According to the Global Gender Diversity 2016 report by British recruitment firm Hays, French women stand out as the most ambitious professionals worldwide. The study highlights the critical link between women's workforce participation and national economic growth. Yet, women continue to earn less than male peers and hold fewer leadership roles. Researchers analyzed data from 25 countries, collected between November 2015 and January 2016, to identify gender gaps at work and strategies to close them.
To the question, "Do you aspire to a high-responsibility position in your career?" 64% of French women said yes, compared to 79% of men. French women top the ambition rankings, surpassing Portuguese and Belgian women. In contrast, women in high-growth economies appear less ambitious: Germans rank 22nd, ahead of the US and China.
However, the report reveals hurdles ahead. Only 8% of women target CEO roles (versus 20% of men), with 32% aiming for director and 40% for manager positions. On pay, 69% of French women believe they earn equally to male colleagues in similar roles—an optimistic view, given the World Economic Forum's projection of pay equity not until 2186. Following Icelandic women's strike at 2:38 p.m. on October 24, 2016, Les Glorieuses newsletter urged French women to pause work at 4:34 p.m. on November 7, 2016, sharing via #7novembre16h34.
