Gender Inequality in the Workplace Still Exists for Women, Here’s Why

Women's rights have come a long way, but it takes time for culture to shift, policy to change, and people to open their minds. Women comprise 47% of the U.S. workforce but only 28% of all executive-level positions. 7% of all organizations only have one woman in an executive position, and women of color make up even less of this number. 

While women now apply for roles that overlooked them in the past, they still face discrimination along the way. 

Myth: Women “Don’t Advocate for Themselves”

In the 2000s and 2010s, there was a larger push for women to start negotiating their salaries—a game men played for years. Once research about the gender pay gap became mainstream, many universities and books started preaching the power of self-advocacy in the interview and annual review process. The problem, these findings claimed, was that men were better able to advocate for themselves and ask for higher pay. 

A survey of master’s degree holders revealed that women more often accept their first offer, whereas men were eight times more likely to negotiate higher pay. Men were also more likely to apply to a job that they only met 60% of the qualifications for, while women would only apply if they met 100%

Today, women are getting better at advocating for themselves. However, research released at the end of 2023 revealed that women are now more likely than men to ask for better compensation. Still, women hear "no" more often and earn less as a result. The problem persists, and women can’t be responsible for solving a problem on an individual basis that systemic patriarchy established.

Women Entrepreneurs Face Similar Discrimination

Tired of being denied access to the ladder their male counterparts get to climb, some women take on life as entrepreneurs. While being financially self-sufficient requires commitment and hard work, building a life and income around your personal goals and values can be incredibly fulfilling. However, a 2019 study revealed that women received an average of 8% less capital investment than their male counterparts.

Mothers and The Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shocking drop in women in the workforce, down to 55% in February 2021, the lowest it’s been since 1987. Less access to child care and a nationwide trend of layoffs left women without work, and many chose to stay that way. A 2023 study revealed that layoffs in the tech industry hit women more than men, at a rate of 65%. The pandemic affected working mothers the most, as 1.4 million of them left the workforce entirely by 2021.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing motherhood over a career. Rejoining the workforce later on, however, can be difficult after experiencing long gaps in work. Ironically, it’s not like women didn't “work” for years, doing unpaid labor like childcare and homemaking. If they didn’t do it themselves, it’d be an expense to outsource via nanny, daycare, pre-school, or extracurricular activities.

How the Workforce Treats Mothers vs. Fathers

Not only does the schedule of motherhood often prevent women from finding work, but biases against mothers also prevent them from getting hired. HR professionals in some industries are taught to ask certain questions in interviews and keep fake images of their “family” visible on their desks or Zoom backgrounds to trigger conversations about children. If a woman admits she has them, some companies will automatically blacklist candidates and cite different reasons for it. 

Women are seen as more committed to their families than their jobs, so they’re considered less for promotions, offers, and more reasonable salaries. (Even though according to AAUW estimates, men with the same family situation earn an average of 119% of what men without children do.)

Trying to make a life for yourself in a world made up of stereotypes, closed minds, and misunderstandings can feel frustrating and enraging. Instead of drowning under the weight of it, consider working with a therapist to help manage the cognitive dissonance of the working world and invest in your self-esteem in a world that constantly questions your intelligence. Schedule your first appointment today for therapy for professionals or counseling for women.