Mentors Inspiring Inclusivity
A parent’s number one priority is usually attainment: how can my child achieve their potential? A mentor will share this goal, approaching the task by addressing weaknesses in skills development.
However, attainment in life is not simply derived from our ability to execute skills. For women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, achieving their potential can feel impossible if barriers to entry and glass ceilings persist. Excellent mentors need to be aware of this so they role-model appropriate behaviour and mindset, as much as help develop their mentee’s skill set.
There are huge societal benefits to achieving improved gender equality in the workplace. By 2050, improving gender equality would lead to an increase in EU (GDP) per capita by 3.5%, which amounts an increase of €1.20 trillion (improving educational attainment would increase it by 2.2% in comparison). On average across countries, long-run GDP per capita would be almost 20% higher if gender employment gaps were closed. In countries where women are rarely seen in higher forms of education there is an even greater need; a child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live beyond the age of five, 50% more likely to be immunised, and twice as likely to attend school. If these women are not only allowed to read, but can achieve the same role in labour markets as men, an estimated $28 trillion (26%) could be added to global GDP in 2025.
Mentors can play a small, but important role in realising these societal gains. Mentors bring greater awareness, and inspire greater inclusivity. For their mentees, who have come up against barriers and glass ceilings, they can support them to find the courage, knowledge and approach to tackle both the internal and external challenges they face. It is important to seek out mentors at all stages of education and life, but it’s crucial to have them at those transition moments in education and career path. It is at these moments that inclusivity is threatened, if people don’t believe they have what it takes, or see the obstacles ahead of them as insurmountable.
