Page 46 - The Fourth Industrial Revolution

that a wide range of jobs are at risk, from positions at call centres in

emerging markets (the source of livelihoods for large numbers of young
female workers who are the first in their families to work) to retail and
administrative roles in developed economies (a key employer for lower-
middle class women).

Losing a job has negative effects in many circumstances, but the cumulative
effect of significant losses across whole job categories that have

traditionally given women access to the labour market is a critical concern.
Specifically, it will put at risk single-income households headed by low-
skilled women, depress total earnings in two-income families, and widen

the already-troubling gender gap around the world.

But what about new roles and job categories? What new opportunities could

exist for women in a labour market transformed by the fourth industrial
revolution? While it is difficult to map the competencies and skills expected
in industries not yet created, we can reasonably assume that demand will
increase for skills that enable workers to design, build and work alongside
technological systems, or in areas that fill the gaps left by these

technological innovations.

Because men still tend to dominate computer science, mathematical and
engineering professions, increased demand for specialized technical skills
may exacerbate gender inequalities. Yet demand may grow for roles that
machines cannot fulfil and which rely on intrinsically human traits and

capabilities such as empathy and compassion. Women are prevalent in many
such occupations including psychologists, therapists, coaches, event
planners, nurses and other providers of healthcare.

A key issue here is the relative return on time and effort for roles requiring
different technical capabilities, as there is a risk that personal services and
other currently female-dominated job categories will remain undervalued. If

so, the fourth industrial revolution may lead to further divergence between
men’s roles and women’s. This would be a negative outcome of the fourth
industrial revolution, as it would increase both inequality overall and the

gender gap, making it more difficult for women to leverage their talents in
the workforce of the future. It would also put at risk the value created by
increased diversity and the gains that we know organizations can make from
the enhanced creativity and efficiency of having gender-balanced teams at

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