Léa Léger-Zurfluh: “The need, even today, to combat gender-based discrimination and sexist stereotypes”

What motivates your commitment to gender equality in general and to the “Un Une” Parity Network in particular?

First, the ongoing need to combat gender-based discrimination and sexist stereotypes. This is the foundation for ensuring that everyone considers it perfectly normal for women to have professional careers on par with those of men. This is an ongoing effort that begins in early childhood—one in which schools play a key role—and must continue in all areas of our lives, including, of course, the workplace.

How do you put this commitment into practice in your day-to-day work?

To combat the glass ceiling—which causes the number of women to dwindle as one moves up the organizational hierarchy—we pay particular attention to gender diversity in our talent pools. We must ensure that both women and men with equivalent skills and potential are properly identified, even if not everyone promotes themselves in the same way. We must then carefully manage career progression, particularly promotions.

What message would you like to convey to women and men of all ages and from all walks of life to encourage them to work toward gender diversity?

I want women to know and see, through real role models who look like them, that taking on responsibilities doesn’t mean giving up a personal life.