What were the main takeaways from the HERFuture forecast?
While there are still many challenges facing women in Australia and at a global level, progress is taking place. Especially in more traditionally male-dominated fields such as finance and technology, which is exciting.
The statistics around businesses with women in leadership roles were also very optimistic. However, I think as per our panel chat with Sunita Gloster (non-executive director | advisor, Gloster Advisory), Rosanna Iacono (partner, The Growth Activists | analyst at The Future Laboratory) and Nicole Byers (group publisher, Are Media) at AdWeek, there is still a long, long way to go.
How do you think you can best harness the results of the forecast?
I think the research will guide the content creators here at Are Media to connect with women in meaningful ways.
As media owners, we are responsible for driving positive conversations around women, and I feel like our brands are fully committed to continuing to do that. Our brands have been champions of making sure females’ stories are heard for decades, and this research seems to have only reinforced that commitment. I would really encourage any brand interested in understanding women to request the full presentation.
Meanwhile, the pay gap rages on. What did you find most heartening?
The UN Women’s video is so incredibly powerful – the fact that so many unthinkable global achievements are forecast to happen before women achieve equality is both surprising and sobering.
The research highlighted how the impact of the pandemic was more on women. What are your thoughts?
The negative economic indicators are undeniable. But, the local research that we did demonstrated that there were some improvements to women’s lives (certainly here in Australia) over the last two years, with more than half saying that their lives had improved since 2020.
Did HERFuture help you better understand yourself?
Absolutely! I think Nicole Byers, our group publisher, summed it up beautifully at a recent panel discussing the research. You really need to look at your own personal biases every day and challenge them to be part of the change.
To view the findings from the HerFuture forecast, enquire here.
