Ambassadors of European Union, Lithuania and Denmark inspiring women to lean in and lead themselves

Womanity - Women in Unity

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of the European Union Sandra Kramer, the Ambassador of Denmark Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone and the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Rasa Jankauskaite. This conversation takes a multi-dimensional view of women pursuing their careers and being leaders. Some of the internal factors that play a role for the individual include earning technical qualifications, being mentored, receiving support from peers, applying for promotions and believing in one’s capabilities. Externally, visible women in prominent positions have a role-modelling effect that may inspire other women to emulate their achievements “If you can see it, you can be it”. We talk about trail blazers like Ursula von der Leyen the President of European Commission, Mette Frederiksen the Prime Minister of Denmark and Dalia Grybauskaitė the former President of Lithuania. These are examples of powerful women that influence societies. However, according to the World Economic Forum the world is at least 169 years away from closing the economic participation gender gap and requires 162 years to close the Political Empowerment gender gap. Some of the interventions to reduce these gaps at a country level include agreement to follow particular directives, or more formally establishing legislation and action plans. For example the Netherlands’ zipper system sets proportional representation of men and women in its electoral systems, and the European Union recently adopted a regulation that non-executive boards of companies must have at least 40% women serve on their board. As individuals and communities through behavioural change and the adoption of gender positive legislation at national and international levels we can address gender inequality. Tune in for more.