- About Us
- Our Initiatives
- Our Impact
- Our Team
- Our Stories
- Get In Touch
- About Us
- Our Initiatives
- Our Impact
- Our Team
- Our Stories
- Get In Touch
January 14, 2025
Women: The Ongoing Journey Towards Equity and Allyship
Authored by Rosanna Mortoglou, CEO, Libra Philanthropies
With every passing year, I find myself increasingly inspired by women and their stories. For those who know me, this isn’t news at all. Women, and their strength to overcome challenges set against them over centuries, has been a constant source of power for me. But the more I grow, the more I realize how deep those challenges’ roots are, how they affect every aspect of a woman’s life, and how hard and long we still have to work for women to have equitable access and to be recognized for what they bring to the table.
Women face gender-based violence globally, no matter where they live. Family care and unpaid housework still largely falls on women globally.
There is some grunting lately about the fact we are still talking about women’s equity and their human rights. Hasn’t there been great progress over the past years for women’s rights?
Well, yes. Women living in more developed economies are indeed in a much more privileged position than their foremothers were. They can work, have financial freedom, vote, and own assets.
But also, no.
Women make up 42% of the global workforce and 31.7% of senior leaders, lagging behind men in nearly every industry and economy.
Through our work and beyond, I have seen and heard several iterations and ranges of obstacles women have been facing for decades, from sexist work behaviors to extreme emotional and physical violence. I feel therefore blessed to have mostly experienced the unwavering support and belief in me by men throughout my life and career. The value of having an ally – someone that believes in you, supports you, and respects you as a human being – is something that should not be underestimated. This does not just refer to men, it involves all of us – women too.
The number of women working in STEM roles, still only represents 28.2% of the workforce. Additionally, the industry is one of the scarcest in women in the C-suite.
I strive daily to be a better ally for people around me. For people to be seen, heard, included, and believed in. I don’t always succeed – none of us does – but an earnest effort is how we can all do better as a society.
In less developed economies, child marriages, female genitalia mutilation, unequal access to education, healthcare, legal rights, and financial tools are still very real problems.
Here are some tips on allyship from one of Libra Philanthropies’ independent non-profits, WE LEAD that have helped me in my path to be better:
- Listen: This is where it all starts from. Understanding the different experiences that shape each one of us and how these may create other realities for people. It also helps avoid assumptions.
- Say something, do something: If you notice inappropriate behavior, point it out in the moment.
- Pass the mic: Give opportunity to someone who hasn’t had a chance to speak in a conversation.
- Use inclusive language: So that people feel represented. Words carry power and symbolism – choose them with wisdom and empathy.
For more tips on allyship, follow WE LEAD on LinkedIn and Instagram.
