LeadWomen’s Post

Can Women Save The World. Gender equity is no more a 'nice to talk' about topic. Neither it is a conference topic as the momentum towards lets 'walkthetalk' picks up. While, we listen to Oprah Winfrey asking that question, I ask the question, so, what's happening on women empowerment in SE Asia and in Malaysia where I live and work. Creating a culture of equality is a 'nice topic at conferences'. And, I am done with that! In the recent marketting drive to launch Coaching The Power Mind For Future Women Leaders Program in Kuala Lumpur, we hit upon some interesting glitches: 1. Women in middlemanagement are eager to develop their leadership capabilities. 2. This work seems to land with HR and not clear if it moves any further. 3. What this highligted for me is, unless HR has a well defined policy to develop their women talent pipeline, it is up to HR to work this out. 4. The gap between intent to develop the women talent pool and actual execution of that intent needs scrutiny. Let's break the rhetoric of making false promises by saying we believe in gender diversity and will invest in having an inclusive gendered workforce and do little to actualize it. The time is NOW! to make it happen. Enjoy listening to this.

On International Women’s Day: This day is celebrated with the vision and hope of an “equal” world… and I’m grateful, especially with 2 female offsprings. Although, I’ve always felt uncomfortable on this day, and I’m sitting with the why. Largely because I feel whilst it celebrates women, most narrative (on social media at least) is about celebrating women against all odds and celebrating women instead of (and sometimes against) men. I have been a recipient of men in my life who has supported, partnered and believed in me that I am able to be the person and do the work that I do. My dad who is a role model in his values of stability, love, loyalty and service to his family. My husband who is strong in his own rights; still supported my dreams, vision and independence - hence my gallivanting across the world with the work I do. Many men in my professional life who has offered me opportunities to learn and grow, shine and fly. I have also been lucky with my lineage, having had strong women role models starting with.. My mom who’s dream and resilience saw all 3 of us siblings through university My late grandmothers who were embraced all of their femininity and masculinity And aunts who contributed to their families and societies in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances It is through partnerships that we women can really inspire inclusion. When asked to do a women leadership program in Saudi only for women, I insisted that men should also attend the program. In the end we did it, with the program being named “Let’s Cope: Men and Women for Better Leadership” - (uniquely named by the client but I appreciated the intent). And interestingly the Middle East nations are a step ahead in this dream for equality, with both UAE and Saudi stepping up in gender equality through manpower laws that prohibits wage discrimination of women who perform similar work to their male counterparts since 2018. How is your experience of partnerships and IWD?

"So, while we shine a light on women and celebrate their achievements, it’s also important to raise awareness about discrimination and other issues that relate to women. Today is a day to recognize but also to take action to drive gender parity." The theme for 2024's International Women's Day is "Inspire Inclusion", and yes, these 2 words speak depths in terms of where our society can be but it is also an action we can consciously take as individuals, so if there is one thing you take from this day forward , I hope its the words "Inspire Inclusion" and together we can implement it in our lives and take actions towards gender parity. https://lnkd.in/gzsuYT8M

An insightful yet personal look at the experiences of female leaders in Singapore. While it’s disappointing to read that only 32.2% of senior leadership roles globally were held by women in 2023; it’s great to see Singapore pushing beyond this average as women occupy 42% of leadership roles. I agree with many of the ideas outlined here, especially the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for empowering women in the workplace while embracing opportunities for growth, equality and better representation. #womenleadership #genderequality #Singapore

Here's an extract from the speech Part 2: "The journey of WIMA began five years ago, serving as a testament to resilience and determination amidst uncertainty. In 2019, amidst global chaos, WIMA embarked on a mission to spotlight female leaders who defied the odds and achieved prominence in their respective fields. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of women leaders, WIMA has cultivated a pipeline of 225 female leaders in Tanzania and other African countries. From East Africa, West Africa, South & North Africa. We launched the first gender diversity report showing female representation at DSE from 2022 to date. We have provided capacity building for more than 83 WIMA's impact knows no bounds. Its legacy of empowerment and recognition has transcended borders, inspiring women to aim for the highest achievements and break through glass ceilings. Among its success stories are luminaries such as Mwanahiba Mzee, Jokate Mwegelo, Irene Madeje, and Madam Ruth Zaipuna and many others, who have attained prestigious positions of influence, including presidential appointments and executive roles." Our international success stories, such as Ms. Folasade and Honorable Karishma Pelham, highlight the impact of our efforts beyond borders. Yet, our work extends far beyond individual achievements. We've spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives like the first gender diversity research report analyzing female representation in the DSE (Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange), offering invaluable insights for improvement. Moreover, our commitment is evident in the capacity-building sessions we've conducted for over 83 women leaders, focusing on board readiness, effectiveness, and leadership training. Additionally, we've provided mentorship to over 80 emerging female leaders and facilitated networking sessions through our breakfast meetings, fostering connections and enabling access to markets. As WIMA sets its sights on the future, our vision remains unwavering: to continue championing gender equality and leadership inclusivity, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for women to thrive. #wima2024 #lwd #genderequality

Happy International Women’s Day! The theme of today's International Women's Day is #InspireInclusion. Equal opportunities are a key aspect of our corporate culture at E.ON. We drive various initiatives across all diversity dimensions that promote equal opportunities. Measures such as co-leadership, part-time leadership, gender-related recruitment guidelines and various networks have been implemented to continuously increase gender equality. E.ON is also active in external initiatives, including the "Initiative Women into Leadership — IWiL". The IWiL concept revolves around a cross-mentoring programme that gives women in leadership positions access to experienced managers and promotes personal dialogue across company and sector boundaries. We’re excited to announce that E.ON employees Jaya Sharma and Tanja Larisch were selected for the the IWiL Mentee Class 2024. Congratulations! Tanja Larisch about the programme: "The IWiL programme promises a journey of growth and empowerment, and I'm most eager to dive into the collaborative learning experiences it offers. I believe it is a cornerstone for #inspiringinclusion, fostering an environment where diverse talents are nurtured, and every voice is given the platform to shine, resonating with the spirit of International Women's Day." Jaya Sharma adds: "I am so excited to be a catalyst for change, transformation and shaping tomorrow's landscape where diversity thrives. For me personally, participating in a cross-mentoring programme such as IWiL isn't only about personal development, it's about igniting a culture of true inclusion where extraordinary ideas and perspectives can continue to flourish." #InspiringInclusion #diversity #internationalwomensday

The increase in female representation on corporate boards globally is a positive trend, but more efforts are needed to achieve gender parity. The latest report by Deloitte Global highlights a gradual improvement, with South-East Asia showing progress. Malaysia's government initiative of having a quota for female board members has been successful, while Singapore still lags behind. The overall decrease in numbers from 2021 is a reminder of the ongoing work required to advance gender diversity in leadership. The upward trend in recognizing the benefits of gender diversity is promising for future inclusivity in the workplace. #GenderDiversity

PwC’s IWD theme for 2024 is #InclusionMatters. We released two studies which look at gender-focused matters impacting the global workplace: (i) the Women in Work Index (12th edition) and (ii) Inclusion Matters. While participation in labor markets is increasing, women continue to face pay disparities. Between 2021 and 2022, the gender pay gap widened in 20 of 33 OECD countries. Equality in the workplace continues to be elusive and progress is slow. At the current rate, it could take more than half a century to close the gender gap. Looking at Korea, despite a nearly 3-point improvement in Korea’s index score, Korea still ranks towards the bottom and Korea’s gender pay gap essentially remained the same -- so it’s important to acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done. Inclusion is the key to achieving gender parity in the workplace.  This is the focus of PwC’s Global Inclusion First Strategy and we are fully committed to accelerating inclusion & diversity within our organization and beyond. Find out more at pwc.com/IWD

🌟 FII in a Flash with Playbook 🌟 The opening conversation at the FII HERizon Summit featured H.R.H. Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Cecilia Attias, and Jenny Johnson, focusing on women’s advancement, economic inclusion, and collaboration! 🎉 This session set the tone for meaningful discussions around women’s roles in driving change. 🤔 Here are the highlights of the session: 🤔 Importance of Diverse Leadership: Women in leadership provide unique perspectives that enhance decision-making. Organizations benefit from diverse inputs, leading to better outcomes. 🌍 Global Context of advancement: The rapid advancements in women’s rights in Saudi Arabia serve as a model for other nations, emphasizing the importance of cultural shifts in achieving gender equality. 📈 Data-Driven Solutions: Companies should analyze promotion rates and workforce data to identify and address gender disparities effectively, ensuring equitable opportunities for women. 🎓 Focus on Education and Mentorship: Initiatives that educate and mentor young women in finance and other sectors are crucial for building a robust pipeline of female leaders. 👩👧👧 Work-Life Balance is Key: Organizations need to normalize flexible working arrangements, allowing employees to balance family responsibilities without sacrificing career growth. 💼 Holistic Support Systems: Both public and private sectors must work together to create systems that support women in all aspects of life, encouraging them to pursue careers while managing personal responsibilities. 🤝 Collaborative Future: The success of women’s advancement relies on collaboration among men and women, fostering an inclusive environment that benefits everyone. Want to dive deeper? Check out the full session on YouTube for more insights and inspiration! 📺 ✨ https://lnkd.in/dJwtXfyt

🌟 FII Institute in a Flash with Playbook 🌟 The opening conversation at the FII Horizon Summit featured H.R.H. Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Cecilia Attias, and Jenny Johnson, focusing on women’s advancement, economic inclusion, and collaboration! 🎉 This session set the tone for meaningful discussions around women’s roles in driving change. 🤔 Here are the highlights of the session: 🤔 Importance of Diverse Leadership: Women in leadership provide unique perspectives that enhance decision-making. Organizations benefit from diverse inputs, leading to better outcomes. 🌍 Global Context of advancement: The rapid advancements in women’s rights in Saudi Arabia serve as a model for other nations, emphasizing the importance of cultural shifts in achieving gender equality. 📈 Data-Driven Solutions: Companies should analyze promotion rates and workforce data to identify and address gender disparities effectively, ensuring equitable opportunities for women. 🎓 Focus on Education and Mentorship: Initiatives that educate and mentor young women in finance and other sectors are crucial for building a robust pipeline of female leaders. 👩👧👧 Work-Life Balance is Key: Organizations need to normalize flexible working arrangements, allowing employees to balance family responsibilities without sacrificing career growth. 💼 Holistic Support Systems: Both public and private sectors must work together to create systems that support women in all aspects of life, encouraging them to pursue careers while managing personal responsibilities. 🤝 Collaborative Future: The success of women’s advancement relies on collaboration among men and women, fostering an inclusive environment that benefits everyone. Want to dive deeper? Check out the full session on YouTube for more insights and inspiration! 📺 ✨ https://lnkd.in/dJwtXfyt #getplaybook #becomeamember