To truly embrace equity, one must first acknowledge there isn’t always a level playing field for all people. The only way to change that is to first make sure race and gender never enter the equation when evaluating the strengths, experience, and potential of an individual in the workplace. Equity addresses obstacles by bringing awareness front and center in all we do. Equity doesn’t exist without creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Each of us is responsible for providing a safe environment so we can all flourish and ultimately be the best version of ourselves.

In March, we had a couple of great campaigns to celebrate Women’s History Month. We did a social media campaign, where Acxiom associates were asked what equity means to them. My favorite quote comes from Lee Li, team lead for Data Insight and Solutions: “Equity for women is the reason why my team could work without fear and with passion in today’s male-dominated industry.  Gender inclusion and respect for individual capabilities are values that each of us could instill in our daily work.”  Wow, what a powerful statement: “no fear; gender inclusion.” Imagine a workplace where we can be our authentic selves! You can find all the quotes from our social campaign here.

In great panel discussions – one in our London office and one in the U.S. – the participants addressed how we can all embrace equity and make a difference.  The topic resonated with me personally, opening my eyes to how I can make a difference, not only at work but in my personal life. Each of us has struggled to be heard, to be seen. The panelists outlined how they broke down those barriers!  I hope many of you had the opportunity to join these powerful, thought-provoking sessions.  

We have come a long way in the past 100 years in the U.S., but we still have so far to go. For example, the pay gap between men and women still needs to be closed. Overall, women working full time in the U.S. make 83% of what men do. Collectively, working women lose out on more than $500 billion a year and the gap is greater for non-white women! The gender pay gap exists in every age group and widens over a woman’s lifetime. It increases over the course of a woman’s work life and is widest for women ages 55 to 64.¹ 

Women in the EU on average earn 13% less than men. However, new legislation will require EU companies to disclose information that makes it easier for employees to compare salaries and to expose existing gender pay gaps. Under the rules – adopted earlier this year by Parliament’s plenary by a 427-79 vote, with 76 abstentions – pay structures to compare pay levels will have to be based on gender-neutral criteria and include gender-neutral job evaluations and classification systems. Vacancy notices and job titles will have to be gender neutral and recruitment processes carried out in a non-discriminatory manner. Dissuasive penalties, including fines, for employers that do not comply with the rules will be enforced.²  

In addition to unequal pay, women also have reduced opportunities for promotion into leadership positions at top companies. Overall, women occupy 52 percent of all management and professional occupations, yet at Fortune 500 companies, they hold only 19 percent of board seats, 15 percent of executive officer positions and 5.8 percent of CEO positions. There is also a significant leadership racial gap when comparing the number of white people in leadership positions compared to other races and ethnicities. Women of color hold only 3 percent of board seats at Fortune 500 companies.³

According to United Nations data from 2021, women represent 48.7% of the total population of 1.442 billion, but they  occupy less than 8% of senior leadership positions at companies in the country.⁴

We can’t close the gaps without pushing for equity every single day. It is up to all of us to advocate for one another, embrace individuality and listen with an open mind.  It should be simple to listen to ideas regardless of gender but still, in 2023, the struggle continues. This is why I am so proud to be part of Acxiom Women LEAD, a dynamic and effective business resource group. It has been educational, eye-opening but most of all, it has been rewarding to come together with a common goal to raise awareness, break down barriers and create an environment where we all can thrive. I encourage you all to attend events, get involved and listen. Listen to those who are speaking and listen for those who are not speaking. It is going to take all of us to continue moving forward and closing gaps.