I often get the question of how sustainability is linked to diversity. I think diversity or inclusion is, in fact, one of the key enablers of a more sustainable world.
In a broader sense, it is about including everyone in the system simply by giving them an opportunity. To be able to benefit from their different perspectives and backgrounds.
As the system we built is unfortunately not a fair one, equity is more important than equality. So at least we can manage to balance a bit in terms of access to the health care system, education, and eventually to the workforce.
That is why I found it super meaningful and relevant that this year’s Global Women’s Summit was about sustainability and a call to action!
As none of us has the time and patience to wait 300 more years to close the gender gap, we need immediate action by both the private and public sectors.
The summit once again addressed the importance of intentional CEO commitments together with government support. Also, it helped me to see quotas from a different angle by simply explaining that where there is no intentional commitment, quotas can be helpful to move the needle.
I was so proud to see Turkey listed as number 2 with 17.9% females on the board in the MENAT region, after Morocco with 18.2%.
Also it was interesting to see Africa in the third place (after US/Canada in second and Europe in first rank) in the regional percentages of women in the board of directors with a great contribution from Rwanda.
And that is for sure due to the early corporate governance regulations they introduced in those countries. And continuous efforts of the NGO’s and private industry players.
I think it is worth mentioning that while it is good to have women-focused development programs, it is equally important to prepare and teach men how to be better allies, partners, and co-workers. Giving flexible working opportunities to women will only touch the surface of the problem while giving flexibility to both men and women is the way forward (remember, equity?)
The other highlight was listening to many young leaders over three days and learning how leadership has changed over the years. It is absolute that the leadership skills that brought us here will not carry us going forward. In today’s fast-paced era, we can learn technical skills from almost all platforms; however, in this new world, we need our “human” skills, which cannot be taught via any platform, and an immediate need. Such as being resilient, kind, fair, and adaptable. So definitely, AQ (adaptability quotient) will be the new EQ in a sense.
While I want to thank Irena Natividad and all amazing women I met from 72 different countries for their openness and sharings, I want to conclude a quote from Dalai Lama:
“Our planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.”
And I have one addition to this, we also need more Intentional Changemakers. Now!
