A new global survey reveals a stark contrast in how men and women perceive workplace gender equality, with men significantly more likely to believe progress has been achieved. The study, conducted by the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN) and Gallup Pakistan, found that 67% of Pakistanis and 59% of individuals globally believe workplace gender equality has been achieved to some extent. However, this optimism is largely driven by men, with 64% of men globally agreeing compared to only 35% of women. This perceptual divide extends to other societal spheres like politics and home life, according to the research.
The Worldviews Survey, encompassing 35,515 individuals across 40 nations, highlights the complexity of gender equality perceptions. In Pakistan, data was collected from a representative sample of 1,000 citizens between December 3, 2024 and January 2, 2025. While the study shows some global improvement since 2019, driven mainly by male respondents, it underscores the importance of understanding the differing viewpoints of men and women.
Regional variations also emerged, with the Asia-Pacific region showing the highest optimism at 66%, followed by the Americas at 58%. Europeans were the most skeptical, with only 55% perceiving some level of equality achieved. Age, education, and employment status also correlated with perceptions, with younger, more educated, and employed individuals expressing greater optimism.
The report cautions against taking the overall positive trend at face value. It emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of lived experiences and cultural nuances to achieve genuine progress. Ignoring these differing realities risks hindering true advancement in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organizations must address these perception gaps to create workplaces that are truly inclusive, not just statistically representative.
WIN President Richard Colwell stressed the importance of moving beyond surface-level optimism. He noted that while policies and practices are essential, true equality requires that progress be genuinely experienced and recognized by everyone, particularly women whose perspectives often differ from the dominant narrative. The Gilani Research Foundation provided the source material for this study.