The economic impact of women’s inclusion

One of the key takeaways from Davos 2025 was the undeniable economic advantage of integrating women into the workforce. Experts highlighted that narrowing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could boost global GDP by as much as 20%. This projection underscores a simple yet powerful truth: the more women gain access to equal professional and economic opportunities, the greater their contribution to collective wealth creation.

This realization is significant for multiple reasons. First, it reframes gender equality not merely as a social justice issue but as a strategic economic necessity. Second, it underscores the importance of proactive public policies that encourage female participation, particularly in high-growth sectors such as digital technology, healthcare, and education.

Barriers to women’s economic inclusion

Despite progress, significant hurdles remain in ensuring equal access to the labor market. Women continue to face systemic discrimination, wage disparities, underrepresentation in high-value industries, and persistent challenges in balancing professional and personal responsibilities. These factors not only hinder financial independence and career progression but also limit national economic potential.

To bridge these gaps, decisive action from governments, corporations, and international organizations is imperative. Measures must include closing the gender pay gap, increasing female representation in leadership positions, and creating targeted initiatives to facilitate women’s entry into emerging industries.

Women’s health: A cornerstone for workforce participation

One of the key recommendations from Davos 2025 centered on women’s health as a prerequisite for full economic participation. No society can achieve true economic progress if a substantial portion of its workforce struggles with inadequate healthcare access. Both mental and physical well-being must be prioritized to ensure that women can thrive in professional environments.

Another pressing issue raised was the lack of comprehensive data on women’s health. The absence of reliable statistics impedes the development of targeted policies that address gender-specific challenges in the workplace. Investing in robust health data collection is essential to understanding the barriers preventing women from advancing in their careers. By ensuring better access to healthcare services—particularly reproductive health and mental well-being support—societies can significantly enhance female productivity and workforce engagement.

Bridging the gender gap in the digital economy

The digital revolution is a key driver of contemporary economic expansion. Yet, the gender gap in technology remains a glaring concern. As the world enters 2025, it is crucial that women gain equal access to education, training, and career opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and information technology.

The statistics are alarming: while interest in tech careers among women is rising, they remain starkly underrepresented in both educational pathways and professional roles. Closing this digital divide requires targeted interventions, including encouraging young girls to pursue STEM careers and supporting women seeking reskilling or advancement in tech-driven industries.

Empowering women entrepreneurs

The World Economic Forum also underscored the transformative potential of female entrepreneurship. Women-led businesses frequently face unique challenges, ranging from restricted access to capital and entrenched gender biases to a lack of mentorship opportunities. Yet, female entrepreneurs are driving innovation, diversifying markets, and creating jobs at an unprecedented rate. For these reasons, fostering a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs is essential. Concrete steps include facilitating access to funding, establishing mentorship programs, and creating professional networks tailored to women business leaders. By investing in female entrepreneurship, economies can unlock untapped potential and stimulate long-term growth.

Ensuring gender parity in future industries

The industries of the future, renewable energy, green technology, and digital healthcare, offer unique opportunities to increase female representation in high-growth fields. At Davos 2025, several sessions were dedicated to addressing the importance of integrating women into these rapidly expanding sectors.

Achieving meaningful change requires moving beyond mere diversity quotas. Companies must implement robust strategies to attract and retain female talent in these domains. This involves developing inclusive recruitment policies, offering continuous learning opportunities, and ensuring that women are promoted into leadership roles. Creating work environments that support flexibility and recognize women’s contributions in major projects is also essential.

Conclusion: Investing in women is investing in the future

The central message emerging from Davos is clear: investing in women is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity. Women are essential contributors to global progress, and unlocking their full potential is critical for addressing the challenges of the future.

Concrete action is required at multiple levels. From closing the gender pay gap and improving workplace conditions to expanding access to healthcare and fostering inclusion in emerging industries, every step toward gender equality strengthens economies, businesses, and societies.

Gender equality is not a luxury; it is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development. Women are not merely beneficiaries of investment, they are the architects of innovation, growth, and resilience. Empowering them is not just the right choice; it is the strategic choice for a more prosperous and equitable future.

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The Mauritian labor market has undergone profound changes over the last decades, with women playing an increasingly important role across various economic sectors. The Labour Market Survey 2024 (LMS 2024), spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour, Human Resources and Training, provides essential insight into employment trends, particularly with regard to gender breakdown. The report focuses on analyzing the representation of women across industries and examines the distinct hurdles they encounter in securing employment and accessing training opportunities..

Women’s participation in the labor market

According to the LMS 2024 , women make up around 40% of the workforce in Mauritius, a figure that continues to rise steadily. However, they seem to remain largely confined to sectors labeled as “traditionally female” like health, education and hospitality. In contrast, their participation in technical fields like manufacturing and information technology remains disproportionately low.

Distribution of jobs by gender – Sectors with strong female presence

The LMS 2024 highlights the unequal job distribution between men and women on the Mauritian labour market. While certain industries remain male-dominated, others, traditionally perceived as more accessible to women, are recording high participation rates on their part. Below is an analysis of the sectors where women play a prominent role in shaping the economy.

Health and social services

The health and social services sector continues to be a cornerstone of female employment, with a large representation in professions such as nurses, care assistants, special educators and social workers. According to LMS 2024, 55% of vacancies in this sector were for women, reflecting the strong integration of the female workforce in these professions. These professions, often categorized as “care roles,” have deep historical and cultural associations with women, have historically been associated with women.

Hotels and catering

The hotel and catering sector, while offering opportunities in a variety of professions, remains particularly conducive to female employment, particularly in positions like waiting staff, receptionists, and housekeeping. In 2024, 73% of vacancies in this sector were open to women, underlining their contribution to this field.

Sectors with under-representation of women

While progress has been made in promoting gender equality and despite efforts to integrate more women, certain sectors remain predominantly male-dominated, posing significant challenges for women attempting to break into these industries. This section explores the reasons for this under-representation and the initiatives needed to encourage greater female participation in these sectors.

Manufacturing industry

Excluding textile production, the manufacturing sector continues to see limited female representation. The LMS 2024 reports that just 28% of job openings in manufacturing were for women, with even fewer women occupying technical roles like machine maintenance or production management. Barriers such as restricted access to technical training and limited encouragement deter women from entering these fields.

Construction sector

Construction is another sector where women are glaringly absent. Despite the sector’s abundance of job opportunities, women rarely pursue roles such as site managers or skilled tradespeople like electricians and bricklayers.

Pay disparities

Despite the growing presence of women in certain sectors, wage inequality persists. The LMS 2024 highlights significant pay gaps in industries such as healthcare and hospitality, where women frequently occupy roles but often earn less than their male counterparts, particularly in managerial positions. This pay inequality is all the more pronounced in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, where women are often confined to lower-paid positions.

Access to training and skills development

Access to training is a key factor in improving gender equality in the job market. LMS 2024 shows that while 32% of employers are open to collaborating with training centers to upskill women in technical fields, female participation in such programs remains minimal. Professions requiring technical qualifications, such as in the engineering and IT sectors, see greater resistance from women, due to perceived gender roles and a lack of support to overcome these barriers.

Government efforts to encourage the training of women in fields such as digital technologies, engineering and finance are key to bridging this gap. However, much remains to be done to raise women’s awareness of professional opportunities in these sectors and provide them with the resources they need to seize them.

Government efforts to promote the inclusion of women

The Ministry of Labor, Human Resources and Training has put in place various initiatives to encourage the inclusion of women in more diversified sectors and promote their economic independence. These efforts include awareness-raising programs on gender equality and specific actions to attract women into technical professions, often perceived as masculine. The government has also launched support programs for women entrepreneurs and for those seeking training in fast-growing sectors.

Conclusion

The Labour Market Survey 2024 showcases encouraging strides in women’s participation in Mauritius’ labor market. However, significant inequalities remain, particularly in high-paying, industrial, and technical sectors. To promote genuine equality of opportunity, we need to continue supporting women’s access to training in key sectors, challenge recruitment stereotypes, and implement policies promoting equal pay for equal work.

Collaboration between the government, employers, and civil society is critical to ensuring that women are afforded the same opportunities as men in the labor market.

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By tapping into the unique strengths women bring, the region can not only make strides toward its ecological aspirations but also strengthen its economic foundation in a way that’s both inclusive. This following article delves into how boosting women’s involvement in economic activities can drive the region’s ecological shift especially through innovation, community involvement, and the creation of green jobs.

Innovation fueled by diverse perspectives

Including women can offer broader perspectives that can spur innovative solutions to environmental challenges. In the Africa-Indian Ocean region, women play a crucial role in managing natural resources, practicing sustainable agriculture, and leading conservation efforts. Their greater participation in ecological endeavors can bring fresh ideas and enhance environmental strategies.

The diversity of perspectives is especially vital in the renewable energy and conservation arenas. Women entrepreneurs in these sectors can pioneer technologies tailored to local demands, such as region-specific water purification systems or solar panels designed for the local climate. Research indicates that women are underrepresented in the energy and environmental sectors, despite their substantial presence in low level roles. Expanding their involvement can fuel innovation and make green initiatives more efficient.

Community engagement and advocacy

Women are key community leaders and educators, and they can play a crucial role in transmitting sustainable practices at the grassroot level. Across Africa and the Indian Ocean, women often manage daily family resources like water and firewood. By equipping them with training and engaging them in awareness campaigns, we can positively influence community behavior and promote sustainable management practices.

Women-led initiatives can impart essential natural resource management skills and advocate for renewable energy adoption. Women’s deep understanding of local environments and specific ecological challenges makes them uniquely qualified to engage in conservation projects and monitor natural resources. Their participation can foster a culture of sustainability and encourage eco-friendly behaviors within their communities.

Creating green jobs and building capacity

Bringing women into green jobs is vital for fostering sustainable employment opportunities and building capacity in environmental management. Sectors like renewable energy, waste management, and conservation offer women opportunities to contribute to the ecological transition while securing their economic futures.

In the Africa-Indian Ocean region, women remain underrepresented in key economic sectors, despite playing significant roles in local economies. Advancing gender equality in green jobs can help bridge skill gaps and prepare women for roles in the energy transition. For instance, training and retraining initiatives can equip women with the competencies needed in renewable energy or resource management. These efforts not only increase women’s employability but also bolster the economic resilience of local communities against the impacts of climate change.

Promoting training and professional development

For women to play a pivotal role in the ecological transition, they must have access to training and professional development opportunities. In the Africa-Indian Ocean region, specialized training programs in green skills are still sparse. It is essential to develop initiatives that empower women with the knowledge and abilities required for environmental roles.

Collective efforts are required to develop retraining programs that empower women to shift careers and integrate environmentally focused industries. Supportive policies that foster investment in both training and retraining are important to enable women to capitalize on opportunities made available by the ecological shift. Moreover, collaboration between businesses and governments is imperative to promote green shills courses within educational frameworks and modify existing programs to align more effectively with labor market demands.

Conclusion

Integrating women into the workforce is essential to the advancement of the ecological transition within the Africa-Indian Ocean region. Their ongoing involvement in environmental and renewable energy sectors can drive innovation, enhance local expertise, and generate green employment, all while fostering more inclusive economic growth. Through investment in tailored training initiatives, the backing of women-led projects, and the revision of public policies, we can harness the full potential of women’s contributions to the ecological transition, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future across the region.

Source of this article:Comment: Three ways to put women at heart of plugging the green skills gap – reuters.com

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On International Girls in ICT Day, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), called for greater female representation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Her message, filled with urgency and optimism, highlighted the growing challenges and opportunities to achieve gender parity in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Since becoming the first woman to lead the ITU, Bogdan-Martin has made promoting women in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) a top priority. International Girls in ICT Day, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, aims to raise awareness and encourage more women to enter this rapidly growing sector.

Alarming numbers and ongoing barriers

Despite recent progress, the situation for women in ICT remains concerning. ITU data shows that less than a quarter of ICT ministers worldwide are women, and only 32 out of 165 sector regulators are led by women. These disparities are also reflected in salaries and career opportunities, where women continue to face significant hurdles.

Bogdan-Martin highlighted the negative impact of gender inequality in tech, including the risk of biased product designs and discriminatory algorithms. She stressed the need for more women in the field to ensure inclusive and fair technological development.

Promising initiatives and a call to action

Despite these challenges, there are promising initiatives aimed at promoting women’s inclusion in ICT. The ITU’s Girls in ICT program, for instance, has become a global movement offering a platform to help women overcome barriers in the tech industry. This program focuses on emerging tech areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where women’s contributions are vital for innovation.

In her speech, Bogdan-Martin urged the international community to intensify efforts to close the digital gender gap and encourage more young women to pursue careers in STEM. “We cannot build an innovative and sustainable digital future without the full participation of half of humanity,” she declared, emphasizing the urgent need for gender equality in the digital age.

The case of Mauritius: Much room for improvement

In Mauritius, the status of women in the ICT sector is similarly challenging. According to Statistics Mauritius, female representation in ICT and engineering remains low, with only 8,035 women employed. Women make up just 4.4% of the ICT workforce.

Despite legislative efforts to reduce gender inequalities and the significant role of the ICT sector in the Mauritian economy, women remain underrepresented, especially in leadership positions.

A promising yet conditional future

Inclusion of women in ICT is crucial to make sure the digital future is just, inclusive, and prosperous digital. International and national initiatives, like the Girls in ICT program and efforts by the Mauritian government, are important steps forward. However, more progress and systemic changes are needed to break the glass ceiling and allow women to realize their full potential in the ICT sector.

Sources:

Aspen Global Incorporated : les femmes dans le secteur des TIC ne représentent que 4,4 % – defimedia.info

La secrétaire générale de l’UIT, plaide pour l’égalité des sexes dans le secteur des TIC   – afriqueitnews.com 

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