Is There A Gender Divide Emerging Among Gen Zs?

A recent article in the Financial Times has opened a debate on whether there is an emerging gender divide in views among young men and young women across the world.

This article does not include data from India so we have no way of knowing how true for India or not.

What the article argues is that this is because of the impact of movements like the #metoo and the rise of feminism. It argues that these movements have led to a backlash among young men who have moved to even more conservative values.

This is worrisome.

More and more social commentators are observing the rise of groups of young men who are, (and I am saying this in the kindest way I know how) worried by the rise of feminism and its consequences.

Globally, this has produced a community of men who subscribe to the idea that feminism has gone too far, and that women should move back to more traditional gender roles.

Again, while I am trying really hard to say this kindly, this means the rise of communication that at its softest is about 'restoring men's rights', and at its most radical form advocates rape and violence towards women.

One small sub-group within very young men who feel 'rejected' by women, in particular, embodies these strong feelings of misogyny and anti-feminism.

And while the rise of the 'manosphere' (a group of online blogs and communities supporting masculinity and anti-feminist ideology) is real, the larger concern is the more widespread discomfort (or outright rejection) of feminism.

To what extent is this true of India?

Do young men and women in India think differently about feminism?

Truth is, we simply do not know. There is insufficient research.

A study by Kings College of over 22,500 people across generations suggest several similarities between India and the world, it does point to three interesting points of difference.

1. More Indians (26%) say they would be willing to intervene in case they are witness to an act of sexual harassment. Higher than most others.
2. More Indians (30%) have discussed an incident of gender discrimination with their employer.
3. Interestingly, at the same time about 15% of Indians interviewed said they did not believe gender inequality exists today.

The Real Data On Gender Parity

The World Economic Forum studies gender parity across the world through its annual "Global Gender Gap Report". By studying economic and political data from credible sources, this report studies the state of gender parity globally and across each country.

Data from the 2023 report is at once sobering and heartening.

What is heartening is that women's access to two key parameters: education and healthcare is on the rise--across most of the world.

The WEF Gender parity report 2023 suggests that women have about 68% of the opportunities available to men.

While access to education and health has increased considerably in most countries, the two areas where women's opportunities are far behind men are in the availability of economic opportunity and participation in political decision making.

At it's current pace it will take women over 130 years to achieve equality!

130 years!!

The story for India is similar. India is ranked 127 (of 146) countries studied. While India has done quite well in providing education to young girls, and in equalizing healthcare access, it lags far behind in economic opportunities and political sway.

Implications Of This Mismatch Between the Data And Perception

As opportunities in education and healthcare ensure that more and more girls graduate school and then college, it is likely that they will ask sharper questions around why they do not have access to similar economic and political opportunities as their male colleagues.

These are very valid questions, yet in an environment where young men are already feeling under threat, will not be a simple one to navigate.

What are the implications for organisations?

1. Be sensitive to a possible growing gender divide around feminism. This sensitivity means becoming aware of the framing around the conversations around gender. This framing could be around using data to paint an accurate picture of the actual opportunities that so far have been available to women, or the number of women with access to these.
2. Frame DEI initiatives to make sure that gains for women are not seen as losses for men, but an equalizing of opportunity. The recognition that this is not a zero sum game, and that as women do better, so do organisations and so does the economy, may help.
3. Promote Blind Evaluation of Resumes Where Helpful. (I am aware this may be a somewhat controversial suggestion.) What are blind evaluations or resumes? When a persons resume or work is evaluated without identifiers. So many tests and exams in India (think of all public entrance exams--UPSC, CAT, IIT JEE) are already blind to identifiers. This ensures a level playing field to all. It also removes concerns that any one group is treated preferentially. Now the only place this can work is when evaluating people for roles where men and women are roughly at a similar advantage. An organization I interviewed last week, spoke about how when they hire research analysts, they make them write an investment thesis for an industry. This work is evaluated by experts while all identifiers are removed. This way both men and women are guaranteed fairness in the process.

The answer to many of these cultural trends is not always easy. It requires nuance and understanding. However that is in the end what good organisations do.

Unqbe, and my partner Papiya Banerjee , work with leadership teams to identify competencies that are specifically oriented to a fast changing world.

DM us if you would like to find out more.

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(About me: I lead Unqbe, a think-tank and advisory firm around building future organisations, and building future careers. We track change through commissioned and primary research. We help leadership teams build the new workplace through a culture that supports change and people practices for the future.)