Northern Trust Asset Servicing’s Post

Celebrating Women Leaders at Brooke for #iwd2024. Hosted an informal discussion with Rupali Tripathi Dr Priya Pandey @SanaKhawaja @AssietouDiallo - leaders from Brooke Pakistan Brooke India BROOKE WEST AFRICA They had participated in the Happy Ltd Brave Leadership Programme a year ago and shared their learning, personal and lived experience - including advice they would give to their younger selves. And what organisations can do to support women in the workplace. There followed a lively discussion including some key points below: 1. Learning from the leadership course included how to say no, how to be assertive, not to automatically to default to ‘please’ 2. Whilst recognising systems and structures also need to change to improve gender equality and remove the barriers women face 3. Confidence, self awareness and resilience is key - ‘believe in yourself’ and the importance of a supportive family and home life. 4. Stand in solidarity with others - Involve men and all to create a gender equal workplace. Behaviours and attitudes need to change. A male leader recognised that men need to change. 5. Getting the basics right. Creating and implementing gender sensitive policies - e.g. parental leave, support returning from maternity leave. Recognising that women’s experience is often very different from men’s. Some fantastic examples were shared of support the staff had returning from parental leave Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys and resulted in retaining brilliant staff 6. Cultivate true allyship groups (e.g men for inclusion; men as allies) supported by a learning agenda and open minds. Provide organisational resources to enhance understanding and awareness e.g. on menstruation and menopause. 7. Notice, speak out if something is not right. Try and walk in each other shoes. Thanks to Jenny Martin (Assoc. CIPD) @Majean Lin McGarry for making this happen - and to all participants for your contributions.

Happy International Women’s Day! In the corporate world, we have made some progressive strides on this front and ofcourse there’s a lot more to do.. hence sharing a good article written long back by Shreya Gadepalli, with very clearly and systematically articulated action items for all professionals, corporates and startups to consciously adopt. https://lnkd.in/gfZtEG7T

On the occasion of #internationalwomenday , when I read the theme of #inspireinclusion – my first thought was : I agree 💯 A recent report published by World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 – If we start today, it will take 169 years to bridge the gender gap in terms of career opportunities, pay, growth, voice at the table. This really set me thinking about what can we Women do differently to reduce this gap. All of us need to start together 📍 How about from “Demanding Inclusion” to “Commanding Inclusion”?   § As per a McKinsey & Company and Lean In report of 2022 - "Women In the Workplace", we just don’t fail to take credit, we let others take credit of our work-  37% of women professionals have had a coworker get credit for their idea, compared to 27% of men professionals. § As per the same report - 43% of women leaders are burned out, compared to only 31% of men at their level; Women are over-worked and Under-recognized. 📢 Its high time, ladies raise  your hand and say– “I did it”. 📍 Embracing our uniqueness and being proud of it. We will have periods every month, at some stage motherhood, menopause will impact us physically; but these stages of Life is what makes her a “Wonder Women” who has sheer power to adapt and perform. As Mary Kom said “Don’t let anyone tell you, that you are weak because you are a woman. Motherhood only adds to your strength and inner peace. A mother of 3 can conquer the world”. 📍 Women as Allies to accomplish the Unknown.  #allyship One of the biggest examples is Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi; working across borders came together to work for a common goal – “to fight against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education". After years of hard work together, they won Noble Prize in 2014 🎉 Back at home, the women of Antara Senior Care, said it right “Count Her In” – For her grace, strength , positive approach, resilience, agility and most important achieving the impossible. Tara Singh Vachani Sonali Verma Sharon Bizira Shalu Batra Purti Khanna CA Heena Garg Dr. Farheen Ayyub (PT) Dr. Shilpi Kulshreshtha aishanya raj Aditi Mamta Srivastava #iwd2024 #inclusion #empowerment #countherin

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Cll Centre for Women Leadership in partnership with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In a country with approximately 663 million women, where over 40% aspire to rise to the top of their companies, this initiative is a significant step towards advancing women's economic empowerment. India has made commendable progress in creating an inclusive workspace with supportive policies like #EqualPay for #EqualWork, the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, the Maternity Benefits Act, and Hostels for working women. However, the challenges are diverse, with more than 90% of women engaged in the informal sector, facing limited security. The Centre on Women Leadership aims to be the driving force behind breaking down barriers to entry, retention, and growth of women as leaders in both the formal and informal sectors. While intent, policy mandates, and programs are crucial, multi-stakeholde engagement is the key to co-creating ecosystems that enable women to achieve their full potential. We believe in acknowledging the obstacles women face and working collaboratively towards a more equitable future. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, let's inspire change, break barriers, and enable women to reach their full potential! #CIIWomenLeadership #GenderEquity #GenderEquality #LeadershipJourney #TransformingEconomy #WeLead Confederation of Indian Industry Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CII Indian Women Network Seema Arora

Challenging the Expectation of Sacrifice: Empowering Women's Well-being The expectation for women to constantly sacrifice for others has long been ingrained in societal norms, perpetuating a cycle that often neglects their own well-being. While acts of selflessness are commendable, the relentless pressure to prioritize the needs of others above their own can take a toll on women's physical, emotional, and mental health. From a young age, girls are socialized to prioritize the happiness and comfort of others, often at the expense of their own desires and aspirations. Whether it's fulfilling familial obligations, catering to societal expectations, or suppressing personal ambitions, the culture of sacrifice places undue strain on women, depriving them of the opportunity to prioritize their own well-being. This pervasive expectation not only undermines women's autonomy and agency but also perpetuates gender inequalities by reinforcing traditional gender roles and limiting women's access to opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. Moreover, the normalization of sacrifice as a virtue for women can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and burnout, as they struggle to meet unrealistic expectations and balance competing demands. It is imperative to recognize that prioritizing self-care and well-being is not a selfish act but a fundamental necessity for women to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and society at large. By challenging the notion that self-sacrifice is synonymous with virtue, we can create a more equitable and inclusive world where women are empowered to prioritize their own needs and aspirations without guilt or judgment. Empowering women to prioritize their well-being requires a multifaceted approach that addresses systemic barriers, dismantles harmful stereotypes, and fosters a culture of support and solidarity. This includes advocating for policies that promote work-life balance, investing in accessible healthcare and mental health resources, and challenging gender norms that perpetuate the expectation of sacrifice. Furthermore, fostering open and honest conversations about the importance of self-care and boundary-setting is crucial in empowering women to assert their autonomy and advocate for their own needs. By cultivating a culture of self-compassion and mutual support, we can create spaces where women feel empowered to prioritize their well-being without fear of judgment or reprisal. In conclusion, the expectation for women to sacrifice for others is a deeply ingrained aspect of societal norms that undermines their well-being and perpetuates gender inequalities. By challenging this expectation and empowering women to prioritize their own needs and aspirations, we can create a more equitable and inclusive world where women are free to thrive and flourish on their own terms. It is time to recognize that women's well-being is not negotiable and that their self-care is essential .

According to the recently released ‘Women @ Work: A Global Outlook’ report by Deloitte, about 40% of women who experience high levels of pain due to menstruation or menopause work through it without taking time off. In India too, the numbers are similar. Half the respondents across the globe also described that their stress levels as higher than a year ago. Saraswathi Kasturirangan, Chief Happiness Officer at Deloitte, speaks to The Hindu about the pressure women experience to balance work and family, the importance that should be given to women’s mental health and the need to build a pipeline of future women leaders. #gender #womenatwork #inclusivity

Women have always been expected to internalize expectations and react to assumed responsibilities. Historically, all activities related to nurturing have been automatically assigned to women. This imposes difficulty upon women to come out of these traditionally assumed roles. Chaperone believes in reducing these barriers and building an empowering atmosphere. So we sat with laptops in our hands and our thoughts, seeking for a means to accomplish the same. Eventually, we realized that such celebrations could not be restricted to a single day, in fact, it's impossible to measure their efforts in terms of mere weeks or years. They deserve so much more than just recognition. As a token of our appreciation , we created Women's Week, which attempts to recognize their courage and sacrifices as a result of which we are standing here in good health today. This Women's Week, let us all acknowledge what our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, partners, and every woman in our lives have done for us, and let us ensure they receive the break they deserve, not only a physical break, but a long-term break that will allow them to achieve their own life goals! Pratisandhi Foundation Navjyoti India Foundation Smriti Irani Amit Gupta Tare Zameen Foundation KAMAKHYA LOK SEWA SAMITI Khushi Foundation Delhi Positive YUVA Network Association Nirantar Trust - A Centre for Gender and Education Restless Development The Naz Foundation (India) Trust #womenempowerment #womensday #womensday2024 #breakingstereotypes  #changemakers  #change

Grateful that our steps towards creating a more inclusive and empowering work environment have been recognised. Our diversity, equity and inclusion journey covering gender parity, women in senior leadership, persons with disabilities, living wages and more is young. We have a long way to go, but we are committed to representing the diversity of the society within which we live. “Some companies are helping women break these barriers by starting programmes with specific purposes. Dr. Reddy’s, for example, has diversity-specific key results areas for leadership. These have resulted in a greater-than-sector average number of women employees at the company. Dr. Reddy’s also uses alternative models of resourcing like bench hiring, where certain women are trained and subsequently promoted.” To read more about our ESG goals, please visit: http://bit.ly/3ZMMWRM. https://lnkd.in/gygmziMR #DrReddysXSustainability #WeAreDrReddys #ESG #DEI #GoodHealthCantWait #Sustainability

Meeting strong women and hearing their success stories empowers you to do more. Shimla Ahmed is a wonderful woman with a track record of several successes. She is the CEO and founder of AO News and Co-founder and President of the Southern Community Empowerment Association of Maldives - SCEAM Heartfelt gratitude for the advice and guidance. As women, we must empower each other to do more for our community instead of discussing each other. When we empower each other as women, several positive outcomes occur such as: 1. Increased Confidence 2. Empowerment fosters a spirit of collaboration rather than competition. 3. Empowering each other often leads to sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities. 4. Empowering each other helps break down societal and institutional barriers that limit women's progress. 5. Empowered women serve as role models for others. 6. Empowering women can lead to broader social change by challenging gender norms and stereotypes.

Advancing Women in the Workplace: A Call to Action! As we strive for a more inclusive work environment, it's crucial to address the real barriers that hinder women's progress. Pooja Sharma Goyal of The Udaiti Foundation and Naghma Mulla of EdelGive Foundation highlight significant challenges such as the overwhelming burden of unpaid care work and persistent gender pay gaps. Despite contributing an astounding 15-17% to the nation's GDP through unpaid labor, women still face systemic obstacles that prevent them from reaching leadership roles. The lack of adherence to important regulations like the POSH Act and the absence of internal complaints committees in many organizations underscore the need for a stronger commitment to gender equity. Initiatives like paid parental leave, transparent pay grades, and proactive leadership are essential to create a truly empowering environment for women. Several leading companies across various industries are pioneering innovative programs aimed at increasing diversity and supporting women throughout their career paths. It's essential for all of us, especially senior leaders and male colleagues, to become active stakeholders in this transformative journey. Let's work together to create workplaces where women not only thrive but also lead with purpose and equality. 🚀 #herCAREER #WomenSupportWomen #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Empowerment #WorkplaceEquality #FemaleLeadership Read the full article and get more information here: https://lnkd.in/gg6DyiaW