Messages from the leaders of the Economy on Women’s Day – Sectors – Economy

Ten of them respond. To choose them, EL TIEMPO consulted a large number of female voices who suggested the names of those they considered to be the most prominent in business and the economy in general.

Ana Fernanda Maiguashca, president of the Private Competitiveness Council

It is important that, in an active way, it is sought that more women reach decision-making positions in the areas of economic policy.

In the first place, because of the importance of the vision they have on these issues: the impacts of public policy are different for women and it is essential to have that representation, and hopefully also the representation of other population groups.

Secondly, due to the impact that the models have on the following generations, so that we get used to having diverse spaces marked by competition.

We are only going to have more competent groups if we open up space for them.

Camila Escobar, president of Procafecol (Juan Valdez Stores)

Without a doubt, the female leadership and gender gap within the business ecosystem is a structural problem that not only affects Colombia, but the entire region.

For this reason, it is essential that countries and companies promote initiatives, programs and mechanisms that help promote the promotion of women in management positions.

One of them and perhaps the most important is the transformation of the organizational culture.

On the other hand, promoting inclusion scenarios and reviewing hiring and development methods gives companies the possibility of carrying out a judicious exercise of self-reflection and, thus, empowering employees in management, leadership and autonomy skills.

María Claudia Lacouture, president of AmCham Colombia and Aliadas

Tools are needed so that women with fewer possibilities have a relevant education that facilitates access to the labor market, as well as information about their rights, that they know the defense mechanisms and the means to protect themselves from abuses and access justice.

In the short term, projects in tourism, software, agriculture and the care economy can be worked on, which can be a very short-term project if it has local initiatives, financial backing from the State and support from the private sector.

There are laudable efforts, but the effects are not so visible. We have to combat the macho culture that has ruled the world and persists more in underdeveloped countries.

Bibiana Taboada, co-director of the Bank of the Republic

So that women can really work in peace, we must guarantee an equitable distribution of household burdens and universal access to quality care services.

It is essential that as girls we have the opportunity to be interested in, trained and involved in technical matters, without bias.

When exercising our career or occupation we should find a work environment favorable to diversity, not only of gender but of any kind.

There are big ones, but we continue to be underrepresented in advances in the economy. The arrival of more women will allow more talent, better solutions, facilitate innovation by reducing groupthink and bringing different perspectives.

María Lorena Gutiérrez, president of Corficolombiana

The business world has realized that it is not a matter of quotas, nor of complying with standards, but that diversity adds value to organizations and there are indicators that the presence of women in management positions and on boards has a big consequences with better results.

We have many challenges, and the main one is to empower, educate and be an example for the new generations.

It is not just a matter of diversity and inclusion, but of equity.

Women don’t like to demand and we accept working conditions faster than men, as if they were doing us a favor. We must have greater wage parity. Only then do we have more diverse leadership.

Luz Stella Murgas, president of Naturgás

Organizations are required to strengthen their policies focused on gender equality, giving a relevant role to women in the processes, in addition to strengthening their competencies and empowering them for leadership roles.

More opportunities are required for women to demonstrate their managerial and strategic skills.

In the natural gas industry, initiatives focused on gender parity are promoted, which allow companies to rethink.

Today, the energy transition is a major challenge, and women have different ways of managing talent, understanding environments and achieving strong results, fundamental skills to accelerate this process.

Olga Lucía Acosta, co-director of the Bank of the Republic

Thanks to so many brave women who have gone before us and who have led the way, today there are no off-limits areas for women.

We are performing in different spheres of public and private life.

However, we need to continue with the task and reinforce the actions that allow women to obtain better jobs, as well as balance the greater care burdens that they bear and that suffered deep setbacks with the covid pandemic.

The construction of a more egalitarian society involves overcoming the biases that persist today against women and this transformation is a responsibility of all of society.

María Fernanda Suárez, President of Accenture Colombia

Women in leadership positions have advanced significantly, but it is still insufficient. For there to be equity in the world of work and in leadership positions, it is essential that there be equity in care work.

We must all review the biases and ensure that diversity has been reviewed in all decision-making places and the ideal women have been sought to participate, in boards of directors, management levels and leadership of companies, unions, civil society and Government.

Institutions that search with determination always find women prepared and suitable for the challenges that are required. Women must take more risk, dare challenges.

Sylvia Escovar, member of the Board of Directors of EPS Sanitas

We must, as a society, not stop fighting until women can choose the life option they want to have.

In this sense, I would prioritize the physical and emotional security of women and the guarantee of the same rights to perform a paid job, (with no gap compared to men) inside or outside the home.

For this, it is necessary to guarantee equal levels of education, equitable labor legislation, financial inclusion so that women have access to credit and have the same opportunities to increase their capital. And perhaps the most important thing: to increase everyone’s awareness of discrimination against women in different levels of society.

Mia Perdomo, President of Aequales

One of the challenges is that with progress the urgency has been lost. If there are two or three women on a board of directors, it seems that we have already made it and not.

Although there are many more people sensitized, we are just beginning to understand.

It will not be fine until there is parity and men and women share roles both at work and at home. The second challenge is to start talking about masculinity.

Until we have an open and in-depth conversation with men about what masculinity means today and how it can be expressed through other forms than violence, we are not going to do much. We cannot expect things to change if men will stay the same.

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