01.06.2006 World Economic Forum on Africa 2006 The skills and capacity problems of Africa will not be resolved until women, who comprise an estimated 50% of the potential workforce, are recognized, empowered, trained and allowed to take their place in business and government. Because of the size of the problem, panellists suggested changes to benefit women in the male dominated professional environment need to be legislated to be effective.
Panellists at the session emphasized the fact that women should not have to become like men to achieve their goals, but rather the environment in which they work needs to become more flexible to take into account women's traditional roles as mothers.
It is also important that other women support successful role models in business rather than being their fiercest critics or undermining them. It was asserted that women themselves put up many of the barriers they face.
Linah Moholo, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Botswana, suggested that women need to stop playing up to the stereotypes about them that dictate much of the general behaviour towards women, and to be careful not to perpetuate the stereotyping that often unconsciously takes place with their own children.
Futhi Mtoba, Chairman, Deloitte, South Africa, emphasized the contribution that women can make to the skills problems in Africa, but said such efforts need to be targeted early and nurtured, rather than explored only at the level of tertiary education. She agreed with a participant that South Africa's black empowerment programme has unlocked real opportunities for women in particular, something that should be celebrated.
Ndi Okereke Onyiuke, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Nigeria, said quotas are needed to ensure women start to move up the ranks of business. In Nigeria, legislation proposing that one third of people employed in government and business must be women is currently being debated. She said women have to fight for their own success as no man is going to hand it to them.
Syamal Gupta, Chairman, Tata International, India, maintained women's roles are rapidly changing because of technology, which frees them from many of the time consuming duties in the home and allows them to become entrepreneurs, using technology to establish flexible work arrangements. He said there are more opportunities available than men can manage and it is imperative to bring more women into business.
Thoko Mokgosi, Chief Executive Officer, HP, South Africa, said it is the stereotyping of women that has led to the high illiteracy levels and the marginalization of the majority of women from success in business. The challenge is to make interventions at primary school level but also to identify the pool from which talented and skilled women can be drawn into the private sector.
Jaucoline Tong, Partner, Ernst & Young, South Africa, said women in business need to keep a sense of humour to deal with some of the inappropriate remarks made by male colleagues. She added that successful women become role models for other women employees and it is important to know how to deal with the expectations this creates.
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