When Women Fight As Decision Makers
Updated: Aug 5, 2024
Written by: Aurée de Carbon, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As mentioned during my interview with John Smyth & Ruth Sanders, the authors of Female Entrepreneurs, published in 2020, it was not my aspiration to lead a company. Are women more catalysts of change? I posted an article in 2017. What are my thoughts after five years? Some dynamic leaders magnetize us, whatever our gender is: they improve communities, and feel the need to protect people and our planet. Their involvement is crucial to democratic governance. Why are women still underrepresented in leadership positions? These occur in business sectors and even in political positions. Every day, women must fight, even though they are highly competent and highly qualified.
Discriminations remain active for obscure reasons. Why this?
First, despite lots of efforts, women are held back by discriminatory laws and practices. In 2017, there was a mere 11 percent increase in women parliamentarians since the 1995's Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women. Although there have been some slight changes, there might not be big bangs with gender equality in governments and other private sectors until the next century. Change takes time.
One of the 12 critical areas of concern during the Platform for Action or the Beijing conference agreement, was regarding women in power and decision-making. Its thrusts involved involving women to equal access and full participation in power structures and decision-making. The second one involves increasing the ability of women to participate in public speaking, leadership training, and political campaigning.
Data on the Gender Gap
From 1995 to 2015, there was a significant narrowing of the gender gap in various aspects of public life in developing countries. Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift from 11.3% to 22.0% of the global proportion of women national parliamentarians. Women comprised 40% of the formal labor force and 27% of judges worldwide in 2011. Women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies increased from 0 in 1995 to 26 in 2015, according to a report of ODI Org.
Achieving Equality in the Workplace
McKinsey & Company’s ”When Women Matter 2016 report”, recommends three steps to decrease women’s economic gender gap. These include increasing the number of hours worked by women work, increasing women’s participation in the workforce, and increasing women's representation in high-productivity sectors. These steps resolve the present scenario that propels women to participate in part-time labor while providing most unpaid services including housework and caregiving. Women’s economic potential can be realized by decreasing their share of unpaid hours and part-time unemployment rate.
Advancing Women in Political Power and Leadership
Improving the lives of women is now gaining worldwide action. Several bilateral and multilateral agencies are supporting advocacies in reducing gender inequalities. The most recent 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a specific aim on the effective participation of women in all decision-making levels, as reported by ODI Org.
I had to fight to reach my current position. Women are entitled to equal participation in leadership positions. Once they are in decision-making roles, they can make a difference that will benefit various levels of society. As more agencies and government institutions give due importance to women, the probability of helping this world, a better place to be, can become a hope. If women could support each other. Our world needs women with Servant Leadership, able to stand alone with convictions and speak their minds with humor. But there's still a long way to go... And, as a woman, I know what I'm talking about.
Aurée de Carbon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Aurée is the founder and the owner of CARRHURE, an Executive Search Firm specialized in the Not-for-Profit sector. A French native, Aurée has 30 years of professional experience. Her exceptional empathy, expertise in identifying and assessing candidates as well as her servant leadership style make her approach unique. Prior to establishing CARRHURE, Aurée was Director International for several retained executive search firms where she directed engagements for large NGOs specialized in Agriculture, Climate Change and Health. She began her career managing sales and marketing efforts for French medias and the banking sectors (BNP and HSBC) as Wealth Management Advisor. She holds a BA in Arts from University Paris X and a degree in Communication and Marketing. She is a certified professional Coach, PNL technician and she is certified in several assessment Tools, such as 360° and DISC Model. Aurée is fluent in French and English.
