Evidence embracing the benefits of gender equality is mounting. In the words of Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank, "Gender equality is smart economics."

Therefore gender equality is not only a moral crusade but a critical component of economic growth. In fact, a new McKinsey Global Institute report finds that $12 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025 by advancing women's equality.

The 2010 global gender gap report by the World Economic Forum shows that countries with better gender equality have faster-growing, more competitive economies. Norway and some other European countries has a 40% quota for female board members, and now after five years the boards’ performance is better than that among companies without female leaders.

According to the Global Leadership Forecast, which surveyed 13,124 leaders from around the world, those companies that were performing in the top 20% financially had nearly twice the amount of women in leadership roles compared to those in the bottom 20%.

The United States could add up to $4.3 trillion in annual GDP in 2025 if women attain full gender equality. However, Fortune magazine recently revealed in February 2016 only 21 female CEO's are running Fortune 500 companies. Down from 24 in 2014. In 2015 Women occupy 27% of positions at the VP level, 23% at the SVP level and only 17% at c-suite.

Equality increases financial performance, innovation and retention.

Encouraging gender diversity in the leadership pool means greater diversity of thought, which, in turn, leads to improved problem solving, decision making and creativity.

The very effective 3 minute video below illuminates why gender equality works.

Furthermore diversity drives greater success than individual ability does: according to McKinsey research from last year, companies that are more gender diverse are 15% more likely to outperform others. A two year study by Deloitte found that "companies that embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their business statistically outperform their peers."

Bloomberg states that "companies with women on their boards performed better in challenging markets than those with all male boards." Increased diversity in board membership promotes diligent oversight.

Diversity in senior leadership improves financial performance. The Peterson Institute for International Economics has found that having at least 30% of women in leadership positions, or the “C-suite,” adds 6% to profit margin – and that’s net profit margin.

SPONSOR MORE WOMEN TO BUILD THE PIPELINE OF WOMEN LEADERS

Men can take an active role in promoting gender equality. Men currently occupy 96% of CEO positions and they are going to need to help reduce inequality by sponsoring female leaders. An article published in the magazine Fast Company entitled "Yes, gender equality is a men's issue" promotes the importance of sponsoring business women.

Having a senior leader who takes an active role in helping you move up in your company and career—also known as sponsorship—is a key way to fast-track your success. People with sponsors are 23% more likely to move up in their career than those without sponsors, according to research out of the Center for Talent Innovation.

Yet women are far less likely to have sponsors than men, which puts them at a clear disadvantage. "Sponsorship tends to power-replicate itself," says Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder and CEO of the Center for Talent Innovation. The reason for that? Trust is a big part of the equation in sponsorship relationships, says Hewlett. "Trust does not often cross gender and race because it's easier to trust a mini-me," she says. But awareness is the first step in making a change. Through recognizing those patterns, men in leadership positions can take a more active role in sponsoring women.