EDITORIAL | Women in Finance: Barriers and Bias We Don’t Talk About
The Luminary
Mar 12
2 min read
Updated: Mar 12
“They can do more but people expect them to do less.”
These were the very words of a kid when interviewed on how women make less money than men. In 2024, a report by UNSW Sydney also revealed that women held only 22% of the global workforce in the finance and insurance industry. It was neither about capabilities nor behaviors—it was all about gender. Notice how women are quickly boxed by society, limiting them on who and what they can be.
Historically, women were expected to simply be wives, mothers, or caretakers. Such roles were already crucial and honorable, yet employment was glorified only to men and handling estates or any paper of value was regarded as ‘not a woman’s job.’ In the modern time, women now have authority, access to education, and a greater sense of empowerment, thanks to the rightful rise of Feminism. However, reality remains that the very core of being a woman in this world is still being undermined—because we are a woman.
How will you construct a woman and money in the same sentence? Apparently, women are soft and emotional, wherein money is systematic and structural. So how can women possibly handle money better? Take it shopping? Considerably many will subconsciously conclude from hearing a story that the “golddigger” was definitely a woman before a man. Or that the newly appointed female senior manager had slipped into certain sheets to get promoted. Women in the office are often asked, “So who’s taking care of the baby at home?” Probably a couple of “Oh, so you like trading and stocks better than makeup and manicure? Amazing!” patronization. If you were to take a moment to utter names of well-known CEOs, the brain would automatically think names of men like Jeff and Elon. You would always hear less of women in management but more of women in the receipt. There could be reasons for it but the imminent logic is perhaps there were not as many women in senior fields compared to men.How can you name more women when they hardly exist? When they are hardly acknowledged and permitted to exist beyond the current prices the society imposes on them?
Regardless of skills, women are caged, labelled with only the things they ought to deserve. Societal biases push women to believe that how they are perceived equates to their own worth. And with the continuous struggle of women in society—survival being their top priority—how will they survive if their voices get consistently silenced?
Women have always been strong and beautiful weavers of transformation. Women possess the ability to raise and grow generations of prosperity. Not only in the finance field but everywhere. Women must move forward. Because women are women. No barrier or bias will ever take away our power.
Sources:
HM Treasury (2015) “Empowering Productivity: Harnessing the talents of women in financial services.” Virgin Money Site.
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