As we approach Women’s Equality Day on August 26th, a day commemorated since 1971 to honor the certification of the 19th Amendment, we reflect on the strides made toward gender equity. The amendment, passed in 1920, granted women the right to vote—a monumental achievement for the suffrage movement. However, more than a century later, it’s essential to ask ourselves: has this century of progress done justice to the cause of gender equality?

The answer, unfortunately, is more complex than a simple yes or no. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, progress in achieving gender equity remains slow and uneven. The report shows that while no country has achieved full gender parity, 97% of the economies included in the report have closed more than 60% of their gender gap. However, many countries continue to lag significantly, revealing that gender equity is still an aspiration rather than a reality.

In 2024, LinkedIn data highlights a persistent imbalance in workforce representation. Globally, women account for 42% of the workforce and only 31.7% of senior leadership roles. The climb to the top remains steep for women, with a 21.5 percentage-point drop in representation from entry-level positions to the C-suite. Women are still severely underrepresented in top leadership positions.

Let’s dive into the emergency communications industry, an industry made up of a 70% female workforce. This year’s Carbyne and NENA Pulse of 911 Survey offers some sobering insights into the state of women in emergency communications.

Despite their majority, women in this industry are disproportionately affected by stress, with 34% of women versus 26% of men from the study reporting high levels of job-related stress. Additionally, the job’s impact on personal lives is more pronounced for women, with 25% stating that their work has negatively affected their marital status, compared to 19% of men. The study also reveals that women in this field are three times more likely than men to be divorced. These figures highlight the immense pressure women face in balancing their careers with their personal lives, particularly in a demanding field like emergency response.

Moreover, only 52% of women in the industry have made it to Director-level positions, indicating that even in a female-majority field, women are still underrepresented in leadership.

The data suggests that while women have made significant strides in the workplace, there is still a great deal of work to be done to overcome the unique hurdles that hinder their progress, particularly in achieving work-life balance and securing leadership roles. To support greater equity in our industry, a few key actions include:

• Increasing investment in, and the frequency and quality of, training, particularly to prepare for more complex emergency situations.
• Adopting advanced technology that can alleviate workloads and stress
• Enabling and encouraging the use of mental health services by ensuring confidentiality and breaking down stigmas.

As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, it’s also an opportune moment to recognize and appreciate the incredible female leaders in the 9-1-1 emergency communications industry. These trailblazers have navigated a challenging path, often marked by sacrifices and hard-won battles, to achieve their leadership roles. Their dedication and resilience have paved the way for future generations, proving that women not only belong in leadership positions but excel in them. Their contributions are vital to the ongoing efforts to achieve true gender equality, not just in our industry but across all sectors.