Equal Status of Professional Women in Business and Society - Essay Example

Running head: equal status of professional women 14th March Introduction Despite access to education for both men and women and political participation, women are usually underrepresented in the leadership positions worldwide. This means despite education and sensitization for equal opportunity for both genders, gender disparity still exist in many countries like Canada among others. Gender inequality is one of the most factors that do affect women through historical events, socioeconomic, cultural and even in the institutions like companies and banks among others. This shows that women hold few positions in business both in Canada and internationally. The paper seeks to discuss gender quotas for top jobs encourage equality or tokenism in Canada. Competence For women to have equal opportunity like the opposite sex, the government of Canada should consider women being on the board not only because they have the right but also they should be on the board because they are competent individuals. This means that equal opportunity for women and men depends on the education background and not gender whenever there is a chance for top jobs in the companies. Gender discrimination has been part and parcel of the government where women are not involved in boardrooms due to the fact that they are women, but today women are competent like men and they are able to handle any top management positions and manage it well (Newman, 2012). The issue of incompetence has been revolving around since in the past, women were not put in election lists to be nominated for elections to boards simply because of gender discrimination. Despite women being competent they have not been considered as able individuals, the Canadian government should consider competence of individual when there is an opportunity and gender should not be a factor that the government should look in the top jobs. Balance leadership In Canada, imbalance of women in the positions of power has been the trend though globally the same disparity exists. This means that companies together with the government should implement gender quotas in order to encourage greater equality between men and women (Glendyne, 2011). Leadership balance can be a long lasting solution to gender equality where the government should incorporate women in the political positions of power. Despite women advancing in education, they have been underrepresented in the leadership positions where they are discriminated due to gender. Balance of leadership can only be achieved when the government of Canada will set aside certain leadership positions to the women and men should not be allowed to contest with the women. This is because many individuals do believe that there is a direct connection between gender diversity and financial success where women financially they are not stable. The only solution to attain balance leadership is by forcing the situation in the Canada thus achieving balanced leadership between women and men. Women organizations Women can sensitize each other through women international organizations where they can work and empower other women in the business thus fighting for their rights. Women organizations in Canada can work since the girl child today is being educated where some years back a girl child was not allowed to be educated due to cultural and tradition practices in the society (Wendy, 2007). The way a girl child is acquiring education and able to participate in sports without considering the gender the same equality should also be adopted in business areas. Canada should realize that women have a role to play in the government issues and leadership is not only for men but for both. This indicates that women should be part and parcel of leadership in the government and in companies top jobs should be on the basis of competence. The government of Canada should have the principles of Swedish approach to fairness since gender equality is one of the cornerstones of the modern society of Sweden. This means that Canada government should have an aim of gender equality policies so that women and men can enjoy the same opportunity. Similarly, women should have the same right and obligations in all aspects of life without considering that they are women. This principle is that everyone in Canada regardless of gender has the right to work in the companies and in government positions so that they can support themselves. The aim of equal opportunity to all is to ensure that there is a balance career and family life in Canada thus ensuring that one can live without fear of abuse or violence because an individual is just a woman. The policy if implemented, can lead to women being in boardroom and attain top jobs in the companies since competence is the idea and not the gender. Knowledge and experience Despite equal distribution between men and women in all domains of the society, there is need to ensure qualitative aspects in Canada. This can only be achieved by ensuring that experience and knowledge is given to the women since one can be educated but experience to rule and manage in the companies and in government positions does not have (Henry, 2011). This means despite education there is need to get experience to individual so as to promote progress in all aspects of society. The government of Canada can implement this by conducting internship to the women who graduate from different universities and colleges. This means that when women in Canada have graduates, they should be given a priority in areas like economics, politics, education and in health where they should be involved in the society activities. Gender equality at school This is where the government of Canada should consider most since this is the point where gender equality can first be implemented and then the rest would follow. This means that children should be given the same opportunity in school life regardless of their gender (Kimmel 2011). The young generation will have to consider gender equality since the issue has been addressed in the school from when they were children to adulthood. The young generation will have to implement the idea since it is something that has been prepared to help the future generations. The Canada government should start to implement gender equality from the schools so that the trend can continue to the companies and in top government positions. Gender mainstreaming This is a situation where the Canadian government should consider gender equality in the work of government agencies at all levels. This is because gender equality is a continual process where it cannot be separated or isolated. The idea is to ensure that a certain percentage either from 40 to 50 percent boardroom seats must go to women so that equality can be achieved in Canada. This concept will ensure that resources are distributed equally in the government positions thus enhancing gender equality. In Canada, gender mainstreaming should be enhanced so that the Canadian government can achieve targets within equality policy. This can only be achieved by the government if they can sensitize individuals who operate in the companies and those in the government who do not like gender equality. The government should be in forefront to campaign for the same thus having gender equality in the companies and in government positions. Conclusion The government of Canada must ensure that competence is the only way that can be used to offer job opportunities since if they are not going to consider competence then gender equality cannot be achieved. Leadership balance must be taken into account in Canada including providing equal opportunities for men and women in the government positions and in the companies. References Glendyne, R, (2011).  Sisters in the Faith: Shaker Women and Equality of the Sexes. Amherst: Massachusetts Press. Henry, W. (2011). The numbers of female, black, Latino, Asian and gay partners and associates lag significantly behind their representation in the citys population. Los Angeles: Los Angeles press. Kimmel, M, (2011). The Gendered Society Reader. New York: Oxford press. Newman, J. (2012). Women, Politics, and Public Policy: The Political Struggles of Canadian Women. Don Mills: Oxford press. Wendy, R, (2007). The Shakers and the Woman’s Rights Movement. Lexington: Kentucky University press. Read More