Beyond Embracing Equity: Think Equal, Lead Smart

For years, the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) has championed diversity and inclusion as part of the shared purpose to enhance impact in leadership and the country’s sustainable socio-economic prosperity. From raising awareness of Women Empowerment Principles to celebrating women in leadership and actively promoting increased female participation in the forum and its development initiatives, the CEOrt has sought out opportunities to take collective action that drives positive change in society and aims to close the existing gender gap. Gender balance is crucial for economic growth as it helps to harness the full potential of the workforce, drive innovation, and boost overall productivity.?

Representing Private Sector leaders, the CEOrt’s efforts aim to collaborate with the Public Sector in order to make a difference in addressing gender parity. The Government of Tanzania has progressively worked to ensure increased participation of women in leadership positions - Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made several appointments to fill key positions with female leaders. This reflects the strong stance for gender inclusivity and mirrors the CEOrt’s commitment to move the equality agenda forward in Tanzania. Actionable dedication has never been more critical. While steps have been taken to lead us to the desired destination, substantial leaps are needed to actually get us there. The Private Sector particularly still has a way to go to address the gender gap in terms of increasing female board representation in companies as well as female organisational leadership in general.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, the CEOrt facilitated cross-sector dialogue geared towards supporting the country’s vision of gender parity and equitable opportunities. This was the beginning of our drive to ‘Think Equal, Lead Smart’, a campaign that signifies the CEOrt’s strong dedication to inclusive development and guides us as we continue to promote diversity for Tanzania’s sustainable growth. A year later, we find ourselves thinking about what it means to embrace equity in honour of the Women’s Day 2023 theme and in relation to the promise to think equal and lead smart. The thoughts and insights that female leaders within the CEOrt have shared throughout this Women’s Month serve as a reminder of the journey that lies ahead as we collectively strive for equality.

It is important to acknowledge that equity is everyone’s issue, and achieving it is not an easy task. Earlier this month, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that without deliberate investment and action, it could take 300 years to achieve gender equality. We all have a role to play in creating a more equitable society and taking responsibility to create the change we want to see. As individuals, we can start by examining our own biases and privileges, and making a conscious effort to treat everyone with respect and fairness. We can also speak out against discrimination, and support policies and initiatives that promote equity. As organisations, our commitment to equity can involve concrete actions to create an inclusive workplace, ensuring that diversity is represented at all levels.

The road to gender equity starts at the basics, from family values and fair and just opportunities across societal needs. A culture of inclusion also stems from education, which helps to break down stereotypes and biases that we may hold towards others. When that is cascaded through subsequent stages as one moves through life, it strengthens the inclusive mindset. Inclusion is also a key consideration when developing talent as that will ultimately influence future female leadership who inspire the next generation. The CEOrt takes this into account with the CEO Apprenticeship Programme (CAP), a leadership initiative spearheaded by the CEOrt in partnership with Strathmore Business School to prepare senior executives to become future CEOs. CAP is proud to have achieved 100% increase in female participation year on year within the programme, and continues to promote diversity and strengthened socioeconomic progress for all Tanzanians by encouraging increased female leadership participation. The current Cohort 3 has a relatively even split between male and female participation, and the goal is to maintain this trend heading into the launch of Cohort 4 later this year.

As a number of female leaders within the CEOrt have pointed out, confidence plays a role in instilling self-motivation and the drive to go after opportunities for advancement. Our roles as leaders include a commitment to mentoring young female leaders in order to provide guidance and instil confidence. The presidency of Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan is testament to the leadership potential of women and a source of inspiration for many. Leaders have the power and responsibility to foster inclusive mindsets and practices to steer communities towards equity. This is essential for creating a society where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Diversity leads to increased creativity, innovation, and productivity. Studies have shown that increasing female representation in leadership positions results in enhanced performance. Whilst it is encouraging to see a growth in female membership within the CEOrt, we are conscious of the great work that is yet to be done to have substantial progress in driving equality to build a sustainable tomorrow. From a global perspective, we also need to bear in mind the severe underrepresentation in some sectors, particularly science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that is instrumental in developing in this digital era. In Sub Saharan Africa, women account for only 28% of those pursuing STEM careers. Diversity can only strengthen our communities, and women and girls and science collectively have a key role to play in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

It is time to put emphasis on examining how current institutions, policies and practices have contributed to inequality, and take the necessary steps to rectify them. Tanzania continues to make positive strides such as allowing adolescent mothers to return to school, and although key policies such as amendments to the marriage act are still under debate, we are committed to driving ‘think equal, lead smart’ as a cornerstone of our nation’s development. It will be an ongoing learning journey, and one we are prepared to walk with purpose, gaining insights and knowledge from other stakeholders as we go. Beyond the month that celebrates women’s achievements, we need to embrace equity everyday by thinking equal and leading smart - it is the path to sustainable growth and prosperity.