PLEDGE
The Women on Boards Initiative Adria (WOBA) was launched under the auspices of the Western Balkans ESG Summit to support and drive greater inclusion of women in boardrooms of companies in Adria region. One of its main goals is breaking down entry barriers. Empowered by resilience of young women and girls navigating their careers in both social and corporate landscapes we were inspired to create our first initiative Gender Diverse Panels for Inclusive Discussions.
Our Gender Equality Champions. So far, the Pledge is signed by:
Bogdan Gecić, Founder and Managing Partner, Gecić Law
Branko Kecman, CEO of Advantis Broker
Christoper Sheldon, World Bank Country manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro
Edward Ferguson, UK Ambassador to Serbia
Goran Svilanović, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/State Union of Serbia and Montenegro
Julian Reilly, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ledi Bianku, Judge of the Constitutional Court of BiH and former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights
Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS)
Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at International Finance Corporation
Ognjen Colić, Partner and the Head of Corporate/ M&A practice at Gecić Law
Ognjen Janeski, Council of Europe and EU’s No Hate Speech Ambassador for Western Balkans, TV Personality and Editor-at-Large
Robert Spano, Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and former President of the European Court of Human Rights
Alastair King-Smith
British Ambassador to Albania
Achieving panel parity is not only about fairness, but it is also about utilising the power of diverse perspectives and experiences. Women truly bring invaluable insights and expertise to the table, enriching the quality of discussions and ensuring well-rounded and meaningful conclusions.
I’m thrilled to share that I have joined the Women on Boards Adria initiative, which aims to increase women’s representation in the region’s corporate decision-making. I believe that gender diversity and inclusion are vital for better outcomes and innovation, and I pledge to advocate for them in every event I organize or participate in.
I am proud to share that I have taken a firm stand against manels (all-male panel discussions) and signed the pledge for Gender Diverse Panels for Inclusive Discussions initiated by Women on Boards Adria. It is crucial that we advocate for women’s representation and strive for inclusive dialogue in all professional settings.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful initiative, a cause that I wholeheartedly believe in and have passionately championed for decades. It is an honor to endorse and support the Women on Boards Adria initiative, and I invite you all to join in saying “no” to panel discussions where only men speak, and to support inclusive and diverse discussions.
We all have a responsibility to ensure that women are given the same opportunities as men. More equal societies are fairer, more stable, and make better decisions. This pledge reflects my strong belief that women and men are equally intelligent, skilled, talented and that their opinions matter just as much. I am pleased to be joining a growing band of colleagues who are making this important pledge.
I am proud to announce that I have signed the Women on Boards Adria Pledge “Gender Diverse Panels for Inclusive Discussions”. By signing this pledge, I reiterate my commitment to supporting the inclusion of women in panel discussions, debates, and other professional and/or academic events.
I believe that inclusive discussions are essential for better decision-making, and gender balance on panels is a crucial step towards achieving that. By signing the pledge, I commit that I will advocate for the representation of women and strive for inclusive discussions in every professional and/or academic event I organise or partake in.
Judge of the Constitutional Court of BiH and former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights
In fact, excluding women from panels and discussions not only diminishes the diversity of perspectives but also perpetuates discrimination. Women bring unique insights, experiences, and expertise that enrich the debate and lead to more effective and well-rounded findings and decisions. It is essential that we actively promote and implement gender-inclusive practices, starting with the composition of panels at professional and/ or academic events.
Faced with stigmatisation and archaic gender role beliefs in the region, it is no wonder more and more women are choosing to move and build their careers somewhere where their talents won’t be diminished and unappreciated.
So why is Western Balkans falling behind? Lack of women in leadership positions, gender pay gap, societal norms imposing workplace barriers and discrimination are just some of the issues women still face in their careers. Willingness to address these issues has to come from both an institutional and personal level.
This is a commitment to a cause I deeply believe in. Research has shown that more women in leadership correlate with higher ESG standards, leading to improved business performance and inclusive economic growth. I am grateful to Women on Boards Adria for this opportunity to emphasize the importance of corporate governance and diversity in leadership positions.
As someone who frequently participates in panel discussions, domestic and international, as a moderator or panelist, and with my role as the Council of Europe and EU’s No Hate Speech Ambassador for Western Balkans, I believe this initiative holds immense importance, particularly for our region.
Inclusive discussions where men and women take an equal part in forging pluralism of perspectives, viewpoints and experiences are the keys to reliable and successful outcomes in all walks of life.
Let’s all work together to amplify the voices of women!
