The Week That Was: Global Women Empowerment News Overview (30 December - 4 January)

Women are getting stronger day by day in this fast-moving world, making things work in favour of themselves. There is an exponential growth in a number of females in the realm of business and corporate where they are contending with their male counterparts, having resilience and pliability. Moreover, the business world also consists of many females in today’s date with the rise of female founders. Females are still being vigorous despite coming across numerous challenges, running towards building a successful career.

Without failing, Global Woman Leader Team has brought to you several such news that informs you about women’s achievements and everything related to them. This week, the team has covered about conferences, funding initiatives and what not.

Explore GWL’s news section to know more.

All-Female Match Officials Panel to Create History in Australian Football

In a recent announcement, Football Australia has revealed that an all-female Match Officials Panel shall officiate an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match for the very first time in Sydney on January 1, 2025. It has also stated that a total of 6 highly qualified as well as experienced women match officials shall take the fixture charge between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC which will become history-making for the competition.
It also highlighted the continued progression in addition to female officials’ dedication in Australia. This particular step serves as a milestone that reflects the ongoing commitment of the Football Australia towards fostering a world class environment specifically for referee development along with increased opportunities for Australian referees.

Village Capital invests $150,000 in Rhea & Regxta, 2 Women-led Startups

Recently, Village Capital has made an investment of $150,000 in 2 innovative startups that are led by women i.e., Rhea Soil Health Management (Rhea) and Regxta. The investment has been made via Women in Tech Financing Facility of Standard Chartered, created towards assisting Futuremakers program alumni of SC.
Operating from Kenya, Rhea looks forward towards empowering smallholder farmers by offering them with affordable and accessible soil that are testing solutions that enhance crop yields while improving the health of the soil. In addition, Regxta is base in Nigeria that aims at advancing financial inclusion with offerings of tailored financial services specific to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

New Study reveals Gender Gap in Foreign Affairs Reporting

A new study has been published i.e., Women for Media report’s 6th edition on women’s representation in the media, exposing a persistent gender gap. It is the largest-ever one in Australia. This is the one that affects both who reports on the day’s top stories, who gets quoted in them.
This report identifies foreign affairs as well as international security, considering it as one area where males dominance over news and opinion coverage stays. In addition, males account for a total of 60% in the reportage of foreign affairs, across news landscape i.e., radio, print, online, and TV.

Prosperity 24/7 Released 1st Gender Pay Gap Report

A Jersey technology and business consulting practice ‘Prosperity 24/7’ has released its first gender pay gap report, dedicated to the technology sector where it has been found that women working in this landscape in Jersey are paid ‘fractionally more’, representing only 21% of the workforce.
Since Pay gap reporting is not considered to be a legal requirement in Jersey and keeping UK in frame, it only applies to those firms that has over 250 employees. The report says, the employees who are getting paid more within this sector were men by 80% in comparison to the 20% of females. However, the lowest paid employees were males i.e., 93% and female with 7%.

Lidl Ireland Achieves 0% Median Gap

According to the Central Statistics Office, Lidl Ireland has made a reduction on its mean gender pay gap to 5.2 percent, achieving a 0% median gap for the very first time. In 2022, the median gap has improved steadily from 4.1% to now being nearly 1/2 national average of 9.6% while reflecting pay differences at the male and female wages midpoint.

This advancement highlights the dedication and commitment of Lidl towards advancing women in leadership while fostering equity via certain initiatives that includes flexible work policies and leadership training, setting an example for global employers.