KEDGE received Minister Elisabeth Moreno - Gender parity in business, where do we stand?

The Rixain-Castaner bill to accelerate economic and professional equality between women and men was adopted on first reading by the National Assembly, but must go through the Senate. In conjunction with this KEDGE held a round table on Tuesday, 25 May as part of its Inclusivity Month around the central theme of gender parity in companies. For the occasion, Alexandre de Navailles, CEO of KEDGE, and Anicia Jaegler, Associate Dean for Inclusivity at KEDGE, had a long discussion with Elisabeth Moreno, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities at the Prime Minister's Office, as well as with graduates and student entrepreneurs. It was an opportunity to remind people that management schools such as KEDGE have a societal role to play in building a more gender-equal society, not only by setting an example but also by raising awareness as to changing practices and being proactive. Selected excerpts from the discussions.

Organised at the initiative of KEDGE Entrepreneurship, the round table welcomed Minister Moreno. Actions taken by KEDGE and its objectives on the issue of gender parity in business were highlighted, as were the challenges to be overcome that remain.

Mr de Navailles reiterated KEDGE's societal role and detailed the school's ambitious programme on these issues, which is based on a three-pronged approach. He provided examples of some of the school’s initiatives: 

• Leading by example as a school and as an organisation: KEDGE has set itself the goal of reaching a parity index of 90 by 2025, in line with its pledge to be an original, sustainable and inclusive school,
• Educating young people and acculturating them through courses on gender and business ethics, adapted training (such as an executive education programme set up with the International Women's Forum on women's leadership and women at the heart of boards), as well as a comprehensive series of actions (such as preparing female students for professional interviews and salary negotiations) and training of student associations in the challenges of achieving parity, (including signing the BNEM (National Office of Students in Management Schools) charter against sexist discrimination at school).
• Playing our role in society: KEDGE recently signed the Charter on Diversity, and actively participated in the Gender Equality and the Open Diplomacy Generation Equality forums in preparation for the UN Women's Forum. 

In addition to the creation by KEDGE of an inclusiveness index to measure the performance of its actions, Anicia Jaegler - recently appointed Associate Dean for Inclusiveness, a first for business schools in France - reminded us of the school’s responsibility in guiding young women towards gendered training and professions. "Gender bias is established from early childhood, but it is possible to move the lines through role models who encourage female students to go further.” 

The role of entrepreneurs is to reach out to young women and show them that everything is possible. This will have a multiplier effect that will collectively allow society to move more quickly towards change, which is part of KEDGE's mission. 

The Minister said, "When we talk about parity, let's not pick the wrong battle, it's a matter of social justice so that all women who want to have the opportunity to succeed in the same way as others. We must break down preconceived ideas, I want there to be as many women in so-called “men's jobs” as men in so-called “women's jobs” because jobs don't have a gender”. 

During the debate, Fatou N'Diaye, President of The Wonders and a KEDGE graduate observed that "Women lack courage. They must become aware that it’s possible to attain positions of responsibilities, and they need to surround themselves with allies to achieve this ". 

Julien Benayoum, KEDGE graduate and co-founder of Lita.co, noted that "in general, when it comes to hiring, women have a much more conservative approach. This calls for awareness, daring and courage. We must act for the generations to come". 

Aby Sene - a student at the KEDGE’s Ecole Entrepreneuriale, and Clémence Tilly - a student in the MSc in Innovation, Transformation and Entrepreneurship programme at KEDGE, both have entrepreneurial projects. They’ve observed that harassment is still too prevalent in companies and have noted a lack of female entrepreneurs compared to the number of male entrepreneurs. 

At KEDGE, entrepreneurship is an accelerator of this observation and the school is increasing its initiatives. A more diverse team makes it possible to impact ecosystems, to better understand them, and to develop new solutions to problems to overcome social or equality barriers.

Per Anil Benard-Dendé, Deputy Managing Director of KEDGE, "inclusion is a driving force for business leaders. Companies are more effective when they are more diverse and open". He added, "Our biggest impact will be evident in the 4,000 students who graduate from the school each year. Their behaviour in companies tomorrow will let us make a difference. "

To conclude, Mr de Navailles expressed a "somewhat provocative wish” to the Minister: “that your Ministry will soon no longer exist. The issue will only really be successfully tackled when we are no longer talking about it".

The entire exchange can be found on the KEDGE Youtube channel

The press kit can be downloaded on KEDGE.edu

Watch the round-table here

PRESS RELEASE