By: Ma. Fernanda Camacho (Translated by Patricia Minski)
we support equity
The participation of women in the labor field is an issue that still has much to be debated and changed.
The belief that women have fewer capabilities compared to men is what has led to the existence, in the 21st century, of inequality and injustice in the professional field.
According to UN Women, the percentage of employed men in 2013 stood at 72.2% whereas the employment rate for women was only 47.1%.
Likewise, women earn less than men; in most countries, women on average earn only 60-75% of men’s wages. This is in addition to the fact that women are much less likely to work in the formal employment sector than men.
Adding to the above, according to 2017 data provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the labor participation rate of women in Latin America and the Caribbean exceeded 50% for the first time. However, this figure is still below that of men. In addition, women’s unemployment is higher and the wage gap is 15%.
Figures in Ecuador
According to figures provided in 2020 by the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment (Enemdu) of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), the rate of adequate employment in Ecuador for women was 26.4%, while it was 36.2% for men.
In addition, 8% of the 3.3 million women who are part of Ecuador’s economically active population were unemployed. This represents an increase of two percentage points compared to 2019. Thus, in one year, 48,947 women became unemployed. The unemployment rate for men was 5.7%.
Regarding the impact of women executives in the Ecuadorian labor market, Deloitte & Touche (professional services firm) conducted a study in 2019 of 94 multinational corporations that employ over 40,500 people and have sales of $4.9 billion or greater.
The results indicated that only 9% of women held positions of president or general manager and only 7% were vice presidents or assistant managers.
conclusion
In conclusion, data reveals that gender equity is still an unclear issue in society. We need to work hard to generate change in the labor participation rate of women. It is unfortunate that in this day and age we are still talking about gender inequity in the world.
Today more than ever it is essential to understand that being a woman does not equate to weakness. It is essential that, once and for all, we understand that skills and abilities are not governed by gender. It is time to understand that we are all human beings and we deserve the same rights and opportunities.
