In celebration of Women’s Month, we invite you to read the column written by our partner Ariela Agosin, where she discusses the opportunities Chile has in terms of gender equity and leadership.
In 2025, we will mark 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was adopted in 1995 by 189 governments. This document remains the most progressive and endorsed action plan for the advancement of women’s and girls’ rights worldwide. However, on this anniversary, we also see how global policies and many companies have slowed down their diversity and inclusion efforts.
But as the saying goes, “every problem is an opportunity in disguise.” While closing the gender gap seems to be at risk, our country has the chance to move faster and become a global benchmark. The challenge is not easy. The social structure and deeply rooted culture still hinder the professional growth of women at key moments.
The figures confirm this. According to the ILO, the global female labor force participation rate is 50.8%, compared to 80.7% for men. In Latin America, women spend an average of 38 hours per week on unpaid work, while men only spend 16 hours (ECLAC, 2023). This unequal burden impacts professional development.
In the legal field, for example, this gap is evident. In law firms, the promotion from junior to partner typically happens between the ages of 30 and 45, coinciding with the age when many women start families. Without clear policies to support this stage of women’s lives, they will hardly be able to rise at the same pace as their male colleagues. Other difficulties are due to prejudices that still exist among partners and clients regarding women’s availability for work. Furthermore, as leadership positions are dominated by men, they tend to recommend their peers, limiting the representation of women in rankings and leadership positions. All of this perpetuates a cycle—or the glass ceiling—that is difficult to break. This partly explains why, in 2023, only 22% of partners at leading global firms were women (Chambers & Partners).
What should we do? First, we must not forget those who came before us. It is crucial to recognize the efforts of those who paved the way and continue to defend their achievements. This means educating about the history of women’s rights and resisting setbacks in public policies. The Beijing Declaration is the result of years of activism and leadership by individuals who succeeded in placing gender equity on the global agenda. Today, we must reinforce education on equality from an early age, promoting school curricula that include the legacy of these pioneering women. It is also vital to promote historical memory through awareness campaigns, conferences, and commemorations that emphasize the importance of these advances and the dangers of losing them.
Second, we must support those who come after us. Responsibility is not just individual; it is collective. Demanding policies of shared responsibility is key, from the implementation of equitable parental leave to creating workplaces with flexible hours that allow a balance between professional and family life. We still see that it is celebrated when a man “helps” at home, when shared responsibility should be the norm.
It is also essential to highlight female leadership in all areas, promoting mentorship and professional sponsorship among women. Furthermore, we must be vigilant about regulatory changes that threaten these rights and actively participate in defending them, promoting public policies that solidify gender equity in all areas and ensuring safe and equitable work environments.
This is not merely a matter of rights; it has fundamental economic importance. The figures show that closing the gender gap could add up to $28 trillion to the global GDP by 2025 (McKinsey Global Institute). The impact is undeniable. We can imagine that the desired growth in Chile is impossible without policies aimed at closing this gap and incorporating more women into the labor market. On the contrary, moving in that direction will unquestionably produce positive economic effects. The question is: will we seize this opportunity?
Column written by:
Ariela Agosin | Partner | aagosin@az.cl
