Transformational change in Africa with Women leading the Process www.womeninbusiness.org.za Presented by: Alison Engelbrecht CEO Women In Business
May 21, 2015
Transformational change in Africa with Women leading the Process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Presented by: Alison Engelbrecht
CEO Women In Business
Paying tribute to the important role of women in society
Formulating and managing change strategies and plans to ensure effective engagement by women role players
Adjusting current practices while liberating women from marginalisation
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
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Women in Africa building thriving industries while re-writing history to transform the continent
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
South Africa’s 30 wonder women
• Wendy Appelbaum • Wendy Ackerman • Santie Botha • Elisabeth Bradley • Salukazi Dakile-Hlongwane • Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma • Pam Golding • Ferial Haffajee • Gail Kelly • Basetsana Kumalo • Wendy Luhabe • Graça Machel • Thuli Madonsela • Phuti Malabie
• Gill Marcus • Michelle Meyjes • Precious Moloi-Motsepe • Futhi Mtoba • Nicky Newton-King • Wendy Ngoma • Nonkuleleko Nyembezi-Heita • Bridgette Radebe • Christine Ramon • Maria Ramos • Mamphela Ramphele • Jane Raphaely • Terry Volkwyn • Esmaré Weideman • Helen Zille • Professor Shirley Zinn
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
• Isabel Dos Santos, Angolan. Investor.Mimi Alemayehou, Ethiopian. Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
• Vera Songwe, Cameroonian. Country Director, World Bank, Senegal
• Tara Fela-Durotoye Nigerian. Founder, House Of Tara
• Rapelang Rabana, South African. Entrepreneur
• Claire Akamanzi, Rwandan. Chief Operating Officer, Rwanda Development Board
• Valentina da Luz Guebuza, Mozambiquan. Investor
• Hadeel Ibrahim, Sudanese. Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Alengot Oromait, Ugandan. Member Of Parliament
• Monica Musonda, Zambian. Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Java Foods
The 20 young power women in Africa 2013
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The 20 young power women in Africa 2013 continued
• Lindiwe Mazibuko, South African. Ex-Politician & Parliamentary Leader for DA.
• Minoush Abdel-Meguid, Egyptian. Private Equity Investor, Investment Banker
• Ola Orekunrin, Nigerian. Medical Doctor & Founder, The Flying Doctors
• NoViolet Bulawayo, Zimbabwean. Author
• Wangechi Mutu, Kenyan. Artist and Sculptor
• Angellah Kariuki, Tanzanian. Politician
• Lupita Nyong’o, Kenyan. Actress and Filmmaker
• Folake Folarin-Coker, Nigerian. Fashion Designer
• Sibongile Sambo, South African. Chief Executive Officer & Founder of SRS Aviation • Amini Kajunju, Democratic Republic of Congo. President & CEO, Africa-America Institute
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Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
Paying tribute to the important role of women in society
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
As part of our history and heritage, it is important to recognise the role played by our predecessors in shaping a better life for all women in this country. Although today an ideal of a non-sexist and gender equitable society is still an elusive goal, gallant women before us have laid the foundation from which we can realise their and our ideals.
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• The basic unit of society is a woman.
• As women generally make a family, family makes a home and homes make a society. So we should never think that a society would come into existence without the contribution of women.
• We all know that without education, no development is possible. Here we have forgotten that the very first and best school of a child is its mother’s lap.
• A good healthy society doesn’t automatically emerge on its own and stands firm but it needs to be emerged and for its emergence women play a pivotal role.
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
• From behavioural to health education women are involved. Generally it’s a woman who teaches how to behave, how to speak and how to deal with different classes of people. • These all are the basic fundamentals of a good society and women are the main contributors in building up a strong society.
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
Formulating and managing change strategies and plans to ensure effective engagement by women role players
Categories
• Morally defensible • Economic sense • Diverse opinions
• Gender representation • Age • Culture • Religion • Race
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformation can be likened to metamorphosis. It is not an overnight affair – we all know that.
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
SAICA statistics for the past five years reveal that, in this period, the total number of female CAs(SA) increased by 50%, but according to the 2013 Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) on women in business, the percentage of working women in senior management positions in South Africa is still inadequate. Since 2009, only 28% of South African senior management positions are being filled by women and the statistic has been flat-lining for five years. Although, when one compares the 28% to a global average of 21%, we can commend ourselves for our progress
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Having women in top management positions is crucial as it leads to a more diverse decision-making body, which in turn leads to better quality decisions and solutions. More innovation is needed to make significant progress in this field, as women often have numerous life roles to play and business needs to adjust to accommodate them. One critical way in which South African business could make itself more appealing to women is by providing more flexible working hours
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
Adjusting current practices while liberating women from marginalisation
Women would choose equal access to better jobs over quotas any day
• Currently: • 17% of board seats in public companies in South Africa are
filled by women. • Parliament comprises 40% women
• quotas produce impressive statistics over relatively short periods • No quota system in SA as in countries elsewhere • Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act
Sunday Times August 24, 2014. Ansie Ramalho
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Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
A major hurdle occurs at high school level. Learners do not have the necessary numeracy and literacy skills, and are not always aware of the importance of choosing subjects that will allow them access to tertiary education institutions. The few learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who do qualify for access to university studies face a number of additional challenges: not only do they require financial support, but also additional mentorship in the form of academic and ‘soft’ skills support to ensure their success.
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
In 2013 - social media across the globe was abuzz with discussions and comments when former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared at the Women in the World Summit in New York that advancing rights and opportunities for women are “the great unfinished business of the 21st century”. She struck a chord with many, including South Africans who re-tweeted her view.
Women in Africa building thriving industries while re-writing history to transform the continent
• Diversity • Previously disadvantaged • Good corporate governance
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
The new generation of young women, born after 1991 are reshaping markets as they have a completely different orientation to consumption and brands.
The fight for gender equality in South Africa remains “unfinished business” with women still lagging behind in education, literacy, employment and financial standing.
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
Global economic growth is increasingly led by women, many of whom are in Developing countries.
• Teach a man to fish ……. Feed him for a lifetime. • Teach a woman:
• She’ll teach her friends • She’ll start a business • And pretty soon a whole community is on the mend
According to research conducted by Simon Fraser University Marketing Professor Judy Zaichkowsky, businesses that have just one woman on the board will see a positive impact on performance.
Drivers of
change
Empower-ment
Education Demo-
graphics
Mentor/mentee relationships
Academic & soft skills
Diversity
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Role Models
Facilitation
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
With more than half of our population being women, it is our “unfinished business” to ensure that we remove all obstacles that hinder girls and women in reaching their full potential. Only then can we be truly free as a nation.
Conclusion
Transformational change in Africa
With Women leading the process
Thank you !
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Presented by: Alison Engelbrecht
CEO Women In Business
Sources
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
• Sunday Times August 24, 2014. Ansie Ramalho • http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2013/12/04/the-20-young-power-women-in-africa-2013/ • http://www.leader.co.za/article.aspx?s=1&f=1&a=3890 • http://www.sahistory.org.za/aids-resources/freedom-and-equality-celebrating-women-south-african-history-booklet • http://sanjran.wordpress.com/essay-on-role-of-women-in-society/ • http://www.businesswomen.co.za/one-female-board-member-can-boost-positive-impact/ • http://read.gaaaccounting.com/news/women-changing-the-business-landscape-in-south-africa/ • http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/reaching-gender-equality-our-unfinished-business • http://www.womenonbusiness.com/state-women-owned-businesses-2014-infographic/ • http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/