- Chiara Marcati: “To accelerate the pathway to gender parity, we must prioritise education, fix the structural foundation, and create a conducive environment in which we are aware of our biases.”
Dubai, UAE: McKinsey & Company released findings from its latest report – Middle East Women at Work – at Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020, which highlighted the importance of advancing gender parity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The two-day GWFD 2020, taking place at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, will conclude on 17 February.
During a session at GWFD 2020’s Economy Hub, Chiara Marcati, Partner at McKinsey & Company, who has been involved in various projects related to gender diversity and inclusion over the past decade, said that “advancing gender parity in the region stands to be such a driver of change.”
Marcati explained that the Fourth Industrial Revolution can create opportunities for women through automation, digitisation, online platforms and the rise of entrepreneurship. “Automation means women can access sectors that are traditionally male-oriented.” She also highlighted that demand for technological skills is set to rise 55 per cent by 2030, making digital tools and advanced analytics a vital component of creating workforce opportunities for women.
While online platforms such as LinkedIn are helping with networking, women are less likely to ask for referrals and apply for 20 per cent fewer jobs than male counterparts.
“I am very excited about the rise of entrepreneurship. Humanity is great at inventing jobs and there are significant returns for the self-starters who want to achieve something for themselves,” said Marcati. McKinsey’s report highlights that women-owned or partially owned enterprises generate 2.5 times the return of others.
The research also indicates that there are several factors driving female representation in professional and technical jobs, including education, digital inclusion, financial inclusion and legal protection.
“We must create more role models for young girls by choosing study fields that offer more digital skills. Also, 69 million women in MENA are still not using the internet, and many women in the region remain unbanked, often as a result of not having identification documents,” Marcati continued.
In terms of remuneration for equal work, women are still being paid less than men for freelance jobs – about 20-45 per cent less. The survey also highlighted the unsupportive work environment that women often face, with research indicating women’s judgement is being questioned five times more than men.
Summarising the next steps, Marcati added: “To accelerate the pathway to gender parity, we must prioritise education, fix structural foundation, and create a conducive environment in which we are aware of our biases. Awareness is solving half the problem; we must keep talking about it.”
Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020 is organised by Dubai Women Establishment, which is led by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Building on its theme, ‘The Power of Influence’, Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020 will highlight how effective policies and partnerships in four key areas – Government, Economy, Society, and the Future – can further women’s positive impact for a better future.
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About Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020:
Global Women's Forum Dubai (GWFD) 2020 is an international event being held on February 16-17, 2020 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is organised by Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
Building on its theme ‘The Power of Influence’, GWFD 2020 offers a global platform to discuss improved policies and foster partnerships that further women’s positive impact across four key areas: government, economy, society, and future. The event aims to engage over 3,000 attendees – including global leaders, public and private sector experts, as well as entrepreneurs, academics and students – through workshops and keynote sessions.
The Forum’s Knowledge Partner is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Alongside the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), DWE is also co-organising the We-Fi MENA Regional Summit – a side-line event that will host entrepreneurs from the region’s emerging economies.
In line with the UAE’s ongoing commitment to advance gender balance across all sectors, GWFD 2020 will drive female engagement and participation in the workforce, and is a testament to the country’s position as a global role model for the advancement of women.
About Dubai Women Establishment:
Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) was formed in 2006 as a statutory body of Dubai Government by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai. DWE is headed by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The Establishment’s mission is to advance the engagement and socio-economic participation of women across various sectors and fields. DWE’s strategic plan 2017-2021 focuses on providing recommendations to shape policies; fostering strategic partnerships; developing capacity-building programmes; as well as conducting in-depth research and facilitating the exchange of knowledge by organising global events and leading initiatives.
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