunil Roy: I have worked under both men and women. Though the working styles were different the ultimate results were the same. I feel it is the person who makes the difference. To a large extent, it also reflects on how as an employee you live up to the overall organisational goals and objectives .
14:32 Gulf News: Motherhood doesn’t impede personal career growth.
14:35 Mary Mae Villarubia: Motherhood has never been a hurdle, it is in fact a way to help you climb the ladder. Your children are your support and a key to becoming a successful working mum.
14:35 Mathew Litty: We should recognise motherhood as an extremely important job, but it is one that is unfortunately devalued in society. A child’s mother is meant to be the pillar of that child’s progression through life. She is supposed to teach and care for that child and it takes a great deal to be a good mother. These women are educated in a premier university and have made excellent decisions in life that contribute to well thought-out plans for their families.
14:37 Fatima Khan: Motherhood doesn’t necessarily impede personal career growth. Marriage may be a bigger hurdle because one has to adjust with a new environment. However, motherhood just adds joy to the comforts at home.
14:38 Fatima Yousuf: I think if a woman has taken a responsibility to take care of their house and work, she should be able to balance both. Children do need a mother, so women have to equally split the time between work and their personal life, as both are important.
14:39 Mathew Litty: Accepting a woman’s roles and choices, regardless of what those are, is important. The women’s movement was meant to open new doors, not close old traditional ones that may still be extremely important in our society.
