The Australian insurance and automotive sectors face ongoing challenges in achieving gender diversity, according to “Shifting Gears: The Role of Women in Shaping the Future of Automotive,” a whitepaper from Solera, a global automotive solutions company.
The report highlighted structural barriers and opportunities for fostering inclusivity in these industries across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including Australia.
The whitepaper identified the insurance and automotive sectors as among the most male-dominated globally, with significant hurdles for women and gender-diverse individuals seeking to enter or progress in these fields.
Approximately 65% of organisations surveyed acknowledged that barriers for women are more pronounced in these industries than in others.
The report highlighted challenges including limited workplace flexibility, unequal pay structures, and entrenched stereotypes.
Over a third of respondents (36%) indicated that rigid work schedules disproportionately impact women, particularly those managing caregiving responsibilities.
Similarly, 34% pointed to pay disparities, while 33% cited stereotypes that undermine women’s participation in technical and leadership roles.
The report underscored the importance of increasing female representation in technical roles, which are central to driving innovation in areas like artificial intelligence, data science, and product design.
Currently, women hold positions in technical teams at 82% of organisations surveyed, yet 86% of those organisations reported that less than half of their technical workforce is female.
The lack of diversity in technical teams affects business outcomes, with 81% of organisations acknowledging that underrepresentation hampers the development of products tailored to women consumers. Furthermore, 91% reported a positive impact on innovation when women were included in technical teams.
Efforts to address gender disparities are emerging. Around 76% of organisations reported having recruitment initiatives designed to attract women to technical roles. Additionally, 73% have set targets for increasing female representation in leadership positions.
Despite these efforts, support structures like mentorship programs remain underdeveloped, with 21% of organisations lacking specific career advancement initiatives for women in technical roles.
The whitepaper calls for systemic changes to improve inclusivity, including flexible working arrangements, pay equity, and career support programs.
According to Solera, addressing these issues could help industries better respond to evolving market demands while unlocking greater innovation.
In the Australian context, where technological advancements and consumer expectations continue to reshape the insurance and automotive sectors, prioritising gender diversity is seen as an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness and innovation.
Organisations that invest in equitable workplace practices are likely to be better positioned to attract top talent and respond to the needs of a diverse consumer base.
