Comparing Gender Parity Around the Globe
How do world nations compare in regards to gender equality? There are many positive socio-economic effects to having an inclusive workforce where a high number of female participants are on equal footing with men, including faster economic growth and increased company profits. Click on a country for an overview of their history and some key statistics – and read the micro-profiles of MBA alumnae who have leveraged the strength of a graduate business school education to help advance personally and professionally.
We’ve looked in detail at over 30 countries around the world, collating data from a number of sources including the UN, and our own GMAT exam uptake figures, to see how each nation stacks up.
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Argentina
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1947:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
98.13%
Women
98.04%
Men
2015
Years of schooling
No data
Australia
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1962:
Voting equality
1880:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Amelia Zaina
Director, Emerging Markets division for Asia, American Express
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do (as a career) ... I’m fortunate that my broader undergraduate education gave me the ability to move industries and roles, which enabled me to build different skills and expertise from each and refine my current career aspirations.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
I have been fortunate to work for companies with active gender equality programs, so from an organization perspective, no it hasn’t. Also, I have maintained active male mentor relationships, which have strengthened my level of command and confidence. This has helped in situations where I feel out of my depth or are leading discussions in a room full of male senior leaders.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
I hope that in 10 years time, we are not still having the gender equality and salary quality debate. Trends show that women in leadership roles are increasing, which is positive, but the change is moving slowly. I anticipate that in 2025, the gender split will be closer to 50:50 and for women, having the same opportunities and outcome in business as men, will not be a luxury, it will be the norm.
Belgium
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1948:
Voting equality
1883:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Micheline Wille
VP Medical Affairs Europe, Raptor Pharmaceuticals (studied at Vlerick Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
My education has been crucial in my career choices and opportunities ... It is only when I decided to leave the clinical environment that it became clear that I needed to broaden my knowledge in order to be in pole position for the best opportunities in the health care industry.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
To some extent, yes - but it's more our own fault, I think. It has been demonstrated, for example, that women in general are less convinced that they are good candidates for promotions ... vs their male counterparts ... However, male careers are very often still prioritised.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
I am not in favor of quotas - it is ultimately up to women to stand and speak up. It should be a personal - not forced - choice. Things only work if you really want them for yourself, not to please somebody else (although some encouragement might be needed).
Brazil
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1932:
Voting equality
1879:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
92.06%
Women
91.37%
Men
2014
Years of schooling
2014
Canada
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1951:
Voting equality
1880:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
We interview Sonja Rossteuscher
Managing Partner, Triple S Advisory & Consulting (University of St Gallen)
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Before having children, I would have said that the only real effect being a woman had on my career was that I was one of the only women in the room ... When I got pregnant with my first child, the tables turned a bit. My boss at the time was only interested to have me back in the role if I could return eight weeks after giving birth.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
I would tell my earlier self to be more forgiving with my women-staff members who had young families. I demanded a lot (too much?!) of them, and didn’t appreciate them as much as I should have!
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
I would like to think that it would be easier for women and particularly for working mothers to have equal opportunities. However, I am unsure that much will change ... Women cannot be on an equal footing with men when it comes to what they can give to their careers during their peak working years.
Chile
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1949:
Voting equality
1877:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
96.16%
Women
96.39%
Men
2013
Years of schooling
2013
China
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1949:
Voting equality
1920:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
We interview Kancy Xu
C-suite, Manulife (UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
My education guided my career choices and created many career opportunities for me. Without my education, I would have chosen different things to do, and I believe I would have much less opportunities to develop myself.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Not really. I am living in Shanghai, the most liberal city in China, and women can get the same good education and career opportunities, and the percentage of professional women is also the highest in China.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
I believe I would give myself longer time to develop my skills, especially interpersonal skills, when starting out in my career.
Egypt
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1956:
Voting equality
1971:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
67.18%
Women
82.63%
Men
2013
Years of schooling
No data
Finland
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1906:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
We interview Sara Montonen
CEMS MIM & MSc Economics Student at Aalto University School of Business
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
I think my family life and culture have definitely impacted my career. It is very important to me that I have a supportive family who encouraged me to pursue my dreams despite any setbacks. I think my culture has made me hard working and has taught me perseverance.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
I think in this respect the Finnish government is doing a good job. In general though, governments can help women in business by making more affordable, high quality childcare available. In many countries this seems to be one of the biggest obstacles women face.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
I think 10 years from now we will live in a more gender neutral place and it will be a lot easier for women to get to the top. I hope that in 10 years gender will no longer be an issue preventing anyone from achieving what they want.
France
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1944:
Voting equality
1880:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Emilie Cousteau
CEO, One World Lingerie (INSEAD)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
In two contradictory ways, one positive and one negative. The negative one: when your mind is formatted to go to the best schools for the intellectual elite... you find it difficult to get out of that track. Education did not teach me to think outside the box. The positive aspect: the networking, the opportunities, the international aspects offered by business school.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Have fun, although I was actually having fun. I was passionate and totally dedicated. I just wasn’t feeling confident enough to leave when it was no longer satisfactory ... If you are not enjoying it anymore, feel free and believe you’re free to move on. Don’t be scared.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Not sure they should encourage women in particular. I feel that today in education there is a good balance between male and female participation. It’s more in the corporate world, where salary equality should be enforced.
Germany
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1918:
Voting equality
1900:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Uta Anders
CFO & Member of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp System Engineering (ESMT)
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
No, it does not. What has a certain effect is my German background. I see myself as a typical German: being systematic and liking order. And I also believe that these are helpful characteristics in your career. To that extent, culture may have had an impact.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
1) Provide infrastructure for mothers. I was born in East Germany and there it was normal for a woman to work even with young children. That was only possible because the women had the support as there were kindergartens. 2) Supporting the image in the society that a working mum is not a bad mum.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
I hope that in 10 years from now we will not speak any more about quota, being a woman in business etc. All that should count is performance.
Greece
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1952:
Voting equality
1890:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
96.23%
Women
98.08%
Men
2011
Years of schooling
2015
India
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1950:
Voting equality
1879:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
59.28%
Women
78.88%
Men
2011
Years of schooling
2011
We interview Rashmi Rungta
IT/CRM Programme Manager/Director, Praja Controls & Systems (London Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
My education has prompted me to take on much bolder steps and try out new avenues that I would have been hesitant to take on earlier. I still have not realised my full potential or aspirations but am working towards it.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
Absolutely. I come from a very male-oriented culture and country. Being the youngest of 3 siblings and the only sister has not made it any easier. My family has supported me all along but also questioned and challenged me at the same time. Things are improving but it will not change overnight.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
The Government can introduce ... programmes to help propel careers of interested women in the industry ... irrespective of age and nationality ... Visa and immigration has been much spoken about recently, government needs to be smarter on this and allow sponsorship for deserving senior women candidates from Ivy League Schools, as diversity is also important here.
Israel
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1948:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
Italy
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1945:
Voting equality
1876:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
98.57%
Women
99.14%
Men
2011
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Silvia Agrestini
Group Account Director, Spring Studios (London Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
Less than I thought it would: I studied physiological psychology as an undergad and now I work in fashion advertising. After my undergrad I did an MA in Graphic Design then an MBA. Those helped me to get where I am now, but I never had this as a plan in my 20s.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Unfortunately sexism is still a reality, but the biggest challenge for women is to overcome their own internalised sexism ... It is time for women to be credited for their efforts and results. Let's be less shy about our achievements.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
Since I became a mother, I also became more conscious of my time. I now always make sure my time is used in the most efficient way possible and I am a lot less tolerant of people not coming prepared to meetings ... etc. I also believe it is a shame to see many women senior executives that have to choose between family and career.
Japan
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1947:
Voting equality
1913:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
Lebanon
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1952:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
Malaysia
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1957:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
We interview Sharifah Bakar Ali
Head, South East Asia Business Development, Gatehouse Bank Kuala Lumpur Representative Office (Cambridge Judge Business School)
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Both positively and adversely. Business development work requires patience and perseverance, virtues which, in my opinion, women naturally possess ... These attributes work to my advantage when leading teams in executing transactions ... On the flip side, I can get emotional at times, especially when I have to hand over certain tasks or roles to other colleagues.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
Yes, as these aspects shape one’s character, which is usually reflected in one’s professional behaviour ... I have been taught values that call for a deep sense of accountability within me. These principles have made me conscious of the fact that I will be held responsible for all my actions and deeds, one way or another.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
Women will prioritise work over starting a family ... I foresee women becoming less and less emotional and functioning more and more like their male counterparts as they mould themselves into pragmatic leaders.
Mexico
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1947:
Voting equality
1887:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
93.49%
Women
95.55%
Men
2015
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Maria Luisa Ortiz
Payroll Product Development Director, BBVA Bancomer (IPADE Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
A lot. Being an MBA graduate has certainly opened doors for me as a professional, and it has also opened my view of how business is done. I don't think I would be in my current position if I weren't an MBA graduate.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
Yes, cultural and family background affect the decisions I make and the way I see things ... That's why my values and communication with my family and close friends are so important: sometimes I have to make life decisions that are not traditional, such as leaving my home town and not getting married.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
Hopefully we will have the same chances as men to get to key positions, but mostly we will leave our own fears, personal barriers and guilt behind to become truly equal.
Netherlands
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1919:
Voting equality
1876:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Elizabeth van Geerestein
CEO, Papillon & Partners (Rotterdam School of Management)
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Believe you’re good enough and you have got what it takes to make it. You’re as good as the boys. Don’t waste a second feeding your insecurities. Kindle your passions; every day pursue your dreams. Keep going, don’t let setbacks deter you.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Reward and highlight profile companies that promote women to senior positions. Showcase and profile women of different backgrounds and ethnicities succeeding in business. Don’t forget the boys, we need empowered men and empowered women, otherwise it’s out of balance.
What do you think it will be like for women in business ten years from now?
I have three daughters and I am trusting they will start their careers in a world that radically recognises the potential and value that both women and men bring to the workforce.
Peru
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1955:
Voting equality
1908:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
91.19%
Women
97.19%
Men
2016
Years of schooling
2015
Philippines
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1937:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
96.79%
Women
96.01%
Men
2013
Years of schooling
2013
Russia
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1918:
Voting equality
1905:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
We interview Olga Steidl
Business Development & Investor Relationship Consultant, Olga Steidl Digital (Graduate School of Management, St Petersburg University)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
A lot. I was able not only to study my core subject IT Management, but also attend marketing track courses. By combining these two, I created a unique niche for myself - marketing IT products.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Yes. For a man it takes a lot of energy and knowledge to stand out in a meeting with men only in the room, but you are in a better position being the only female. After the attention is yours, the expectations are high though.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
I hope 10 years from now people will stop asking this question, because it automatically implies something is wrong about being a woman in business.
South Africa
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1994:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
93.41%
Women
95.4%
Men
2015
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Dudu Msomi
CEO, Busara Leadership Partners (Gordon Institute of Business Science)
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Include accounting in my degree with an option to continue if I wanted to. I did love accounting, but specialist subjects weren't offered at the school I attended. Though I have done accounting in my studies, many seem to value accountants in business. It gives you an edge even if you are not a well-rounded business person.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
The will to change rests with business leaders, who have the option to transform the business environment. The South African government has opted for the carrot rather than the stick. The reticence to change the patriarchal society is within business and ultimately you can’t legislate values. Business has a lot of soul-searching to do.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
My vision is of a world, not just South Africa, that has ceased to see and treat women as second class citizens ... I look forward to a world that evaluates one’s ability based on the content of the brain rather than physical differences, which none of us have control over.
South Korea
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1948:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
Spain
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1931:
Voting equality
1910:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
97.7%
Women
98.84%
Men
2016
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Sofia Benjumea
Co-Founder & CEO, Spain Startup The South Summit (IE Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
The part of my education which has influenced my career the most has been studying in a French system, in which they teach you to think not to memorize. My family has always encouraged me to follow my dreams by working hard and aiming high.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
Of course. I am a mother of a two year old, a wife and a daughter and it is not easy to find the balance. Only the support from close family allows me to keep working on what I love.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Encourage flexibility, facilitate office spaces with nurseries, support women entrepreneurs whilst they are being mums.
Sweden
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1921:
Voting equality
1873:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
Switzerland
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1971:
Voting equality
1867:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Melanie Areggar
Head of Business Unit, InSphero Diagnostics (University of St Gallen)
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Yes definitely, especially in my previous jobs. It was much harder to get more responsibility and be promoted. One had to work twice as hard - at least sometimes it felt that way.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Be more self-confident, believe in your strengths, and say "no" more often.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Lead by example and have more women in top positions.
Thailand
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1932:
Voting equality
1918:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
91.19%
Women
94.66%
Men
2015
Years of schooling
2016
We interview Atcha Lamlertpanya
Associate, Phatra Securities Plc (Cambridge Judge Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
Without my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, I feel that most people would assume I am inadequate to work in a male-dominant industry such as engineering or investment banking, both of which I have worked in. I receive more credit once I disclose that I have an engineering degree and graduated from the University of Cambridge.
Does your culture, family life, and religion have an effect on your career?
In my culture, I feel that society expects women to play a certain role (taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning, etc.) ... For example, women will most likely have to forego demanding or time-consuming careers ... I feel that men can have demanding careers while still being successful with their family lives.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Personally, I believe it comes down to the way we educate our children. If our children grow up in a society where people believe that certain jobs are meant to be for male only or that it is an uncommon thing to have a female leader, then they will grow up with the same belief.
Turkey
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1930:
Voting equality
1926:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
92.65%
Women
98.58%
Men
2015
Years of schooling
2014
We interview Ahu Sayarer Güner
Strategy Execution Manager, Ericsson (Middle East) (Koç University)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
I believe I increased my chances working as a non-technical person in a high-end technology company by attending Turkey's Koc Executive MBA Program ... I differentiate myself as a business-minded person who works in the strategy and performance excellence area of a sales organisation. I gained a real cross-disciplinary perspective.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Still work hard but work less, work smarter, allocate much more time and dedicate much more energy for networking and personal and social relations.
Do you think there is anything the government can do to help encourage women in business?
Firstly, put quality standards for equal opportunities and salary system audits between men and women in place. Provide advantages for high scoring companies. Secondly, retirement conditions can be improved. Finally, more opportunities like remote working and part-time work can be introduced. Motherhood leave can be prolonged.
United Kingdom
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1928:
Voting equality
1876:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2014
We interview Michelle Wright
Founder and CEO, Cause4 (Ashridge Business School)
How much has your education influenced your career choices and opportunities?
The MBA at Ashridge was the key ... The fact that I had a supportive faculty and the work that we focussed on throughout the MBA - from marketing to strategy - meant that I felt more able to plan the first months of my business, Cause4.
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
I now spend a lot of time supporting other female entrepreneurs. The further I develop my business the more I realise that often females are less confident and less assured in how to grow and scale a business. Sadly, often it can be other female business people that exacerbate this.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Seek out 2 or 3 mentors that you admire early on, that can guide you and give you confidence to move forward. It’s role models and people that can provide critical insight that make the difference in how quickly and robustly you can move forward in your career.
United States
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1920:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
2015
We interview Tayo Jackson
Enterprise Sales Technology Strategist, Microsoft (Darden School of Business, UVA)
Do you feel that being a woman has affected your career?
Absolutely. I am a woman in tech, an industry largely dominated by men ... There are many ways that being a woman has made how I do my job different from how a man would but I have always just viewed it as my own unique experience, not at all as a negative experience.
If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself when starting out in your career?
Be your own advocate." I began my career in medical device sales at the age of 21. It felt safe to be more passive and quiet being a young female in the role, but I know now that young people should trust their ability to add value to an organization.
What do you think it will be like for women in business 10 years from now?
Technology is expanding the opportunity for women to access information and learning resources. In the future, I expect to see a large increase in the percentage of female business owners and Fortune 500 female senior leadership. I believe businesses are really making progress in making the work environment a supportive place for the work/life balance and I am looking forward to seeing the amazing strides women will make over the next decade.
Vietnam
Women's Rights
The year that women won the right to vote in national elections on a universal and equal basis, and the year that women were first admitted to universities on equal terms.
1946:
Voting equality
:
Admitted to university
Women in Power
Women in Parliament
Women on Boards
No data
Education
Literacy Rate
No data
Years of schooling
No data
How Many Women Want to Study Business?
Number of women and men who took the GMAT exam in each country in 2017
Argentina
101337
Australia
249548
Belgium
113345
Brazil
8221934
Canada
24203663
Chile
100514
China
4627422617
Egypt
169360
Finland
145146
France
10801705
Germany
14242792
Greece
299569
India
992922585
Israel
508901
Italy
6151729
Japan
5341953
Lebanon
284525
Malaysia
228244
Mexico
4431081
Netherlands
5681079
Peru
316625
Philippines
241231
Russia
937915
South Africa
276401
South Korea
11922484
Spain
362937
Sweden
324442
Switzerland
157386
Thailand
1015774
Turkey
470582
United Kingdom
5141150
United States
3100848840
Vietnam
1085628