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The article underscores the persistent global gender gap and its detrimental impact on economic growth. It highlights the World Economic Forum's Gender Parity Accelerators as a key initiative to address this challenge through targeted action plans and public-private collaboration. The urgency of the situation is emphasized by the projection that it will take 123 years to close the global gender gap at the current rate, with economic parity taking even longer at 135 years. The Gender Parity Accelerators are presented as a proactive approach to expedite this process, aiming to achieve significant progress by 2030. These accelerators operate in various economies, supporting over one million women through tailored programs and mobilizing resources to dismantle systemic barriers to gender parity. The initiative collaborates with numerous public sector entities and private sector partners to implement reforms in areas such as childcare, parental leave, and pay equity, while simultaneously promoting workplace inclusion and business growth. The article emphasizes that advancing gender equality is not merely a matter of social justice but a crucial economic imperative, especially in times of economic volatility and shifting global political landscapes. The Global Gender Gap Report of 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the persistent disparities across various economic dimensions, including labor force participation, pay, and leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. The accelerators operate on an 18-month timeline, enabling governments and major national employers in participating countries to redefine workforce strategies, embed gender parity principles into their operations, and leverage technology to promote inclusion. The initiatives detailed are part of the Global Gender Parity Sprint 2030, a platform hosted by the Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society, which brings together businesses, governments, and international organizations to accelerate gender parity as a foundation for economic resilience and innovation. The Sprint focuses on three key global transformation processes: care, technology, and the green transition, aiming to identify pathways for labor markets and industries to ensure a level playing field. A spotlight is placed on the Accelerator Impact Solutions 2025, showcasing innovative programs tailored to each country’s specific context. Examples are provided from Ecuador, Honduras, and Guatemala, demonstrating how these accelerators are strengthening national parity policies, empowering women entrepreneur ecosystems, and building caring societies and safer workplaces. These initiatives provide critical insights for scaling gender equality globally. The Forum collaborated with the Inter-American Development Bank to publish a Guide to Promote Gender Equality in Companies, offering actionable strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces. The Forum’s 2025 DEI Lighthouse report showcases impactful case studies from accelerator countries, such as Bank al-Etihad in Jordan, which is advancing financial inclusion for women through comprehensive programs. The article concludes with a call to action, inviting governments and businesses to join the Gender Parity Accelerators' mission of advancing gender equality, either by collaborating with existing accelerators or establishing new ones, thereby expanding the global network working to close gender gaps by 2030. It is a clear argument that a focused, collaborative effort is required to change current trajectory and capture the economic benefits afforded by equal opportunities for women.
The Gender Parity Accelerators are driving tangible results in various countries. In Ecuador, the accelerator's action plan supports the implementation of the Violet Economy Law, engaging over 150 businesses and industry associations to promote workplace inclusion and pay equity. This has led to a significant increase in women's participation in small businesses (33%) and large corporations (23%). The accelerator has also supported Ecuador in implementing the actions of its first gender-balanced cabinet. Moreover, through work in the financial services industry, the Accelerator has advanced public-private action on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, resulting in 4,000 women accessing loans under the Credito Violeta program and 15,000 women benefiting from business and entrepreneurship training. In Honduras, the accelerator launched a public dashboard consolidating information on services available to women entrepreneurs, improving their access to resources. Accelerator training programs, supported by Banco de América Central (BAC) and CARE International, have equipped multiple cohorts of women with financial literacy skills. The female leadership program is set to graduate its inaugural class in 2025, fostering future women leaders. Additionally, through the Wexport program, Jordan’s accelerator has supported 439 female-owned companies to become export-ready and tap into international markets. In Guatemala, the Action Plan for more inclusive Employment and Entrepreneurship Participation (IPEG) enhances financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, particularly indigenous women. The Accelerator has launched a dedicated website to facilitate access to business services, financial resources, and support networks for these women. Accelerators are also playing a crucial role in building caring societies and safer workplaces. In Colombia, research by the accelerator on the cost and benefits of expanding paternity leave led to the government introducing a two-week paternity leave allowance, one of the highest in the region. In Costa Rica, a national care policy was introduced, significantly expanding the care system to cover pre-school children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, allowing parents and caregivers to better balance career and care responsibilities. The Accelerator also supported the piloting of a new care co-payment model where companies, families, and the government share the cost of childcare. In Jordan, the Accelerator has helped advance anti-sexual harassment legislation, ensuring private sector companies include such policies in their bylaws and enhance victim protection through improved reporting mechanisms. The Honduras Accelerator has launched a toolkit on creating safe and respectful workplaces and is now working with the private sector to adopt policies and practices that foster more inclusive workplaces.
The thought leadership of the Forum’s Global Future Council on the Care Economy has significantly informed accelerator efforts. In 2024, the council released a white paper highlighting the principles, practices, and collaboration models that contribute to more comprehensive and accessible care systems. The white paper showcases innovative models and practices for policy solutions, care infrastructure, knowledge and information systems, technological innovations, and attitude-shifting initiatives that support care. Addressing future challenges is also a key focus of the accelerators. In Malaysia, the new Gender Parity in Future of Work Accelerator is addressing the impact of AI, digital, and green transformation on existing and emerging gender gaps in the Malaysian workforce. Similarly, in Bahrain, the Skills and Gender Accelerator is addressing gender skills gaps and creating more inclusive career pathways for women in high-growth industries. A joint white paper from the World Economic Forum and LinkedIn highlights that AI-driven workplace transformations could exacerbate gender disparities, as women are more likely to be represented in jobs and industries at risk of AI-driven disruption. Accelerators are helping countries and organizations navigate these workforce transformations in ways that promote gender-inclusive growth and industry transformation. The article stresses the need for scaling gender equity globally and encourages governments and businesses to get involved. The Gender Parity Accelerators invite organizations to contribute by collaborating with existing accelerators or establishing new ones, thus expanding the global network working to close gender gaps by 2030. The article paints a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities surrounding gender parity, showcasing the vital role of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions in accelerating progress towards a more equitable and prosperous future. Through specific examples, data, and a clear call to action, the article effectively highlights the importance of gender equality as an economic imperative and the transformative potential of the Gender Parity Accelerators.