Approximately 41% of the industrial workforce are women. Yet, they are often
relegated to low-wage jobs and sectors, lower-skill occupations, administrative jobs, and
are underrepresented in technical and leadership positions. In developing countries,
this inequality is particularly stark, as
gender pay gaps and poor working conditions in
industry clashes with the urgent need to empower women and attract skilled talent to
emerging sectors. For sustainable industrial development—essential for economic and
social progress—
integrating women into higher-quality jobs is critical. This policy brief
examines the gender-related differences in the manufacturing sector, highlights subsectors
where women are particularly underrepresented, and identifies emerging employment
opportunities that benefit both women and industry. It concludes with
actionable
recommendations for effectively integrating women into the industrial workforce.
Industrialization is a key driver of economic growth, job creation, fostering structural change, and improving resource efficiency. As a catalyst of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, empowering women in industry is both a human rights imperative and sound economic policy. Research shows that more diverse and gender-balanced manufacturing companies and sectors tend to be more innovative, achieve stronger financial performance, and report higher profitability.
1 Firms with more women in top management are also more successful at attracting and retaining female talent and are better positioned to understand customer needs and anticipate market trends.
2 Moreover, studies reveal a clear link between gender equality and improved environmental performance. Companies with greater gender diversity on boards are significantly more likely to reduce energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to their peers.
3 Despite these demonstrated advantages, women continue to face systemic disadvantages in the industrial sector.
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