Insights on Women in Leadership – from ‘Alice Asks Event
This year’s panel, titled ‘Women’s Leadership and Privilege: Who Gets a Seat at the Table’, featured prominent figures including:
- Margaret Curran, Member of the House of Lords and lifelong women’s rights activist;
- Nisha Tandon OBE, Founder and Director of ArtsEkta and the Belfast Mela Festival;
- Roseann Kelly MBE, CEO of The WiB Group / Women in Business NI; and
- Teresa Buczkowska, Polish Irish migrant rights campaigner.
The event was moderated by Alice CEO, Martina Quinn, MPRII.
The panel discussed the increasing number of women in leadership roles and emphasised the need for these opportunities to be accessible to all women across various sectors. They also explored the influence of privilege on their careers.
Key points raised included:
- It is important to use Plain English and accessible language in progressive campaigns to avoid alienating audiences.
- Men can and must play a key role in promoting gender equality – that male role models and leaders need to publicly support and champion women.
- The education system can play a key role in encouraging more diverse young women into entrepreneurship.
- There is a need for everyone to recognise and challenge biases – to avoid a condescending approach when seeking to support women from under-represented groups.
- It is the responsibility of current women leaders to support and make room for others.
