Webinar: Beyond legislation – new research reveals what’s really stopping women from progressing in European corporates
Beyond legislation – new research reveals what’s really stopping women from progressing in European corporates
Missed the live event or want to revisit this important conversation? You can now access the full webinar recording below. Watch as our experts delve into the findings of our latest research report, The reality gap: three barriers to women’s advancement in European corporates, sharing country-specific insights, and offering practical steps to drive meaningful change in your organisation.
Why this conversation matters now
As the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 nears its conclusion, this webinar raises an urgent question: how much progress has truly been made? While legislation is essential, our research highlights that real change requires organisations to dismantle systemic barriers and embed equity into workplace culture.
Are women already experiencing the impact of the strategy in their daily lives? How long will it take before we see changes in women’s actual employment experiences? To answer these questions, we used our scientifically tested Three Barriers to Women’s Progression Diagnostic across four European countries: Germany, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, surveying 2,394 women.
Some key takeaways
- The persistence of gender stereotypes: More than one in two women experienced low self-confidence, microaggressions and generalised views of their abilities based on gender stereotypes.
- Voices left unheard: Women across all four countries expressed a fear of speaking up in meetings due to concerns about professional repercussions.
- Intersectional challenges: Disabled women and Black women face compounded inequities, from lack of workplace support to disproportionate domestic responsibilities, making it harder to thrive in professional settings.
- The weight of the Double Burden: Over 50% of executive women feel they are ‘failing as parents’, a stark reminder of the urgent need for workplaces that prioritise balance alongside leadership development.
Next steps for your organisation
Whether your organisation operates in a single country or spans multiple geographies, explore our webinar to learn how these findings can inform a targeted approach to advancing gender equity. Want to dive deeper and gain strategic insights for your organisation? Download our full report, The Reality Gap: Three Barriers to women’s advancement in European corporates and take the next step toward fostering equitable workplaces.