National Focal Point Spain

Women Promotion

The second edition of the Promociona project begins

 An official event chaired by CEOE president and Norwegian Ambassador in Spain marks the start of the second edition of a project which is proving to be a considerable success, not only for the first edition outcomes but also for the large number of applications.

11.11.2014

Have it been equality between men and women in Europe, GDP would increase by 14%, according to a International Monetary Fund (IMF) report. For that reason, all the steps towards equality are not a question of social justice, but of profitability.

One of these measures is Promociona Project, operated by CEOE (the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organizations), within the EEA Grants Gender Equality Programme, that is just starting its second edition after the first 'success.

“Women participation in business is something logical and natural”, pointed out CEOE president, Juan Rosell, in the Academic Presentation Event of the second edition of a project whose aim is to encourage a higher number of women executives on Steering Committees and Boards of Directors through a comprehensive training and mentoring plan for 40 women, with the collaboration of a prestigious business school, ESADE. On the other hand, Norwegian Ambassador, Johan Christopher Vibe, highlighted the positive effects of the Quota Law in his country, which have made possible to increase the number of women on Boards to 40,7% in 2014 from 6% in 2002, and much better prepared. “However, this Law is not enough, the current business mentality have to be changed, and projects like Promociona are on this path”.

This second edition sponsors are Patricia Abril, Vice-president for Business Development in McDonald’s Europe, and Ignacio Garralda, president of Mutua Madrileña. Abril highlighted that despite the progress towards equality, all of us should make an effort. “Society, helping to alleviate the feeling of guilt because of women participation in labour market; companies, harnessing new technologies to foster flexibility; and women, managing our fears and showing what we can do”, said.

Finally, Garralda said that, according to some reports, women on Boards in crisis situations help to motivate teams. “Moreover, women provides more caution in risk management”, pointed out.

40 women took part in the Promociona Project first edition. Four of them have been promoted in their companies, because companies should give their support to their candidates but also ‘supply’ a mentor. What the first participants notes as the most positive is the personal experience: from the excellent training to the integration in a group sharing problems and concerns.