International Women’s Day
The International Women’s Day recognizes the struggle of women worldwide and to express solidarity.
This day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally. The day also marks a call to action to accelerate the progress of gender equality.
Women with impact.
I struggle finding examples of women who stand out for me personally. Spontaneously Angela Merkel and the New Zealand Prime Minister during COVID came to mind. It is appalling that it is so hard to come with examples of women. Off course I relate to my mother as a woman with significance and meaning in my life.
On second thought Mrs Obama and Christine Lagarde comes to mind. It still is hard to recognize the dominance of male actors in my context of influence.
From my professional point of view a lot of women in FMCG/Food/Retail come to my mind. What I find in knowing those women/impact players is the way how they generally speaking underestimate their capabilities. I recommend them to be more outspoken.
Why is this important?
It is my belief that an equal number of women and men exist with impact in the world. It seems that the male dominance is more triggered than the female ones. This could mark for me an unconscious pattern to gender inequality.
What do I do?
In my Executive Search practice I make sure that I actively search for the best possible fit, without being specific in gender, age or other denomination. I actively find woman candidates and interview them within the FMCG/Food/Retail in Europe on C-level. I am actively working on extending my network with women impact players and I am happy to meet a lot of them.
What can improve in my practices to drive women to the short-list?
The way the intake with the customer is designed and the formulation of the job description should be more gender neutral. I reckon this process could help in improving the application of a bigger part by women.
Which Women do you have in mind related to this International Woman’s Day?