Women in business continue to face hurdles and challenges that men do not. It is true that enormous strides have been made, particularly considering the relatively limited time period that women have had to bring their objectives and concerns to the fore in society at large, but not remotely enough.
The right of American women to vote was codified in the 19th amendment to the US Constitution in 1920. Women in the UK got the vote on the same terms as men in 1928. While SA granted the right to vote to white women on the same basis as white men in 1930, universal suffrage was achieved only in 1994.
Today, SA has the third highest proportion of companies (75%) employing women as senior managers. We also have the eighth highest proportion of women in senior management posts (26%), according to a survey by accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton. This beats the global average by 7%.
The Businesswomen`s Association commissioned a census called The South African Women in Corporate Leadership. According to this census, 41% of the working population is female. In JSE Securities Exchange-listed companies and the largest government enterprises, 14.7% of executive managers and 7.1% of board members are female. But it is clear that while much progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.
The resistance to women in business runs deeper than we think, and is not purely intellectually based. The truth is that we continue to live in a predominantly male-dominated business world, in which women (and men) have to confront entrenched views about the place of women in business and society. Part of the problem also comes from the male tendency to never be seen to be weak or vulnerable. Historically, men were not allowed to display weakness - this could result in death. Survival required men to be seen as hunters, warriors and leaders, almost bulletproof figures of stature. Viking society, for example, distinguished able-bodied, virile men from all other people.
Women in the world of work
Women started moving out of the home into business only in the latter part of the 20th century. In recent decades women entered the professions in their numbers, becoming doctors, lawyers, accountants and architects. They also entered the corporate world where they began to climb the vertical ladder, only to be confronted by a reinforced glass ceiling. To break through that ceiling, they had to work that much harder, and be that much better, than their male counterparts.
Given some of the challenges women face, it is imperative that they remain true to themselves.
Bryan Hattingh, CEO, Cycan.
Today, women still encounter resistance in the workplace, and in certain instances they are still paid less than their male counterparts.
One of the ironies is that women who cross the divide have the ability to have more influence than their male counterparts. This is largely because of their greater levels of emotional quotient and intuition. One big challenge is dealing with the inferences that they may have slept their way to the top.
The road to the boardroom has been an arduous and obstacle-intensive one. Ironically, some of the biggest sexists are women themselves. I have witnessed unrivalled professional jealousy between certain women which has translated into demeaning interactions. It is particularly the case when married couples are in business together; all too often questions asked are "Do you answer the phone?" or "Are you Jack`s secretary?" This when women could easily be the more significant partner or contributor in the business. While pursuing their careers women have to, simultaneously, be a partner, homebuilder, mother and wife.
In the midst of this, women should but seldom do find the time to focus on themselves. Men simply do not have the same challenges to face, particularly when it comes to parenting. Remember that it is only in the last two or three decades that men have become involved in the birth process!
Women have to deal not only with juggling career and family, but also with the stress that arises from guilt - are they working hard enough, are they neglecting their children? What happens when the children are sick, or when school events have to be attended? What about women who earn more than their husbands? Yet another source of guilt. And the rising divorce rates are testimony to insurmountable differences that develop in marriages which are placed under threat by empowerment of the female spouse.
On the flip side of the coin are women who become obsessed with proving they are tougher and meaner than men, going all out to emulate them instead of maintaining their own identities. Former HP supremo Carly Fiorina is a prime example of the type of woman who, in trying to imitate men instead of retaining her own identity, made - and paid for - some very bad business decisions.
Given some of the challenges women face, it is imperative that they remain true to themselves, and take time out to question what they want and why they want it. All individuals must follow their hearts and avoid being sucked into simply climbing the corporate ladder - unless they are certain that is where they want to be. Women in particular must ensure they crystallise for themselves what they want out of life and how they are going to achieve balance.
Ultimately, it`s not about competing, but about collaborating. Without trying to assign particular characteristics to either men or women, both genders have complementary qualities. Harnessing these and encouraging people to move in and out of gender-specific zones will provide organisations of the future with the best of both worlds. With the lines becoming ever more blurred, we can hopefully look forward to a "de-gendered" workforce in which people are encouraged to give of their personal best and work together in achieving individual and collective success.
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