Amidst a complex international landscape marked by ongoing conflicts, economic concerns, and electoral dynamics, March 8th marks International Women’s Day. Nevertheless, it is crucial to take stock of the progress, achievements, and setbacks in gender equality indicators that society has fought for over a century.
Over the past few decades, female performance indicators have grown in many fields. According to UN Women, more women now hold positions as heads of state or government. They also frequently lead ministries in many countries, and their numbers are growing in top leadership positions in corporations, banks, chambers of commerce, and other areas. Furthermore, their visibility in non-profit organizations is increasingly evident.
However, it is clear that progress is slower in some areas, and even setbacks can be detected. The latest Avon Progress Report on Women’s Global Progress, published annually by the beauty company Avon, a leader in such initiatives, reveals that the number of women who believe that income and salary inequalities exist has increased from 46% in 2023 to 52% in 2024.
The study also reveals that 53% of women believe that barriers are preventing them from starting their own businesses or becoming entrepreneurs. The number of respondents who believe that it is more difficult for women to reach a senior management position in a large company has increased. However, more single women are now buying homes than their male counterparts.
The disadvantages of being a woman are also reflected in the effort to achieve greater gender equality. This, in turn, should not be seen as a mere parity of numbers or women in positions of relevance, but also of laws that recognize and reward the invisible work that usually falls on women’s shoulders.
It is important to analyze the situation of women who choose to be mothers. In many cases, having 3 or 4 children can negatively affect their chances of promotion to corporate positions. This is due to the responsibilities of parenting, which can make it difficult to pursue professional development. In contrast, women who do not have children have more freedom to dedicate time to their careers, which allows them to climb positions more easily. This translates into better chances of obtaining a higher pension in the future.
However, the money for their pension will be produced by the first woman’s 4 children, who are now the productive population. This creates an injustice due to the inability of governments to recognize and reward the commitments and burdens of motherhood.
During Women’s History Month, it is also important to seize the moment to condemn the violence that continues to prevail in many homes. Another worrying indicator is that of security, as 72% of respondents said they feel unsafe walking alone at night, exercising outdoors, traveling on public transportation, or taking a taxi.
These are just some of the struggles faced by women in this country. As more women integrate into decision-making positions, more progress will be made.
At the local level, in Pennsylvania, and particularly in Philadelphia, which has just elected its first female mayor, women in general and Latinas in particular have been leaving a mark of excellence that has accelerated their rise to leadership positions. It suffices to mention public leaders such as María Quiñones, Nilda Ruiz, Alba Martínez, Carolina di Giorgio, Johana Otero, Quetcy Lozada, and many others.
In this edition, Impacto highlights Cynthia Figueroa, a Puerto Rican professional who currently heads JEVS, one of the largest and most prestigious non-profits in the country. She manages a team of nearly two thousand employees and volunteers and benefits more than one and a half million people with her educational, solidarity, and home care campaigns, including many immigrants, especially refugees from all backgrounds.
Let us hope that the high leadership of Philadelphia, which will have a strong female presence at the helm for the next few years, will help to advance the search for women’s equity in all fields. However, this must begin by recognizing those areas where their disadvantaged situation must be balanced through laws and regulations that help to restore the balance.
