Equal opportunity and equal treatment in the labour market are at the core of decent work. Unfortunately, women around the world still face additional hurdles to access employment, and once in employment, to access decision-making positions and jobs in certain sectors or of certain characteristics. This horizontal and vertical gender segregation of employment, combined with the unequal distribution of unpaid work (including household and childcare activities), results in differences in working conditions such as the gender pay gap and the over-representation of women in part-time jobs.
Gender equality is crucial to economic growth and sustainable development. It is recognized as a cross-cutting objective within the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, and as a key goal within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In fact, Goal 5 of the SDGs is devoted specifically to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, but gender equality is also mainstreamed throughout the other sixteen goals.
International Women’s Day has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about women’s equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to forge gender parity. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive.
The Bioeconomy is the meta-sector where women are playing a crucial role. The bio economy is led by women. This year, as every year, for the International Women’s Day, we dedicate a tribute to all women who are making the bioeconomy happen all around the world. With their huge competences and their infinite passion, they are the stars of the world bioeconomy. Our best and warmest wishes to all women.
This is just a partial list:
Minna Aila, SVP Neste (EU)
Ylwa Alwarsdotter, Executive VP Sekab (EU)
Iris Aquilina Anderson, leader of the Bioladies Network (UK)
Enrica Arena, CEO at Orange Fiber (EU)
Inge Arents, Director at Flanders’ FOOD (EU)
Catia Bastioli, CEO at Novamont (EU)
Sofie Carsten Nielsen, Director at European Biosolutions Coalition (EU)
Véronique de Bruijn, CEO at Photanol (EU)
Giulia Gregori, Strategic Planning and Corporate Communication Manager of Novamont (EU)
Carina Håkansson, DG at The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (EU)
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO at Lanzatech (USA)
Virginia Klausmeier, CEO at Sylvatex (USA)
Agata Kotkowska, Deputy Head of Unit at EU Commission (EU)
Christine Lang, chairwoman at German Bioeconomy Council (EU)
Katrien Molders, Communication manager at BioBase Europe Pilot Plant (EU)
Electra Papadopoulou, co-founder Greek Bioeconomy Forum (EU)
Virginia Puzzolo, Head of Programme at CBE JU (EU)
Theodora Retsina, CEO at American Process (USA)
Tatjana Schwabe-Markovic, Senior Project Manager at Clib (EU)
Meaghan Seagrave, CEO at BioIndustrial Innovation Canada (Canada)
Kathryn Sheridan, CEO at Sustainability Consult (EU)
Claire Skentelbery, Director General at EuropaBio (EU)
Mariagiovanna Vetere, Global Public Affairs at NatureWorks (USA)
Mari Walls, President and CEO at Natural Resources Institute Finland (EU)
Alex Ward, President at Origin Materials (Canada/USA)
Marie Wheat, Industry Economist at USDA BioPreferred Program (USA)
Eleni Zika, Strategic Advisor at ERC (EU)
IL BIOECONOMISTA 