After years of activism and hard work, talent and female leadership finally seem to be gaining recognition in companies across our country. In Spain, women now hold 40% of management positions in mid-market companies, marking the highest rate in the European Union to date. This is reflected in the latest data from the Grant Thornton study.
Spanish companies are starting to change
Awareness of and commitment to female leadership is evident in Spanish companies across all regions, though with some regional variations. Let’s take a look at the presence of women in management positions in some regions:
- Valencian Community: 44%
- Canary Islands: 42%
- Galicia: 41%
- Community of Madrid: 40%
- Navarre and the Basque Country: 39%
- Andalusia and Catalonia: 36%
- Aragon: 34%
This achievement is the result of a shift in mindset both in society and in businesses, thanks to a widespread commitment to diversity and equality, as well as greater social awareness, as noted by Isabel Perea, Audit Partner at Grant Thornton.
But not every ceiling can be broken through
Despite this progress, there are still many barriers left to break down. The report by the Spanish Association of Female Executives and Board Members (EJE&CON) together with CEU San Pablo University reveals some less encouraging data:
- The gender pay gap in Spanish companies exceeds 10%, even though 97% of them have policies in place to prevent it.
- What’s more, 80% of companies fail to translate their equality goals into measurable incentives.
The report also highlights that, although Spanish companies have surpassed the European average when it comes to including women in leadership roles, structural and cultural barriers still limit gender equality at the executive and board levels.
At ROSAPARKS, we’d like to take this opportunity to point out that glass ceilings still persist in the advertising industry.
According to the “More Creative Women” study, 65% of management positions are held by men, compared to just 38% held by women. What’s more, the gap between average annual salaries can reach as much as €11,000 a year.
Male directors earn an average of €60,000 a year, compared to €49,000 for female directors.
Although we’ve made some progress, there’s still a long way to go to fully break down these barriers and create a truly fair and equitable environment. We’re glad to see more and more companies adopting policies and programs to address these gaps. But it’s also essential that these efforts translate into tangible actions that lead to genuine equal opportunities and pay for everyone, regardless of gender.
