ABB strives for gender equality and empowerment for all
ABB’s Diversity & Inclusion 2030 targets include 50% university hires, 25% women in ABB leadership (19% by 2025), well established policies that enable an environment of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity, a yearly improvement of the inclusion score in the employees’ engagement survey, and providing access to employee resource and affinity groups that seek to promote an environment of acceptance and inclusion.
ABB believes that solving some of the biggest global challenges of our time is only possible through exceptional people who work every day, towards this endeavour. A culture of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity is critical for business success.
Versha Rowjee is a B-BBEE and Transformation Manager at ABB, overseeing the scorecard and ensuring compliance, a role that has kept her engaged for 11 years to date. She highlights that ABB has a focus on gender equality and women empowerment from a holistic group perspective.
This global drive to empower women has seen processes put in place in terms of career discussions and development of women in the organisation. There is also a clear progression of women taking up top management and executive leadership roles right up to board level, including both softer skills and technical roles.
Versha says her ability and passion for diversity and inclusion is a role she has embraced with enthusiasm and excitement, and she has never looked back. A particular highlight from a personal and professional perspective was representing ABB at a diversity conference in India and facilitating a panel discussion. “I was just blown away by the opportunity and experience I gained from this international platform of multinational companies,” she recalls.
There is an aspect of women empowerment that is often neglected, Versha highlights. “The most vulnerable women in the economy and in society must be brought to the fore and onto the agenda, namely the social and economic inclusion of women with disabilities.” These women face significantly greater challenges in accessing education, healthcare, housing, and employment, and tragically are also at higher risk of abuse and violence.
Versha’s advice is to never stop learning from everyone around you, including people of all races, gender, age, and ability. “We live and work in a global environment, and one way to remain relevant is by engaging as much as possible with an open mind. Use every opportunity to learn from experienced people around you and from young and innovative people,” she adds. “My view is that diversity in thinking and practice is the key to success in the global economy, and we must be agile enough to be able to adapt in this fast-paced changing world. I am also a firm believer that it is most important to remain true and authentic to who you are.”
Lindie Koldas, Motion and Robotics Local Business Area CFO, explains that ABB is at the forefront of numerous first-in-class initiatives. “However, we are very aware it takes time to have it ingrained in everything we say and do every day. ABB is transparent in closing the gaps as it strives to achieve the ultimate goal of gender equality and empowerment for all.”
As a female leader, Lindie is an example of what is possible. “I grew up with strong female roles in my family,” she adds. As an activist, she has always been involved with the empowerment of women, while as a single parent she has the added responsibility of raising two boys to be well-balanced males in a society striving to be sensitive to women’s rights.
Professionally, she has a passion for mentoring and is therefore involved with the ABB Internship Programme. “Shaping the youth is shaping the future of the world,” she says. This means striking a balance between the wisdom of those of us who have made it through various challenges and youngsters who are eager and brave to learn and lead the way. “This is such an important thread in sustainable workforce development,” highlights Lindie.
“Actively recruiting females in all roles is a must and we continue to do so at ABB,” she notes. Lindie adds that typical male dominated qualifications also need to be marketed in such a way that engineering, health and safety and technical roles are no longer areas that women will not even consider when applying for tertiary education.
Her advice is to look for strong role models in society and to believe in the contribution you can make as a female participant in anything you do, both professionally and personally. “It comes within and from yourself as a first step. Believe in continuous learning, no matter how difficult it is at times. Whether you enrol for formal courses or teach yourself, always expand your mind and broaden your horizons. Exposing yourself to others who teach and mentor opens a whole new world of possibilities and different mindsets,” says Lindie.
“Being proud of who I am and what I have achieved as a person has been a long, sometimes bumpy, road. My mindset of always being okay, no matter what life throws my way, has taken me through obstacles and challenges that at times have felt impossible to overcome. I wish for every woman to have the inner strength needed to overcome and conquer and to stand proud and tall,” concludes Lindie.
ENDS
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
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Ofentse Dijoe Andile Mbethe
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