Is analysis paralysis the real barrier to gender equality?

It is also intimately personal. Felt within our homes, workplaces and schools, it shapes our childhoods, families and life experiences. It derails our safety, mental wellbeing and prosperity, exposing the harshest of intersectional vulnerabilities. In truth, while women and girls in all their diversities feel it most, it inhibits the freedoms and rights of all.

Gendered social norms are deeply individual and they are entrenched in our systems, policies and society.

“Gender norms are the beliefs and expectations people hold around how people should behave based on their gender. Whether conscious or unconscious, these beliefs impact our choices and how we engage with others. Over time, they shape our individual preferences, lead to bias and discrimination, and impact the way society and institutions are organised.”

They also feed a vicious cycle.

• The woman fleeing violence, only to find herself homeless without employment.
• The new mother returning to work, only to be penalised due to her flexible working desires.
• The young man struggling with his sense of self, only to be fed harmful ideals of masculinity online.
• The young girl challenging the status quo, only to be discouraged by gendered expectations.

Many of this goes unseen because we’re immersed in it every day. From gender-based violence and healthcare bias to stereotypes and pay gaps, inequality is at every turn. And thanks to this, it either becomes invisible or overwhelming to tackle. This is despite decades of game-changing work to combat injustice.

Surfacing what locks gender inequality in place, and the actions we should be taking to shift this, is critical. But as attention and efforts increase so too does the noise, making action – which is the intent of many – often as overwhelming as the need.

We need a roadmap.

In 2022, a groundbreaking study, Breaking the Norm, revealed Australia’s attitudes to gender norms including the cost of gender inequality to Australia.

The report quoted a study that found “Australian men are more traditional in their gender attitudes than the global average, with 30 per cent of Australian men agreeing gender inequality doesn’t really exist. This was the highest of all countries in the survey except Saudi Arabia.”

It also found that a $128 billion could be unlocked annually in Australia if women and girls were empowered to reach their full potential.

If presented in the boardroom of an ASX company, it’s fair to argue that capital would be quickly mobilised to make the most of the opportunity. Yet two years on, not much has changed. In fact, the change of pace is falling desperately short – proving that even significant data and cause aren’t enough to shift the dial.

Leading to the launch of Remaking the Norm in 2024.

Unlike its predecessor, Remaking the Norm doesn’t include a figure to shock the economy. It’s a much simpler but desperately needed path forward; a distilling of Australia’s latest gender equality data, values and knowledge into six, specific actions to make progress tangible.

Designed to help governments, individuals, philanthropies and businesses overcome decision paralysis, it spells out the steps to closing gender gaps so that action can be the priority.

It is a roadmap designed to progress evidence-based action.

Alongside Australian’s Investing In Women, Minderoo Foundation’s Gender Equality Focus Area was proud to support Deloitte Access Economics in the creation of Remaking the Norm.

Gender inequality is a complex, generational issue that requires concerted action for meaningful change. While its many layers are overwhelming, fairness isn’t a far-fetched idea when we come together and move forward with clarity.