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Connecting Agendas - A global drive for women

European Commissioner Viviane Reding spearheaded the proposal to initiate quotas for the representation of women on company boards which was adopted on November 2012. The initiative has triggered intense reactions and debate has only just begun.

By: EBR - Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013

The current economic situation in Europe is making matters worse, especially for women given the higher temporary or part-time nature of many jobs. Currently there is an ongoing legislative procedure in the European Parliament regarding the impact of the economic crisis on gender equality since 2008 the employment rate of women has decreased significantly.
The current economic situation in Europe is making matters worse, especially for women given the higher temporary or part-time nature of many jobs. Currently there is an ongoing legislative procedure in the European Parliament regarding the impact of the economic crisis on gender equality since 2008 the employment rate of women has decreased significantly.

by Julia Harrison*

Europe’s fragmented situation was the starting point of the proposal which sets out the introduction of a 40% quota on boards to be attained by 2020 by publicly listed companies. 11 countries have already taken legislative action for a broader female representation on boards, France, Italy and Belgium amongst them, but others have no measures in place.

While the proposal has not yet been discussed by the European Parliament, which tables amendments and gives its consent, a list of 8,000 ‘board-ready women, completed in conjunction with some of Europe’s leading academic institutions, is already up and running on LinkedIn.

Commission figures announced by Commissioner Reding 25 January show progress: the share of women on boards in publicly listed companies has increased to 15.8%, up from 13.7% in January 2012. Of course it is important to redress the imbalance and get more women in positions of power and decision-making. However, the board discussion, whilst important, risks narrowing a much wider issue. We mustn’t take too narrow a slant. Wider issues need to be addressed, starting with a different balancing act.

In 2012, international women’s day was dedicated to the inequalities between the salaries of men and women. The principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ has a long way to go and whilst MEPs urged the Commission to reconsider an existing regulation that should guarantee equal opportunities and equal treatment for both sexes, the latest figures show that women earn on an average 16.4% less than their male counterparts . In the current debate we are sending signals to our young women that a) it is all about boards and that is the career path that counts and b) the recognition and rewards are limited. Look at this study on leadership from the Women’s Forum and how the attitudes of young women change after just 2 years in the workplace.

The current economic situation in Europe is making matters worse, especially for women given the higher temporary or part-time nature of many jobs. Currently there is an ongoing legislative procedure in the European Parliament regarding the impact of the economic crisis on gender equality since 2008 the employment rate of women has decreased significantly. The plenary session is scheduled to vote in March. Looking at the economy from a different angle In 2012 The Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society ran a session with speakers from think tanks, business and NGOs looking at what sorts of innovative government, business and civil society partnerships could be brought to bear to foster economic growth in Europe.

A wider more complex debate

But should our thinking only be limited to European women at work? The answer is ‘no, not only’, internationally other grave questions arise. These are often linked to the deplorable financial, political and societal circumstances in which women can find themselves but also to conflict, health and education. These topics are too wide ranging and complex to attempt to more than touch on them here but it is interesting in Europe how the women’s diversity agenda is often considered so separately from the wider issues that women face.

One rare opportunity to mix the agendas and hear genuinely diverse perspectives and passions from women coming from many different backgrounds, geographies and life circumstance is at the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, Women from all continents are brought together to this common platform each year to explore issues ranging from business, through arts to science, each from a female perspective. Organised in Deauville, the Women’s Forum does not lose sight of what is happening across the world. Topics for the Forum over recent years have included Education; post conflict regeneration; and microfinance. For example:In the developed world, discussions focused on the available possibilities for experienced and highly-educated women, however in the developing world gender disparity prevails from primary school onwards. The achievement of universal primary education and the closing of the gender gap are two of the UN ‘Millennium Development Goals’ that were set for 2015. Education remains a key priority for developing countries as statistics show more girls stay out of schooling than boys this, partly due to poverty and to the rural area they live in.

The UN recognised in 2000 that war impacts on women and children more severely than on men. Additionally, women are left out of the peace process that follows such a conflict situation. Recognising this gap, NATO appointed Mari Skåre as the ‘Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security.’ In January 2013, they published the second annual report on its activities in the field of empowering women in conflict situations to the benefit not just of women but to the recovering society as a whole. In 2012, after sessions in prior years on post conflict growth, the Women’s Forum looked at linking these agendas in a lively discussion on building social cohesion in international businesses to create growth. Cisco, Sodexho and Renault and Chartis lead the debate and showed its relevance to sectors from ICT to Insurance, from catering to automotive.

Creating long-term solutions

Whether looking at board participation or issues in developing countries building long term solutions is essential. Take the experience around women’s businesses in African communities – often the only support system available. CARE International, one of the largest humanitarian and development-oriented NGOs, runs the Village Savings & Loan Associations program. The program concentrates on women because they are “the cornerstone of Africa’s economic development” as they produce the majority of food and their financial competency creates long lasting opportunities for entire families and communities. CARE offers financial know-how which is vital for people before they seek financial services from formal institutions.

Business education is also part of the ‘10,000 Women’ initiative which provides its services to women in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The program, launched by Goldman Sachs in 2008, is based on the premise that investment in education can create GDP growth. Rather than offer money it provides courses, ending with local certificates and reinforcing with skill the entrepreneurial spirit amongst participating women.

“Diversity” has to be more than a Western buzz word for business. Women’s issues and inequalities issue transcend our latest narrow obsession with board places and cross all spheres in society. Let’s hope that more connections between these agendas are made through the latest push to get women on boards. Women have to ensure that women on boards result not just in commercial benefits for companies brought by more diverse teams but that those newly empowered, help business play its role in addressing the wider injustices and inequalities for women around the globe.

*Julia Harrison is Senior Managing Director FTI Consulting Brussels and was a member of the founding board of the Women’s Forum. Research by Szilvi Kiss.

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