Welcome back to Key Players Connect Weekly Blog – your go-to source for insights into the dynamic world of program and project management. As March unfolds, we embark on a journey to honor and celebrate Women's History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the significant contributions of women throughout history. In this edition, we delve into the origin of this empowering month, its personal champions, and the pivotal role it plays in shaping the landscape of program and project management.
Genesis: Women's History Month traces its roots back to International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8th. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century as women worldwide sought recognition for their achievements and fought for gender equality. In 1981, the United States Congress solidified the celebration of Women's History Week, later extending it to a month in 1987.
Every year has a theme. The 2024 theme according to the NationalWomen'sHistory Alliance.org is "Women who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion".
What is the purpose of Women's History Month, you ask? To ensure the stories and triumphs of women, often overshadowed by history's male-centric narratives, were acknowledged and celebrated. Additionally, this intentional elevation of contributions made by women enlightened everyone by showing the impact of real and meaningful inclusion.
Personal Champions: Behind the evolution of Women's History Month are countless individuals who passionately advocated for gender equality. Icons like Rosa Parks, and Malala Yousafzai have left an indelible mark on the struggle for women's rights. Their dedication to breaking barriers and challenging societal norms has paved the way for women to excel in various fields, including program and project management.
Provided below is a list of a few phenomenal women who fought tirelessly for gender equity, throughout the course of history. This partial list of women was generously compiled by and featured on Businessinsider.com. You too can visit their website for their full list of fearless women warriors who advanced gender equality.
Sojourner Truth 1797-1883
o Abolitionist
Susan B. Anthoy 1920-1906
o Social Activist
Ida B. Wells 1862-1931
o Journalist, Activist, Founding Member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg 1933-2022
o United States Supreme Court
Shaping Program and Project Management: We trust by now that Key Players has convinced you that the influence of Women's History Month extends far beyond its designated 31 days. In the realm of program and project management, women have played instrumental roles in driving innovation, collaboration, and success. The celebration of women's achievements not only recognizes their past contributions but also highlights the importance of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Organizations that embrace these values tend to thrive, as diverse perspectives bring about more comprehensive problem-solving and creative decision-making.
Please see below for insights on this topic. The information and data were provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to inform how women are contributing to the field of project management as observed via its recent Global Survey on Project Management, which states in part:
To better understand the current state of women in project management and where opportunities exist for both female workers and organizations, we looked at data from over 1,900 female project professionals who responded to the PMI Annual Global Survey on Project Management in 2022.
PMI’s global snapshot shows:
· Male project managers outnumber their female counterparts around the world and in every sector, but the gaps differ greatly by region and industry.
· Women earn less than men and are slightly less likely to have a project management certification or a project management degree.
· While there are far fewer women in the project workforce, they are only slightly less likely than men to have a leadership role.
· Women are more likely to report using agile and hybrid approaches, working in organizations that use advanced technologies, and placing a higher value on power skills.
Global Snapshot:
· Average age of respondents: 40.8 versus 42.6 for men
· Education: 37% of women have an academic degree in project management versus 42% of men
· Certification: 72% of women hold a project management certification versus 76% of men
o 57% have a PMP versus 64% of men
o 5% have a CAPM versus 2% of men
· Average years working in project management: 9.8 versus 11.4 for men
· Average years in the workforce: 17.3 versus 19.2 for men
· Employment status: Women are more likely to work full time for an organization (+5.7%) and less likely to be a consultant/contractor (-4.6%)
· PMOs: Women are more likely to work in an organization with a departmental PMO (+1.7%) or both departmental and enterprise PMOs (+4.2%) and less likely to work in an organization with only an enterprise PMO (-6.0%)
· Leadership positions: 20% of women vs. 23% of men report some level of management role such as PMO director, portfolio manager or another type of manager (e.g., development, product or functional manager)
A Call to Action:
As we embrace the 2024 theme – "Celebrating Women who advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion," let's all take a moment to reflect on how we can contribute to this ongoing movement. This call echoes the importance of active participation in creating inclusive environments. The number of men outnumber women significantly in the field of project management. That is a key factor to remember.
One thing we can all do is pledge to mentor and support women in our professional circles. By actively championing their growth and providing equal opportunities, we contribute to the broader goal of achieving a more balanced and diverse workforce.
As we navigate through Women's History Month, let's celebrate the past, present, and future achievements of women. The journey towards equity, diversity, and inclusion is a collective effort, and each one of us has a role to play. “Key Players Connect” and work in collaboration to solve problems and get things done. Together, we can shape a future where program and project management thrive on the strengths of a diverse and empowered workforce, where all people who are willing to work for it, can have equal access to economic opportunities.
Join the movement and amplify the voices of women in support of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion!
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