Mentorship: The Solution To The 134-Year Gender Gap
Shikha Bajaj | Award-Winning Author, Mentor, Transformation Leader.\
134 years! If we don't redesign the system within which we work, interact and provide support, this is the amount of time it will take to achieve gender equality at a global level, based on the World Economic Forum's "Global Gender Gap 2024" report.
However, we don't need to accept this timeline. Change can happen faster—if women are willing to step into their power and support one another, and if men truly become allies in the quest for gender balance. And it's not just about balance; it is about human prosperity, more opportunities and a better world. At the center of this transformation? Mentorship.
Do you remember the best leader you've ever worked under? Most likely, they were not the only one at the top. Behind successful individuals is a group of mentors, sponsors and nurturers who assisted them throughout their career. Companies that promote mentorship are not only helping individuals but also creating teams that are more robust, innovative and stronger at problem-solving.
Effective businesses know that investing in mentorship not only helps employees build successful careers but also strengthens a culture of trust.
Undoubtedly, life as a woman in the workforce is challenging. From being talked over during a staff meeting to being sidelined in various leadership positions, the challenges are endless. However, supporting other women can drastically change everything.
I have seen that when women support each other through mentorship programs, friendship or even just someone to talk to, they help each other profoundly. With a little effort, we can demolish some of the obstacles standing in the way of work becoming a place where we all flourish.
When women mentor other women, sponsor them and advocate for their causes:
• There is increased confidence, as when someone believes in you, you are compelled to believe in yourself.
• Incrementally, more women assume leadership positions, resulting in the cycle of underrepresentation being broken.
• Slowly, barriers begin to break for subsequent generations to benefit.
This support, however, must be genuine and not shallow. This means recognizing one another's achievements, creating opportunities for other women to join the table and not subscribing to the fallacy that success is a scarce commodity.
The ugly truth? If women are the sole ones advocating for gender equity, change will be minimal. Men need to support women through mentoring and beyond as sponsors, advocates and allies.
Despite the increase in trainings to promote inclusion, the organization Lean In finds that men are still far less likely than women to recognize and respond to microaggressions against women. For these men, the reality is that they do not know how to be allies.
An ally does not focus on dominating the conversation. Instead, an ally builds the frameworks for women to speak and lead. That includes listening to women, promoting their voices and actively engaging in the work. Moreover, an ally speaks out when they see bias, fights for equal wages and uses power in ways that facilitate constructive change.
This extends beyond the field of business. It is a matter for humanity. Gender equity creates greater economies, improved communities and a more equitable world.
Per McKinsey, eliminating the gender disparity would increase the global GDP by $28 trillion. Ultimately, mentoring is not limited to improving career success. It involves breaking out of the cycles of underrepresentation and improving entire communities. Empowering one individual creates impacts that last for generations.
My work with the #OwnYourColor movement is dedicated to the simple but profound idea that when people show up fully as themselves and support others in doing the same, we all rise.
134 years is too long to wait. The world needs all of us—our voices, our differences and our commitment to lifting one another up.
Corporate leaders: It's time to invest in mentorship, sponsorship and allyship. By creating room for diverse leadership, we move toward a future where everyone can thrive. Let's create that world—together.
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