Elevating women in organisations

Topic: Gender Equality

Mozambique

Human Rights & Civ. Soc.

Problem & Solution

At LevasFlor, the number of female employees was significantly lower than the number of male employees. In some cases, sexist attitudes were observed. Some supervisors behaved in a harassing manner towards women, which led to a loss of motivation or, in some cases, even prevented them from carrying out their work.

The solution was to devise strategies to increase the representation of women within the company, including the provision of training, leadership development, the creation of spaces for dialogue and the promotion of a culture of respect and inclusion.

The experience

LevasFlor devises strategies to increase the representation of women within the company. Among other things, management provided training for two female employees who were among the few female employees.

Management also encouraged everyone to participate in the recruitment process. Progressively, women rose through the ranks, although there was still a shortage in terms of quantity.

Challenges

Persistent entrenched attitudes, patriarchal culture and resistance to change
Lack of adequate resources
Change doesn't happen overnight. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that improvements are maintained and deepened over time.

Impact

Perceptions and practices regarding gender issues and equality have changed significantly
Attitudes towards women have been positively influenced, with a growing appreciation of their abilities and contributions in various domains
Women began to occupy more senior positions

Lessons Learned

An assessment of the local context and the specific needs of women is important
Education and awareness programmes are helpful to address gender and equality issues 
Focus on empowering women with practical skills as well as developing leadership skills