Port Louis, February 27: Workplace equity cannot simply be declared; it must be built. Day after day, it takes shape through behaviors, decisions, and a culture fostered by leadership.
This was the theme of a panel discussion organised to mark International Women’s Day by the ABC Banking, in collaboration with Board of Good, on Thursday, February 26, at Les Suites by The Docks in Port Louis.
The panel discussion, focusing on ‘Equity strengthens leadership, Inclusion strengthens performance’, was led by the former banking executive and founder of the consulting firm Ylead, Jeremy Stockdale, widely recognised for his commitment to gender equality and inclusive leadership.
He was joined by engaged professionals, including the Gender Economist and Head of the Charles Telfair Centre Dr Myriam Blin; Founder and CEO of Board of Good, Natacha Emilien; and the Head of Treasury at ABC Banking, Anju Benimadhu.
The event stressed the experiences of the panel members and featured concrete examples illustrating how these leaders have implemented inclusive practices within their organisations. Discussions also centred on the various challenges, while at the same time, shedding light on the strategies adopted to create more equitable working environments.
Dr Myriam Blin opened the discussion by emphasising the persistent inequality in the distribution of unpaid work, noting that true equity cannot be achieved without a rebalancing of roles within the household.
She also stressed the need to tackle four major issues simultaneously: the lack of comprehensive national data on women in the workforce, women’s limited access to decision-making positions, the persistence of gender-based violence, and the gender pay gap.
While Natacha Emilien underscored that any lasting shift in mindset must be driven by leadership. According to her, cultural transformation must begin at the top of the organisation and progressively anchor itself at all levels, notably through the behaviour of leaders in boardrooms and meetings.
She also stressed the importance of a shift in mindset among women, so that they can move beyond traditionally assigned roles and fully assert themselves in the decision-making spaces.
Emilien further noted that the belief that women must choose between career and family life is outdated and should no longer exist. She advocated for a model in which professional ambition, leadership, and personal balance can and must co-exist.
For Anju Benimadhu, equity carries real weight when it is demonstrated in tangible and measurable actions. She emphasised that equity is built in the everyday functioning of teams: how responsibilities are allocated, how performance is assessed, and how individual contributions are recognised.
In her view, it is the responsibility of leaders to establish transparent and consistent frameworks to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to speak up and to progress. She has also reaffirmed her personal commitment to breaking stereotypes by ensuring that every voice within her team is heard and valued, regardless of gender.
Drawing on more than 27 years of experience in the banking sector before focusing on inclusive leadership, Jeremy Stockdale shared his perspective: “A nation progresses through the empowerment of women. Building equitable workplaces is not only a moral imperative, but also a driver of performance and innovation.”
According to him, the women on this panel already embody significant change within their respective professional fields.
Following the success of a similar event in 2025, ABC Banking sought to reaffirm its commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within the financial sector.
