Beneath the façade of corporate politeness, women are still being silenced, marginalised, and discriminated against.
Discrimination against women in the workplace is not a myth; it is a fact. It is a pervasive issue that affects women globally, ranging from subtle biases to overt sexism. These discriminatory practices often have severe consequences, including limited career advancement opportunities, lower job satisfaction, and a lack of inclusivity in the workplace.
If you still subscribe to the outdated notion that women don’t face discrimination in the workplace, here are a few ways you’re missing the mark:
The gender pay gap
Imagine working just as hard as your colleague, but taking home a significantly lighter paycheck—simply because of your gender. This is the grim reality for millions of Nigerian women, who face a persistent pay gap that’s both unfair and unsustainable.
Across all regions, women are paid less than men, with the gender pay gap estimated at around 20% globally. In Nigeria, this issue is more pressing than ever. According to a recent report, women in Nigeria earn an average of 45% less than their male counterparts for the same work. This disparity is even wider in certain industries, such as finance and technology.
The grooming gap
The grooming gap is another issue that affects women in the workplace. Women are expected to spend more time and money on their appearance, which can affect their earning potential and career advancement.
While men may get away with not getting their hair cut, women can not. Recently, a woman took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her company’s bias on how her natural hair in a ponytail was regarded as unfit for work.
To appear “work appropriate,” some company rules state that women must wear heels, apply makeup and always have their hair done or risk being regarded as “unkempt” and “irresponsible.” This pressure makes women conform to unrealistic beauty standards, making them self-conscious about their appearance, even though looks do not determine their effectiveness at work.
The reproductive bias
One of the most common forms of discrimination against women in the workplace is pregnancy discrimination. Women may face unfair treatment and a lack of development opportunities due to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to pregnancy.
A recent study in the tech industry uncovered a notable gender gap in attitudes towards career breaks for childcare. While 80% of women considered taking time off to care for their children, with 70% worrying about the difficulty of returning to their careers. None of the men surveyed had ever contemplated taking a break from their careers for family responsibilities. This can lead to women feeling forced to choose between their careers and their families.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is another, and perhaps the most brutal and prevalent form of discrimination that women face in the workplace. Women often experience unwanted sexual advances, remarks, or physical contact, creating a hostile work environment.
According to Stop Street Harassment, over 38% of women have faced unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace while trying to do their jobs. In Nigeria, the numbers are much higher, according to a report by Stand To End Rape (STER), with 64% of women reporting they had been sexually harassed in their workplace.
The most prevalent forms of sexual harassment women face in the workplace include being ogled, receiving unwanted sexual comments, and enduring remarks about their clothing, accessories, or physical appearance. Additionally, sharing explicit jokes or stories and making unwanted physical contact or gestures can also constitute harassment.
Furthermore, persistent invitations for social engagements or dates, despite repeated rejection, can be a form of harassment. Requests for sexual favours or explicit propositions are also clear violations of personal boundaries. All these can spark uncomfortable, anxious, and even fearful feelings among women in their workplace.
As we strive for a more equitable and safe society for women, we must acknowledge and address the discrimination women face in the workplace. While discussing these issues, we must understand that combating discrimination against women in the workplace requires a fundamental shift in our attitudes, behaviours, and policies.
