Before the pandemic, it was estimated that it would take 100 years to fully achieve labor parity, now it is estimated that it would take 100 years to fully achieve labor parity. Global Gender Gap Report 2022 of the World Economic Forum considers that it will take 132 years to achieve this goal, however, there are three keys to accelerate the process, according to the World Economic Forum.

Education and skills for women

Women were the hardest hit by the pandemic and have not been able to recover, for that purpose they need to be provided with access to education and skills development. Unlocking their full earning potential will be critical to accelerate equitable recovery.

In this regard online learning is essential because they have the potential to improve gender parity in higher education and workforce development.

"Online learning is narrowing educational gender gaps and preparing women for in-demand jobs in the digital economy, removing barriers for female students and improving gender inclusion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and connecting women to growing skills and job opportunities," details the World Economic Forum.

Participation of female online learners has increased significantly. According to Coursera, it increased from 38% in 2019 to 45% in 2021, even as the gender employment gap increased.

Because of factors such as mobility, security and family obligations, women see online learning as more accessible than face-to-face education.

Increased broadband connectivity, online learning models (with the advantages of technology and lower distribution costs) make it possible to reach women who would otherwise be excluded.

Improving gender inclusiveness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2022 highlights that women are underrepresented in STEM fields, which are the foundational apprenticeship for booming tech and digital jobs.

In the future, it is estimated that 9 out of 10 jobs will require digital skills.

In a positive trend that could narrow these gaps, Coursera data in the Global Gender Gap 2022 report finds that gender parity increased in online training for ICT careers in several economies between 2019 and 2021, with countries such as Greece and Hungary reporting strong increases in the proportion of women enrolled. In the Middle East, online ICT enrollments for women in Saudi Arabia increased from 9.2% to 16.1%.

Despite these advances, much remains to be done to reduce the gender digital divide and support a broader transition to online learning, especially in emerging markets.

The World Economic Forum posits that increased representation of female instructors can support greater participation of women in STEM and other high-demand fields because they are more likely to enroll in courses taught by female instructors, and they value these courses more highly.

Connecting women to the skills and jobs of the future

The 2021 Global Gender Gap Report underscored the importance of "redeploying and replacing women in emerging jobs" to shape a gender-equal recovery.

As labor trends evolve, the combined forces of online learning and telecommuting can help unlock opportunities for women, who now have the means to flexibly develop skills for jobs that can be done from anywhere.

This year's report shows that women may have an underlying advantage in the type of skills they prioritize, with "gender learning profiles" revealing differences in the skills men and women invest in.

While men choose to improve their digital and innovation skills, women are more likely to invest in "working with people" and self-management skills such as "resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility," which are among the top 10 job skills of the future.

By developing online human skills that complement digital skills, women will be well positioned to take on new roles in the modern workforce, leading the digital transformation and change management efforts that companies globally are prioritizing.

The bottom line is that online learning is leveling the playing field for women by connecting them to fast-growing opportunities and better prospects, and this access can enable them to make up lost ground in the labor market and acquire critical skills that will prepare them for the careers of the future.

Source: World Economic Forum