ÉDITORIAL – What is measured is done!

On October 5th 2017, the « Weinstein Affair » broke out. A very important event that partly contributed to the freedom of speech. Since then, every day around the world, women have denounced the sexual violence and intolerable pain they suffer or have suffered in their personal and professional lives.

I believe that awareness of gender inequality is growing: it is an issue that is increasingly apparent in the public debate, the media and companies. There is noticeable progress. The example of companies’ Boards of Directors in France is impressive: in 2019 we count 44.9% female directors in SBF 120 companies, compared to 14.8% in 2011. This remarkable result was not achieved by chance: the 2011 Copé-Zimmerman law forced companies to tackle this issue…the results are there… What is measured is done!

We will not transform Society simply by relying on goodwill. For it is a matter of profound societal change. We live in a world that has been shaped by men, where culture, education and stereotypes are considerable obstacles to change. Moreover, for the future, some people are warning us of the danger that Artificial Intelligence as currently conceived might perpetuate this model.

To accelerate change, I am convinced that we need to set targets and measure progress. The example of Boards of Directors proves that companies are a key driver of change.

Today, one of the fundamental issues remains the participation of women in management committees. In 2019, for the CAC 40 companies alone, the average is only 18.4%… Without genuine conviction and measurable objectives, progress will not be commensurate with the stakes. The subject is difficult, it will take time, but in today’s world is the excuse of time still acceptable? The fight for more diversity and respect for differences is fundamental if we want to progress towards a more balanced, more inclusive society that meets the expectations of new generations.

By Michel Landel, Sponsor of the Gender Balance Observatory, Member of the Board of Directors of ICR and independent administrator.