Goldman Sachs - Global Strategy Paper: Women (Still) Hold Up Half the Sky

This report explores the topic of gender gaps and the significant role that women play in our society. The report highlights that reducing gender gaps in pay and employment can have a positive impact on GDP growth. Access to quality education for women is seen as a key factor in closing gender gaps. Policy-makers, corporates, and investors should focus on areas such as education, equal rights, and access to credit to promote gender equality. The report also reminds investors that investment results are their own responsibility and advises them to carefully consider their investment risks. Disclosure information for investors is provided in relation to regulatory standards and technical arrangements for investment recommendations. The report notes that shrinking working age populations mean that it is now more important than ever to utilize the full resources women have to offer (and to reward them fully). The report estimates that even just halving the pay and employment gap between men and women could raise the level of GDP across DM and EM by between 5% and 6%. The report highlights the progress made over the past 15 years, especially with respect to education and labor force participation, but also notes that persistent gaps remain. Despite recording stellar GDP growth, India, which already had low female labor force participation, has seen it fall further. Japan and Korea have seen their pay gaps fall, but these gaps remain notably higher than elsewhere. The report suggests that the sectors where the focus should be greatest are Technology and Financials, as these sectors are lagging both in terms of female representation generally and also at more senior levels.