Why everyone should be promoting gender equality

The reality today is that you will find many more women at an executive level, and it is easier to find mentors who will be there to support rising female stars. The same is true of women-owned businesses; there are more female business leaders today than there were two decades ago. The truth is also that we are still not at parity. Women are half the population, and yet they are only a single-digit percentage of CEOs or GMs. We lose too many women to gender-related pressures and issues, such as parenthood. I am yet to meet a man who has taken time out of his career to raise his children.

Most challenging

It is more a societal comment, namely that we are not moving fast enough. Last year proved how fragile our gains are. During the pandemic more women were let go globally than men and more women left the workplace than men. Even women who were working had to do additional work at home. It just shows how much work needs to be done to advance gender equality.

Most engaging

The ability to get real change and lead by example, as well as work to change the beliefs and views of others around me. Every person, both man and woman, who has the chance to advocate for gender equality should be doing it, no questions asked.

Lana Gigashvili, Human Resources Business Partner, Schneider Electric

Gigashvili’s job as human resources business partner is to focus on the business structure and serve as the primary strategic HR support for the Business Unit and function leaders throughout the region.