The very slow march toward gender equality

This weekend the G20 is expected to finalise an announcement on how they will close the gender pay gap. They have (finally) realised that in order to live out their mandate as an economic forum they need to better consider women's efforts.

Excuse the cynicism, but I'm surprised it has taken this long.

Jeff Borland from the University of Melbourne has found that women-dominated occupations fail to have above-average income increases. Additionally, the Yale-educated professor, found that there has not been a uniform rise in female/male earnings ratio within occupations. Men's wages were growing faster than women's.

The lack of women's representation in the economy, especially at senior levels, is a cause for concern for everyone.

Not only should we be asking "where are these women going?" – because I am sure we can all name a handful; we must also consider why the market isn't trying to find these women in a more rigorous way.

When I speak with human resource managers and executives I ask them about gender diversity in their organisation. There is some innovative and transformational work being done.

Some organisations have a long way to go. Asking them why they lag is important. Why should the status quo remain? Should organisations be looking for the best talent?

Talent is not gendered – it is not held only by men or only by women.

For me, this is not a political issue or in women's interest alone – it is in the national interest that more women are active in the economy.

There are some who will say that competent women will merely rise to the challenge. That is true. I know some of those women, and they would agree that they have been fortunate.

It cannot be denied that there are talented and capable women who can lead and serve in prominent roles in the economy. Every senior woman I have spoken to on this issue has had a moment in their career where they have realised that gender equality is an issue.

Often it comes at a point of outward discrimination to a woman junior to them or when they are the only woman in the room.