The fight for gender equality is far from over, and women in leadership should carry the torch

As of 2021, females make up 49.58% of the world’s population. That’s almost half of the people on this earth. That’s a staggering number. Not due to any scientific or biological reasons. After all, the law of probability is in favor of these statistics. But because this ratio is not reflected in the slightest in workplaces – especially in leadership positions.

Yes, we may now live in a world where women are CEOs and CFOs of some of the top businesses in the world. We may live in a world where women are leading nations and sitting as prime ministers and heads of states. But that’s not enough. Why? Because in simple mathematic terms, we’re still not ‘equal’. Equal is defined in the dictionary as ‘being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value’. Only 8% of the CEOs at Fortune 500 companies are female – an all-time high, mind you. And only 22 out of 193 countries have a female head of state or government. We should not settle for any less than equal and we should not mistake progress for ‘mission completed’. These numbers are always a reminder for me, and every female leader out there who made it, that the journey is far from over.

As women in leadership, we owe it to our predecessors who fought for our ‘right to work’; and to the future generation of women leaders to carry the torch and keep fighting to level the playing field. That’s why discussions like the one we had about ‘Women in Leadership’ in Dubai matter so much. I sat in a room with some of the most successful female leaders in the Middle East and we spoke openly and transparently about both triumphs and challenges of leading in male-dominated fields. These conversations need to be had and our experiences, good or bad, need to be shared. Because our stories can inspire and empower so many women out there. Just like we were driven and motivated by the great women who made it before us.

I encourage you all to listen to, and take part in these conversations wherever you are. Gender diversity and equality is a topic that transcends the boundaries of geography, race, or gender. It is a universal topic that concerns us all no matter where we are in the world.

But are these conversations enough? No. As leaders, we are in unique positions of power. We can speak up for those who have no voice, and we can change things from within. I’m privileged to have the dual role of CFO and Chief Inclusion and Diversity Office (CIDO) at my organization, and I work together with a Coalition of Allies to make Siemens Energy a more inclusive and diverse workplace. But remember, you don’t need an I&D title to do something. We should all champion this cause by heart and be intrinsically motivated to make conditions better for women in and outside our organizations.?

If you want to hear more about the topic, you can find the recording of our Women in Leadership panel discussion here:?https://lnkd.in/dVP8erTB ?