More than a year has passed since the original release of the Harvey Weinstein harassment accusations, which brought the #MeToo movement into the forefront of many global conversations.
While at times it may seem as though there is more talk than action, a recent New York Times report shows actual progress occurring from the movement.
A Times analyst had completed an in-depth investigation into the powerful men who have lost their jobs due to sexual assault allegations in the wake of the Weinstein scandal.
There were about 200 men accused by 920 victims, 98 of whom have since been replaced. Of the 98 replaced, 51 were filled (in either an interim or permanent position) by a woman.
According to the Times article, “Female leaders tend to hire and promote more women; pay them more equally; and make companies more profitable.” This is because they foster more positive and respectful work atmospheres that encourage employees to be more collaborative.
We see evidence of this through examples of women in politics and in the companies with strong women in leadership roles.
Tina Smith, the Democrat currently holding the place of United States Senator Al Franken following his resignation, claims that the members of Congress more likely to cross party lines in a respectful manner are the women. In addition, all 23 female senators meet for monthly dinners, building a stronger community of collaboration.
Some of the more prominent figureheads to be replaced permanently by women are Roy Price, head of Amazon Studios, Matt Lauer, host of the “Today Show,” Lockhart Steel, editorial director of Vox Media, and Michael Oreskes, head of news at NPR.
“In news media and entertainment,” writes the Times, “many women who ascended to jobs vacated by men have changed the tone and substance of what they offer audiences — and in some cases, the fallout from #MeToo has shaped their decisions.”
Joan Williams, a professor at the University of California, told the Times, “Women have always been seen as risky, because they might do something like have a baby. But men are now being seen as more risky hires.”
It’s clear that progress is certainly being made, and that this progress is exponential. The more women in positions of power, the more likely women are to be seen as valuable hires, and the further we move along in the fight for equality.
Featured Image by rawpixel on Unsplash
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