Women in leadership bring better business performance
Despite progress in many parts of the world, the gap in gender equality in work remains significant and multidimensional, said Frédérine Derlot , Programme Officer Fresh Fruits & Vegetables of CCI. Women entrepreneurs continue to face cultural and regulatory barriers, limited access to productive resources like finance and land, and job and workplace discrimination for bearing children. Due to these obstacles, women-owned businesses are on average smaller and less productive than male-owned businesses. At the same time, if women entrepreneurs could participate equally as men, up to $5 trillion could be added to the global economy. Women in leadership bring better business performance as it improves business outcomes, and makes it easier to attract talent. Finally, women spend a higher percentage of their income on their children’s health, nutrition, and education, comparing to men.
This is why the International Trade Centre, a joint agency under the United Nations and World Trade Organisation launched the SheTrades Initiative in 2015 to connect three million women entrepreneurs to market by 2021 and to help us meet our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Environment), and 1 (No Poverty).
We can inspire others
My professional activity in agricultural sector of Spain started 20 years ago, said Josefina Mena, manager of Moyca Company (Spain). My main task was to open new markets and exporting our fruit to different countries. I was very glad to have the opportunity to see different corners of the world, to know cultures and communities totally different from my country.
I am very lucky, as I was always surrounded by teams where men treated me as one of theirs, without any discrimination, evaluating my professional qualities and trusting me the development of new projects. It does not mean other women in Spain or abroad did not suffer or suffer now of some bias. The gender sensitiveness has penetrated the progressive societies, but we should jointly help women in such countries where the inequity rules everyday and professional life, to make them be sure of themselves.
At the same time, wherever you are, the most reasonable is to be professional, work as one team and contribute its best, to set an example and to inspire others.
