We are proud to participate in the Women Empowerment event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce. At Menity, we are committed to making a difference for gender equality."
This event is a unique opportunity for us to connect with influential thought leaders and industry experts, share ideas and best practices, and make a meaningful contribution to the cause of gender equality.
The composition of the event audience was diverse and reflected a broad range of job levels. Results from the event survey indicated that:
16% of attendees were C-level executives
51% were senior managers
24% were mid-senior level, and
9% were at the junior level
First up, we delved into advancing women's participation in leadership and politics in Slovakia. These important conversations explored ways to break down barriers and promote gender equality in these spheres.
Advancing Women's Participation in Leading Positions and Political Culture in Slovakia.
According to the UN Women, women's political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. It facilitates women's direct engagement in public decision-making. Women's participation in politics affects both the range of policy issues that get considered and the types of solutions that are proposed. Studies show that whether a legislator is male or female has a distinct impact on their policy priorities.
According to AmCham, at the same time, in Slovakia, only 21% of parliament members are women, whereas the European average is 33%. Women in public and political functions face significantly more harassment and hateful comments on social media than their male counterparts.
In this panel, panelists discussed the importance of female political representation, the obstacles women face in politics, and how to encourage more women to strive for leading positions in the private and public spheres.
Fireside chat: Protecting LGBTQ+ people and their rights, best practices, and tips from the private sector on ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
Both speakers discussed and shared their experiences, thoughts, and perspectives on the role of corporate policies and initiatives in promoting LGBTQ inclusivity in the workplace and addressing workplace discrimination.
Examining the impact of government policies and laws on LGBTQ communities and advocating for equal rights and protections, highlighting best practices and success stories of collaboration between the private sector and NGOs in promoting LGBTQ inclusion and fostering a more inclusive society.
Healthy Women and Women in Healthcare: Ensuring Access to Quality Healthcare for All
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare workers to resilient health systems and global health security. According to the WHO, women hold 70% of health worker jobs globally and are 90% of nurses. The pandemic has exposed deep inequalities undermining health systems, including gender inequality within the health workforce.
According to AmCham sources, despite women making up 50 percent of the population, women have been underrepresented in clinical trials and research, with not enough information about female-specific issues; furthermore, women tend to be misdiagnosed more often. Even though women live longer than men, they spend more of their lives in ill health and disability, with growing geographic inequalities in women's life expectancy.
In this panel, panelists discussed the lack of gender-specific data about the state of women's health and access to healthcare in Slovakia and the absence of a comprehensive strategy for women's health.
Photo and text credits: AmCham Slovakia, Menity