Ernst & Young Highlights Women's Contributions to Global Economy
Ernst & Young recently released a report, Groundbreakers: Using the strength of women to rebuild the global economy, during the World Economic Forum that highlighted the significant and proven contributions women make toward business and economic growth. The report builds a powerful case for the advancement of women around the world as an overlooked and untapped way to meet the challenges of our global economy.
As the world works to recover from the current financial crisis, the report is a resource for private sector and government leaders seeking to advance gender equity initiatives around the world. "At a time when our global economy is facing its greatest challenge in decades, we have to capitalize on the contributions women make as leaders, entrepreneurs and employees," noted James S. Turley, global chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young. "It's time to place renewed emphasis on women's advancement and women's perspectives as a key tool in moving businesses and economies ahead."
The report analyzes the most compelling and current research on:
- The importance of women as an economic force
- The wide occupational and wage disparities between women and men
- The power of critical mass
- Diversity as a mathematical equation for success
Sources include The World Economic Forum, Goldman Sachs, The White House Project, Catalyst, the United Nations, McKinsey & Company, The European Commission and many others. It also compiles commentary on key women's issues from leading academics, NGOs, policymakers and global business leaders.
"It is in everyone's best interest to bring qualified women into leadership positions, especially now when fresh perspectives are needed," noted Ilene H. Lang, president and CEO of Catalyst. "We can no longer afford to set gender boundaries around leadership. The power is in the purse strings: until women are equitably represented in leadership in the private, economic sector, they will be marginalized in every other arena. What's good for women is good for men, business and the global economy."
