Raquel Dias
17th March 2025
The financial industry has always been a male-dominated field, with few opportunities for women to rise to senior positions. Historically, women have faced
significant challenges in entering and advancing within the finance sector. One major reason for this disparity was a combination of societal norms and biases that discouraged women from pursuing careers in finance.
Fortunately, the trend is showing signs of improvement over the recent decades. Nowadays, companies are more focused on addressing the lack of diversity and inclusivity in their teams. Consequently, there has been an increase in the number of women who can climb the corporate ladder and take on leadership roles in finance. A notable reason for this change is the recognition of the positive impact of women’s inclusion, such as improved decision-making, enhanced innovation, and better overall financial growth. For example, BNP Paribas implemented a program named EmpowerHer to understand why the financial industry has such a lack of women and how can we change that.
Furthermore, as a woman, I believe that we can do more to create opportunities for other women. And how can we do that? Simple things can make a difference. We can increase women’s presence in this industry through improved networking and new mentoring opportunities. By connecting women with leaders who understand their struggles and can provide advice, these programs ensure that women do not face these challenges alone. Additionally, organizations must implement policies that prioritize work-life balance and address any unconscious bias that may still exist in hiring and promotion processes.
Regardless, there are still problems that need to be addressed. Women continue to earn less than men, even after the advancement of various sectors of the finance world. The promotional and leadership gaps between the genders are still sizeable as women are subjected to stereotypes and biases regarding their capabilities. Besides, according to Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index, in 2020, the proportion of women in senior management and executives was 27% and 19%, respectively; while for CEOs it was a mere 6%.
In summary, I believe that the industry is evolving to become more inclusive and diverse. Gender equality is no longer just a matter of fairness, it’s a business imperative that leads to better decision-making, innovation, and financial performance. While more women are breaking into leadership roles, challenges such as pay gaps, unconscious bias, and underrepresentation in senior positions persist. The journey is far from over, even if the finance industry is moving towards a more equitable future.