Andreea Negru, PEFA: “It is not enough just to have women in management positions, we need women-friendly policies”

“The female perspective on the business environment and sustainable development has always attracted attention by its predilection for cooperation and understanding, instead of competition and victory at any cost. It also implies a dedication to communication and community rather than conflict and self-assertion as a model of leadership. Although their low weight in the decision-making process has remained a controversial topic in the specialized literature, with significant improvements over time, the impact created by female management or female orientation has often attracted paradigm changes in the economy,” Andreea Negru, president of PEFA said during the „Economic Trends 2024 Conference”, organized by the European Business Women’s Patronage (PEFA) together with the Association for the Promotion of Local Entrepreneurship (ADAA).

“Economists are generally men. Company directors are generally men. University professors in the field of economics are generally men, only 20% of the European academic environment is represented by women. In the United States only 15%. However, these gaps are improving. At the European level, from an average of 10-12% weight in the 2010s, currently female leadership has already exceeded an average of 30%. It is not enough just to have women in management positions, there is a need for women -friendly policies, economic policies inspired by women, based on cooperation and integration of employees. Many of the issues related to gender equality are recognized worldwide and economic policies seem to be competing to remedy them. An example comes from an unexpected place: in Jordan, the participation of women in the labour market is expected to double by 2030.

As a final statistic of women’s performance worldwide, we can add that over the past ten years, the increase in women’s employment in the workforce has increased the value of the world’s production of goods and services more than it has China’s contribution.

The year 2024 promises to be a year full of challenges, but also of enormous opportunities, regardless of gender, in terms of economic development. It is essential that we, representatives of various economic sectors, be proactive in adapting to these trends and invest in innovation, sustainability, digitization, education, and international collaboration. Through these actions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive economic future for all.”

(P)