A DELEGATION of business federations and associations has shown remarkable unity of spirit and cause in a Northern Ireland-wide bid to secure some kind of concession from Westminster in its proposed EU withdrawal agreement which would protect our economy from the expected ravages of an otherwise chaotic departure from the European single market and customs union.
Women in Business NI has played a quiet part in this work to lend its support to the rest of the business community. We are all singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to outlining the impossible challenges facing local businesses in regards to its haulage sector, agri-food industry, manufacturing and services.
Women in Business represents more than 2,000 members who lead, manage and work in these sectors and while these members are mainly women, a growing number of men can see the broader picture.
This picture includes a Northern Ireland economy where gender bias is a thing of the past and in which women face fewer barriers to becoming entrepreneurs, employers and business leaders.
Before the Brexit shadow loomed, and the collapse of the Stormont Assembly swallowed up any hope of political progress, moves by Women in Business included lobbying government to create policies aimed at encouraging female entrepreneurship.
In the US we have seen how policy driven by corporations is helping create a more level playing field for men and women at senior management level in particular. The well known diagram which shows parity of employment and indeed pay among genders at the manual and unskilled levels also shows a dramatic fall-off of women and increased gender pay gaps as we move up the organisational structures.
In a recent BBC Radio Ulster news radio debate, findings were analysed as follows: there are fewer women in the work force as you climb up the seniority scale because men work longer hours, make themselves available for promotion and are generally more aggressive and imaginative. This was accepted as a given by those debating the subject.
What was not mentioned was the onus placed on women when it comes to raising families and taking on care duties. What was not mentioned was how it remains okay to compare women by men’s standards. As long as there is an assumption that women should take care of and raise families while the men can entertain their ambitions, this is not likely to change.
The message that more women are completing their education with professional qualifications than ever before and in many sectors, in greater numbers than men, was starting to be heard at Stormont.
Progress was being made for women. But this is now on indefinite hold as we revert to panic stations, “manning the fort” in the face of huge uncertainty and Women in Business finds its agenda relegated.
The impact of this will have long term consequences on Northern Ireland’s economy to rehabilitate itself after Brexit. The loss of impetus in the struggle for equality of opportunity will be felt for a long time as we revert to form.
:: Joris Minne is a board member of Women in Business NI
