Forward Ladies Launches Inaugural List of Advocates for Change in Gender Equality
Forward Ladies – the leading global platform supporting and empowering women in business – has released its first annual list of advocates for change in gender equality.
A total of 21 individuals have been recognised for their advocacy work in championing inclusion and gender equality from a diverse cross-section of industry. Many of those named have led campaigns to drive gender equality or raise awareness of key issues that women face in society and the workplace, or have played an integral role in building communities where women can thrive. Others have been recognised for their ongoing commitment to donating their time and expertise to charities and social enterprises that themselves support gender equality.
Forward Ladies CEO Griselda Togobo commented, “All the individuals recognised in this inaugural Forward Ladies Advocate of Change list are championing and accelerating gender equity and the inclusion agenda by leveraging their power and network to drive impactful change within their organisations and the wider industry.”
Forward Ladies Advocates for Change in Gender Equality 2023:
- Nazir Afzal OBE, University of Manchester
- Catherine Asta, Catherine Asta Consulting Ltd
- Anne Boden MBE, Starling Bank
- Claire-Marie Boggiano, Lurig Ltd
- Lisa Kelly, BTC Chemical Distribution
- Pinky Lilani, CBE DL, Women of the Future
- Tessy Ojo CBE, Diana Award
- Gordon Pitman, GKN Aerospace
- Dame Anne Richards DBE, Fidelity International
- Simone Roche MBE, Northern Power Women
- Professor Eleanor Shaw OBE, University of Strathclyde
- Mary Ann Sieghart
- Anna Keeling, Boeing
- Roni Savage, Jomas Associates
- Jacqueline De Rojas CBE, techUK
- Jhumar Johnson, The Open University
- Ann Cairns
- Prerana Issar, NHS
- Akima Paul Lambert, Hogan Lovells
- Sahar Hashemi OBE, Buy Women Built
- Vanessa Vallely OBE, We Are The City
- Richard Pickard, Inclusive Search
The launch of the Forward Ladies Advocates for Change list comes at a crucial time, as the United Nations warns that at the current rate of progress, gender inequality will remain for centuries to come.
Achieving gender equality for women and girls is goal five of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which form the Sustainable Development Agenda to be achieved by 2030. Its “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): The Gender Snapshot 2022” report cites the COVID-19 pandemic, backwards steps in women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, violent conflict and climate change as exacerbating gender inequality.
Ms Togobo added, “It is important that all people are able to feel a sense of belonging and feel empowered to succeed and achieve career success at all levels of an organisation and from all communities. That is the way we create a future that is sustainable and works for everyone. These advocates are the drivers of change, without whom real progress will not be made.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.forwardladies.com/home/advocates/